Comments on: Rookie Heights

By: Bill R

Bill R — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 02:33:49 +0000

Maybe I didn’t read closely enough, but I think you missed a category, “Rookies who threw no-hitters.” Clay Buchholz. How many other rookies have pitched no hitters?

By: Matt Eddy

Matt Eddy — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 20:21:09 +0000

One way to approach Tulo’s home-road splits is to double his road output to “project” how he’d perform in a neutral environment. Coors certainly is not neutral, but most hitters do perform better at home.

Doubling Tulo’s road output we get a .256/.327/.393 line with 18 HR, 22 2B, 78 RBIs, 100 R and 10-for-10 SB. Pretty good for a rookie shortstop, but a shade worse than the average NL shortstop, who hit .279/.337/.420.

Braun’s road numbers times two: .322/.356/.610 with 34 HR, 22 2B, 96 RBIs, 88 R and 14-for-16 SB — or pretty close to Braun’s actual production. As you’d surmise, this is quite a bit better than the average NL third baseman, who hit .280/.348/.456.

Tulowitzki gets a defensive edge, definitely, and even though it’s sizable, it’s his only edge.

An average or above defensive shortstop is much more vital to team success than a third baseman of the same quality. Consider, a shortstop makes twice as many plays — four or five per game, on average — than a third baseman, who makes two or three.

By: Justin Anderson

Justin Anderson — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 18:14:16 +0000

The point is if you look at Tulo’s splits and compare his Coors field production to his away from Coors field production it becomes apparent that away from Coors field he is basically average offensively. I’ll give you that Braun’s defense has a way to go, but he just completed one of the best offensive years for a rookie, EVER! Let’s also take into account that he only played 112 games. If you project Braun’s stats over a whole season you’re looking at 45 bombs, 130 RBI, and 20 steals (to go with a .320 BA, .370 OBP, and .634 SLG). Again, Braun is hands-down the ROY.

By: Eli

Eli — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 16:25:01 +0000

Nah. The difference between Tulowitki’s bat and the average shortstop vs. Braun’s bat and the average 3b, plus great vs. awful defence means that Tulo should be the ROY. And what’s the Coors field thing all about – 1) he’s going to be there for the next 5 or more years, 2) humidor effect has dappened it.

By: Jackson

Jackson — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 00:40:35 +0000

Agreed. But winning the ROY trophy itself doesnt mean anything. Look at Eric Hinske. Im sure Tulo would rather win the World Series than ROY anyways.

By: Justin Anderson

Justin Anderson — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 00:04:14 +0000

I’ll take a “one-dimensional” player that hits 34 bombs with a .324 average, .370 OBP, and .634 slugging percentage anytime. My god, the guy’s slugging percentage was higher than Albert Pujol’s lifetime slugging percentage! And oh by the way, he did it all without the benefit of calling Coors field his home stadium. Tulowitzki hit .256 with only 9 bombs away from Coors field. You’ve got to be crazy if you think he’s more deserving of the ROY than Braun.

By: john

john — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 20:26:01 +0000

Troy Tulowitzki is the ROY…not Ryan Braun. There is no holes in Troy’s game, and, even as a rookie, is seen as one of the best shortstops in MLB. The Rockies would never have won without him. Ryan Braun is a butcher in the field..he’s one-dimensional.