What’s gotten into Pudge?
posted in 2008 predictions |Have you seen this man?
That’s Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez, a photo from 2007. You may recognize him. But you won’t recognize his spring statistics, nor the words coming out of his mouth lately.
Last year he had 11 walks homers. (Wait, it was 11 walks in 2005, 9 in 2007!) This spring training (standard spring stats yadayada here) he has six homers. But a possible new power surge isn’t all we’re getting in Pudge 2.0. Quoth the Lil Pudgy One:
The main thing about it is I’m just doing what I want to do and just being more selective at the plate, trying to hit some strikes and take the balls
I’m just trying to see four to five pitches per at-bat. That’s what I’m trying to do. And so far, that’s what I’m doing. I’m feeling pretty good about that.
WHAT!!!! The Pudge we know can’t stand to walk. (Maybe he hangs out with Dusty Baker?) Isn’t taking that fourth ball for no one. Even MLB.com beat writer Jason Beck (jokingly?) calls this crazy talk coming out of Pudge’s mouth.
Of course, his actions may not be speaking as loud as his words. While Brandon Inge has already compiled eight walks this spring, Pudge lags behind with … two. Which, to be fair, is a lot higher ratio (1 per 14.5 at-bats) than his past few seasons (1 per 56 at-bats in 2007, 1 per 21 in 2006, 1 per 46 in 2005). He hasn’t been a fan of walking since the 41 he took in 2004.
But if Pudge does follow through this season — and since it’s a free-agency year, I bet he tries — it can only be good news as he settles into his new slot eighth in the batting order.
Sphere It
The Dusty “Walks clog up the bases” Baker dig got a laugh out of me!
As to the “New and improved” Pudge, if gets 20 BB’s this season, I’ll eat my…Well, I’ll eat something! It’s nice to think Pudge is suddenly changing his plate discipline from “Swing at every pitch” to “Swing at every other pitch.” But I find it hard to believe this Tiger will change his stripes. (Pun intended…)