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Around SBN: Carmelo Anthony, Amar'e Stoudemire Vow To Fit In With Lin

The Disappearance of Reid Brignac

The season started off so promising for Reid Brignac. In April, he sported a .334 wOBA and then followed that with a .373 in May. He even drew nine walks combined over those two months, which is a lot considering he has racked up just seven more in June, July, and August. The month of June didn't see Brignac fare particularly well - his wOBA for the month was .253 - but the same could be said of just about everyone on the offense. His plate appearances over the first three months fall right in line with what one would expect from a platoon player: 44, 74, 71. However, the last two months have seen his PAs fall to 55 in July and just 34 in August. What was once a solid shortstop platoon has transformed into a one-man band with Jason Bartlett beating the drum.

Take a look at the games in August in which the Rays have faced a right handed starting pitcher (in reverse order) , and which player of Brignac and Bartlett has started:

1. Lackey: Bartlett

2. Buccholz: Bartlett

3. Haren: Brignac

4. Santana: Bartlett

5. Mazarro: Bartlett

6. Cahill: Brignac

7. Hunter: Bartlett

8. Arrietta: Bartlett

9. Guthrie: Brignac

10. Verlander: Bartlett

11. Scherzer: Bartlett

12. Galarraga: Bartlett

13. Morrow: Bartlett

14. Slowey: Brignac

15. Baker: Bartlett

16. Pavano: Brignac at 2B, Bartlett at SS

That's 16 games, with Brignac getting the start at shortstop four times and second base once. Jason Bartlett, he of the career .691 OPS and .307 wOBA, started the other 12 times. Though it's a much smaller sample size, 318 PA, Brignac has a .723 OPS and .313 wOBA vs RHP. Brignac also has the advantage of unquestionably being the better defender. So then what is keeping him planted on the bench?

There isn't one correct answer to that question. His August numbers aren't lending much support to his cause. Granted, it's a very small sample size of 34 PA, but these numbers are far from inspiring: 2.9% BB, 40.6% K, .156/.176/.156 slash line, .250 BABIP, and a .143 wOBA. What seems to be a main cause behind those uninspiring numbers is Brignac's 10.0% line drive rate (LD%) and 50.0% fly ball rate (FB%). In Brignac's previous bad month, June, his FB% was also 50.0 while it fluctuated between 32%-37% in his good months of April, May, and July. His LD% had also never dipped below 21.4% and never rose above 23.7% in any previous month. A .250 BABiP certainly doesn't help things, but when you're hitting fly balls in half of your plate appearances it's hard to expect it to be much higher. It's likely a combination of bad luck and bad approach, but needless to say, Brignac needs to work on keeping the ball down if he hopes to see his numbers improve.

Another factor could simply be Joe Maddon's preference to have the veteran presence of Bartlett in the lineup during the season’s stretch run. I can't confirm if that's true, but from the usage of the two players over the past month it's not outside the realm of possibility. Bartlett has gotten 102 PAs in August, triple that of Brignac, and has put up a .292 wOBA against RHP over that time. He's been worth 0.6 WAR up to this point, while Brignac is at 0.9 in significantly less PAs. I’m not trying to disparage Bartlett; he is what he is at this point, a below average defender who hits well against left handed pitching. A player like that has value. But a player like Brignac has value too, and it’s being wasted in the way he’s being used.

There is one month left in the season and the Rays are in a dog fight for the division title. Even though the shortstop position is arguably the weakest on the team, they’re likely going to need to squeeze every last bit of production out of each position to come out on top. If the Rays feel like giving a significant amount of September at bats to Bartlett then I’ll wish him the best and hope he succeeds. However, Brignac is not as bad as his August numbers look, and if given more than 34 PAs this month he should produce close to or above his normal level. The Rays would be better off for it.

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With Brignac, like all young players, he needs PT

And consistent playing time. You can’t throw him in once a week and expect he’ll build consistency. But that is his role at this point since Maddon’s going with Barty, for better or worse. I’m assuming that won’t be the case next year when the reins are handed over to Brignac.

by raysfaninminnesota on Sep 1, 2010 10:23 AM EDT reply actions  

I remember hearing people say Maddon would play Briggy more once the trade deadline passed.

That hasn’t worked out to be true, but I suppose the bright side of this is maybe it helps Bartlett’s trade value this off-season.

I love Casey Fossum. Now try and take me seriously.

by Steve Slowinski on Sep 1, 2010 10:26 AM EDT reply actions  

Briggy's early season #'s were unsustainable

Chasing all over the place, with a BABIP near .400. Given his K% increase it seems teams learned how to beat him via scouting reports. High fastballs.

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by FreeZorilla on Sep 1, 2010 10:34 AM EDT reply actions  

And that over .400 BABIP month was his one good month.

Unless he finds the power or can sustain a pretty high BABIP his hackish ways are going to make him a below average offensive player.

by kurby on Sep 1, 2010 10:51 AM EDT up reply actions  

And his season BABIP is still beyond his AAA #'s

MLB typically has better defense

Follow Me on Twitter @FreeZorilla

by FreeZorilla on Sep 1, 2010 10:54 AM EDT up reply actions  

Could June have been his true talent level?

The caller said the boy, after removing the bulb from its socket, left the building and threw the bulb on the ground. When the bulb broke, the caller said the boy screamed "Free the slaves at traffic stops from false arrest and jury fixing"

by Top Gun Numba 1 on Sep 1, 2010 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions  

Could June have been his "300 game?"

The caller said the boy, after removing the bulb from its socket, left the building and threw the bulb on the ground. When the bulb broke, the caller said the boy screamed "Free the slaves at traffic stops from false arrest and jury fixing"

by Top Gun Numba 1 on Sep 1, 2010 4:32 PM EDT up reply actions  

CHONE has no place projecting rookies

If this works, I want the copywrite and patent on the statistic.

Follow me: @SandyKazmir, read me @ Dockoftherays.com, feel me whenever you want.

by Sandy Kazmir on Sep 1, 2010 12:31 PM EDT up reply actions  

I was thinking of Marcels, thanks.

If this works, I want the copywrite and patent on the statistic.

Follow me: @SandyKazmir, read me @ Dockoftherays.com, feel me whenever you want.

by Sandy Kazmir on Sep 1, 2010 2:06 PM EDT up reply actions  

Based on his minor league numbers i question whether he'll ever be

a productive hitter, and especially a decent OBP player

follow me on twitter @sternfan10

by sternfan1 on Sep 1, 2010 11:12 AM EDT reply actions  

Brignac's season line is still better than Bartlett's.

They are two players going in opposite directions for their careers. I prefer playing Briggy now versus RHP, but I can see the argument for playing Barty in hopes of keeping his trade value decent. If he’s the starter at short next year, I’ll cry though. I see no reason Briggy can’t at least enjoy a career of equal success to Bartlett. His approach will imporve, and he’s already been a bout a league average hitter with a good glove at short.

by rglass44 on Sep 1, 2010 11:17 AM EDT reply actions  

I agree

I definitely would like to see Reid get his shot next year. But I feel Bartlett helps the team more now, even vs RHP. Reid has looked lost the past few months.

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by FreeZorilla on Sep 1, 2010 11:22 AM EDT up reply actions  

I don't think he does

He did look lost earlier this season which potentially could be attributable to his hammy injury.

Follow Me on Twitter @FreeZorilla

by FreeZorilla on Sep 1, 2010 11:31 AM EDT up reply actions  

Because player's generally get better in that regard with experience.

Think about the gains made by CC who was a terrible hacker at first, but while still hacky has really improved in that regard. Compare CC’s numbers his first couple years to where Reid is now, and you’ll see a lot of similarities.

by rglass44 on Sep 1, 2010 12:48 PM EDT up reply actions  

This was a troll

But seriously, Crawford had/has far superior contact skills.

Follow Me on Twitter @FreeZorilla

by FreeZorilla on Sep 1, 2010 12:58 PM EDT up reply actions  

He's also a LF.

The bar is set a bit lower for SS. Briggy’s power also emerged a bit earlier I believe.

by rglass44 on Sep 1, 2010 1:05 PM EDT up reply actions  

Sure I can

ISO is a rate stat for one so games played doesn’t matter. He also didn’t enjoy the platoon advantage the way Reid has. Its true it was his third year in the majors, so? Does playing in MLB male you stronger?

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by FreeZorilla on Sep 1, 2010 1:41 PM EDT up reply actions  

CC does also have an advantage of adjusting.

CC was worse his first two years than Reid, but he was up sooner. Reid took it slower and this is his rookie year. We’ll see, but I think you dismiss him too easily.

by rglass44 on Sep 1, 2010 5:21 PM EDT up reply actions  

No no no

I think he is our SS of the future. For this pennant chase Bartlett is the better option.Reid will surely develop.

Follow Me on Twitter @FreeZorilla

by FreeZorilla on Sep 1, 2010 6:58 PM EDT up reply actions  

Playing in MLB definitely doesn't female you stronger, I can tell you that.

The caller said the boy, after removing the bulb from its socket, left the building and threw the bulb on the ground. When the bulb broke, the caller said the boy screamed "Free the slaves at traffic stops from false arrest and jury fixing"

by Top Gun Numba 1 on Sep 2, 2010 9:32 AM EDT up reply actions  

Also, I'm not an old man like you.

Won’t reach 30 for at least a few years.

by rglass44 on Sep 1, 2010 1:05 PM EDT up reply actions  

1978

Follow Me on Twitter @FreeZorilla

by FreeZorilla on Sep 1, 2010 1:15 PM EDT up reply actions  

Not an attempt to highjack the thread, but rather reflect on the inevitable new

players we’ll be seeing next seeong including Brignac as an everyday SS

I see us looking up at TOR, BOS and NY for the better part of 2011

follow me on twitter @sternfan10

by sternfan1 on Sep 1, 2010 11:30 AM EDT reply actions  

Agreed

I look forward to new faces and outperforming everyone’s expectations

Follow Me on Twitter @FreeZorilla

by FreeZorilla on Sep 1, 2010 11:32 AM EDT up reply actions  

Yes, and off-season trades are always fun.

Maddon's Mission
Make you want to kill him, then make you want to love him. Sly.

by Jonah Keri on Jun 19, 2010 10:31 PM EDT

by Doug09 on Sep 1, 2010 11:33 AM EDT up reply actions  

I read where Carza, Upton and Bartlett will be traded

Wheeler will be let go, and probably Benoit

Soriano, Crawford and Pena are all FA who will probably leave

I see a couple that re easy to replace, but also some huge holes

follow me on twitter @sternfan10

by sternfan1 on Sep 1, 2010 11:34 AM EDT up reply actions  

"I read where Carza, Upton and Bartlett will be traded "

If it happens, there will be players coming in return

Follow Me on Twitter @FreeZorilla

by FreeZorilla on Sep 1, 2010 11:35 AM EDT up reply actions  

of course, but do you think those coming will be as accomplished as those leaving? No

so it’s only a guess if they make it or not

Recall Matt Sweeney

follow me on twitter @sternfan10

by sternfan1 on Sep 1, 2010 11:37 AM EDT up reply actions  

Was he traded straight up for Kazmir?

Or did we also get your favorite player who helped out this year, and a lefty pitching prospect who had a nice year in AA

Follow Me on Twitter @FreeZorilla

by FreeZorilla on Sep 1, 2010 11:47 AM EDT up reply actions  

um, look at the overall picture

clearing Kazmir’s salary was the only way the Rays could even consider getting Soriano. In addition, they added at least one young solid player in S-Rod…and all this for a broken down pitcher.

The Rays got the better end of that trade in a BIG way.

by raysfaninminnesota on Sep 1, 2010 1:24 PM EDT up reply actions  

Garza, Upton, and Bartlett if traded will also bring back some nice pieces, so we can't completely just look at it from the view of them being off the team and that's it.

Players from those trades, plus Helly, Jennings, McGee, Leslie Anderson, and some others. I think it should be interesting and a fun off-season.

Maddon's Mission
Make you want to kill him, then make you want to love him. Sly.

by Jonah Keri on Jun 19, 2010 10:31 PM EDT

by Doug09 on Sep 1, 2010 11:36 AM EDT up reply actions  

Nothing funnier than SF1 writing "I foresee us...l

And then following it up with one of his dumb, inane and soon to be incorrect predictions. Why does he still bother?

by fsucb on Sep 1, 2010 11:38 AM EDT via mobile reply actions  

The one you wrote 4 days ago

1. You didnt really predict, so much as complain
2. Even if anything there could be construed as a prediction, it was 4 days ago.

by GomesSweetGomes on Sep 1, 2010 11:47 AM EDT up reply actions  

And

this oldie but goodie

Howell back to his okd tricks….Look for a long losing streak..

Rays follow that by winning 6 of 7, and Howell becomes a bullpen ace for the year.

by GomesSweetGomes on Sep 1, 2010 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions  

You know, lately.

If this works, I want the copywrite and patent on the statistic.

Follow me: @SandyKazmir, read me @ Dockoftherays.com, feel me whenever you want.

by Sandy Kazmir on Sep 1, 2010 12:47 PM EDT up reply actions  

They have to showcase Bartlett for an off-season trade, otherwise they run the risk of non-tendering him.

If this works, I want the copywrite and patent on the statistic.

Follow me: @SandyKazmir, read me @ Dockoftherays.com, feel me whenever you want.

by Sandy Kazmir on Sep 1, 2010 12:30 PM EDT reply actions  

That's not my point. Don't twist my words.

A sub-300 wOBA from anyone barring a catcher or Franklin Gutierrez is simply unacceptable. Brignac’s only 24 so he should improve into a fine shortstop in the next year or few, but as of now, the fact is, his hitting is at a level where his defense simply can’t compensate for it.

by benderbrodriguez on Sep 1, 2010 2:27 PM EDT up reply actions  

I'm of the opinion that it's relative to the sample size

He’s a better hitter than what the numbers bear out and feel that if he was playing with any consistency you would see something closer to his true talent level. Chasing the fastball seems to be his issue. You don’t get better at pitch recognition by sitting on the bench and watching others perform on a nightly basis.

If this works, I want the copywrite and patent on the statistic.

Follow me: @SandyKazmir, read me @ Dockoftherays.com, feel me whenever you want.

by Sandy Kazmir on Sep 1, 2010 4:02 PM EDT up reply actions  

Perhaps if he had more playing time he'd be putting up better numbers.

But if he played every day then he’d also be facing lefties against whom he had a 638 OPS last year in AAA with a normal BABIP. I agree that he should be honing his skills in AAA rather than sitting on a bench right now, but the fact is, at the moment, his production is less than Bartlett’s

by benderbrodriguez on Sep 1, 2010 5:36 PM EDT up reply actions  

They both have wOBAs of .298.

And there’s little doubt Reid’s the better glove.

by rglass44 on Sep 1, 2010 6:29 PM EDT up reply actions  

Trade value

If the Rays strictly platoon Bartlett the rest of the season the Rays will lose leaverage in trade negotiations regarding Bartlett. Worse some teams may lose intrest, actually viewing him as only a platoon SS now.

by raysnghell on Sep 1, 2010 4:10 PM EDT reply actions  

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