Comments on: Jacoby Ellsbury: For Better or Worse 2009

By: jackson

jackson — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 10:39:01 +0000

Your analysis of Ellsbury overlooks the fact that he sustained a significant wrist injury that curtailed his prouction. He wasn’t the same after that. When healthy he has the upside of a top leadoff hitter.

By: Gerry

Gerry — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 05:31:47 +0000

Interesting comment. Sophomore slumps happen for a variety of reasons, like pitchers adjusting to you (Ellsbury), having trouble with the spotlight, trying new things that don’t work, injuries, fatigue, confidence issues, being brought up too early from MiLB. All of these things actually happened to Ellsbury. He started off well, fell into a slump, started to recover.
Let’s apply your logic and these reasons to another possible all-star, Clay Buchholz. Hitters adjusted to him, a 23 year old adjusting to the spotlight while replacing Curt Schilling (ouch!), new arm slot that didn’t work, nagging injury, confidence issues, brought up too early.
I know there are holes in this reasoning, but that doesn’t mean it’s not essentially valid. It leads me to believe and hope that both Ellbury and Bowden will have impressive seasons. Let’s also hope Lowrie and Masterson can stay rock steady in their uncertain roles.

By: Sam K

Sam K — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 09:55:03 +0000

Personally, I think last year WAS his sophomore slump. This is the year, IMO, Ells kicks it into high gear. More power (probably in the form of doubles and triples), a little more patience, a similar SB total, and a GG: these are my wish list for Ellsbury in ‘09.

By: Joe Veno

Joe Veno — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 15:28:23 +0000

That link was an accident.

By: Joe Veno

Joe Veno — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 15:26:14 +0000

Fortunately, I have heard that the difference in lineups can be like a total of two wins…
Unfortunately, this division is very difficult and two wins may be the difference…
http://statisticianmagician.mlblogs.com/

By: Gerry

Gerry — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 15:36:52 +0000

You are so right about his ability to influence games. Playing CF the entire year could give him stability, confidence, and a GG. Thanks for the insight on Jacoby’s hitting while playing CF, which shows a full year in CF could also bring back the hitter we saw in 2007.
Technically, he could be in for a sophomore slump, but as this is really his 3rd year in the spotlight, he should instead take it to the next level, like Pedroia did.
Whatever, the middle is solid with Ellsbury, Pedroia, Lowrie, and if they all hit anywhere near what we have seen, their gloves, bats and 80-90SB should win more than a few games.