Questions for spring: Can Smith play every day?
After releasing Brad Hawpe in August last season, the Colorado Rockies gave Seth Smith a chance to play the outfield on a regular basis and prove he was an everyday outfielder. Smith picked a terrible time for a slump, hitting .189 with three home runs and seven RBI from Aug. 18 through the end of the season. Yet the Rockies didn’t add an outfielder in the offseason, electing instead to rely on the players they already knew.
Smith enters spring training perparing to be at no worst part of a platoon with Ryan Spilborghs and perhaps Ty Wigginton. The Rockies will give Smith a chance to win the everyday job, but whether he can hit left-handers on a regular basis remains to be seen. In his career he is just a .190 hitter against lefties, but he held is own in 2009 when he hit .259 with a .368 on-base percentage in limited at-bats against lefties.
Earlier this offseason, Smith admitted that he struggled with his audition last year, trying to hit home runs to prove he deserved the full-time job rather than taking his normal approach at the plate. This spring, he is expected to be the starter from day one and is working with new hitting coach Carney Lansford to get his approach more in line with the slog of an everyday job rather than the boom-or-bust approach he sometimes used as a pinch-hitter. Whether it works or not should be on display in the box scores.
Seth is really an enigma to me. In 2008 when the Rox were contemplating the Holliday trade I really thought that Smith would make the trade bearable. I was really excited to see what he could do everyday. Obviously Fowler and Cargo emerged in the OF and Smith really excelled in 09 off the bench. So 2010 when Hawpe was let go, I thought “here we go, finally get to see what he can do” and he fell flat.
I still think Seth can be an everyday .290/25/80 type of guy. Which in either the 2 or 7 spot would just be amazing for this club. I really hope Carney can get him to look to all fields like he seemed to do when he came of the bench in 09.
Steve, it seems like that was the approach from many of the rockies last year, swing for the fence and hope for the best. My gut tells me that Smith will improve but not enough to start everyday. Having a productive 7 hitter would be a dream come true, hoping that Spilly will improve as well, but that is for another day.
That’s true. One of the debates we’ve had here over the past year and where I disagree with some of the community is whether that swing-for-the-fence approach is institutional — coming from Jim Tracy or someone else as a preferred approach — or collection of bad individual approaches. Many feel that’s the way Tracy prefers to play while I believe that he was stuck with personnel that eyed the fences too longingly. The debate reached a bit of a stalemate and I believe we agreed to disagree about that. But whatever the reason, it was a real problem and Carney Lansford was hired in part to shake that approach.
Do we know who decided that Don Baylor was out and Carney Landsford was the answer as batting coach? If it was Jim Tracy, that probably signals he did not like the “individual” approach all along or at least decided it did not work.
If it was Dan O’Dowd, that may signal it was Jim Tracy’s idea to swing away rather than plan sound fundamental baseball.
Either way, it is good to see the right approach at the start of spring, including the “Dante Bichette” curveball machine. If they are serious, this will carry over all year, at Coors and on the road.
The interesting thing about changing hitting coaches is everyone says Carney is here to help Smith, Stewart and Iannetta. He has a history with them and will help turn them around.
On the flip side, wasn’t it Baylor who helped Gonzales become a batting champion? I hope that helping those three guys doesn’t hurt the best hitter in the long run. Just saying.
Swinging for the fences has to be an individual approach based upon situation. Stewart, Smith, Iannetta and, even, Spilly didn’t show the discipline or wherewithal to know when this should be applied.
Hopefully, Lansford can teach this to the team.
RE: OF and the lack of any bolstering to the roster. I have a feeling that if Blackmon has a breakout spring, he could step into the starting OF and make either Smith, Spilly and, at the outside, Dexter available as trade material with some minor leaguers. Did anyone hear what the Rangers wanted to close the Young deal other than $$$?
I had heard something about Dexter being asked for, and IMO thats where the Rox need to hang up the phone.
Without Dexter, we’re sort of back to the 2008 Rockies with no real speed, putting pressure on the middle of the order to swing for the fences.
If Dexter gets on base, even if he’s on first, that puts the thought into Cargo or Tulo’s heads that all they need is a single to get an RBI.
What does IMO mean?
In My Opinion is IMO. I have said this before on here, but I don’t get why Spilly tends to get overlooked when compared to Smith. Maybe I base my feelings on his great personality and team-first attitude, but it seems like he could be a regular guy if given the chance. Some guys get labeled as a “utility” player or “4th” outfielder and that seems to fit with Spilly. I say let him and Smith fight it out and best guy wins, but Tracy shouldn’t just give Smith the job and make it his to lose.
Smith has such a sweet swing that he is built for success IF he doesn’t try to hit home runs and just let’s his bat come through the zone. I really hope he takes the game by the horns and does well. If Spilly is able to get two starts a week out of 7 games, I will be happy as well. He can give Dex a day off and hit leadoff even when needed to. He has the mentality of team first and has done really well in times when asked too. When team tried to have him be everyday guy, he didn’t grab the job or was injured. He is one of my favorite players too though, so if he gets another shot, I hope he stays within his zone and does well also.
Robb,
Thanks for the info! I agree with you about Spilly. I truly believe if he was given the starting job he would put up numbers that would resemble Jayson Werth. I’ve never been a fan of Smith and I’ve never thought he was really that good. I would like to see Spilly start in LF.
I like Spilly and Smith about equally.
To me, Spilly is sort of an Eric Byrnes type where he’s got a bit of wildness to his game that creates his opportunities. He’s more likely to stretch a single into a double. He’s also more prone to make base running mistakes.
While Spilly is better at getting on base, Smith on the other hand has much more power. They have close to the same HRs over their careers but Smith has 550 less ABs!
Smith I think is the more pure talent. Spilly the hustle guy.
Unless they both struggle, I really don’t think there is a downside to keeping them both.
I think a platoon with Spilly and Smith is ultimately the way to go. Both bring different dimensions to the game and neither, over the long haul, will hurt the team. If I had to pick one, it would probably be Smith (only if he can use the whole field), who I think has a stronger arm from right field.
I’m with you, Robb, I’m in Spilly’s corner. Though I’m not as optimistic as Egossage to say he can put up Werth numbers, I do think if there is someone out there who doesn’t like Spilly as a player there is something wrong with him.
I truly believe Spilly, if given a chance, can put up Jayson Werth numbers. To show you exactly what Jayson Werth numbers are I will give you his 162 game average.
R – 91 (I would predict 85-90 if Spilly were starter)
H – 143 (This is probably pretty close to what Spilly would hit)
2B – 29 (I predict 30-35 2Bs for Spilly)
HR – 25 (probably closer to 15-20 for Spilly)
RBI – 85 (right about there I think)
SB – 16 (again, right about there)
BA – .272 (maybe .265ish)
OBP – .367 (this would probably be lower, .330 range)
SLG – .481
OPS – .848
I would love to see Smith take off as an every day player. But if he doesn’t, I would at least like to see him return to form as a late inning pinch hitter. With him and Giambi available to pinch hit late in games, that should be a potent weapon.
Eric, no offense but what you presented is a stretch especially considering that Werth had a .921 OPS last year. Only nine guys in MLB had a better OPS line, and fortunately for us Tulo and Cargo were two of the nine. I’m definitely on your side though, I love Spilly. But IMO he can’t be included in the same conversation as Werth. The stats back that up.
Well if Spilly,who I also love as a team player,puts up Werth type numbers you can kiss him goodbye!Not going to happen though.Platoon should work w/the resting guy available to pinch hit-or even bunt in Spilly’s case.Like ‘em both,but as a combo more than individually.
Swam,
Spilly has never been given the fulltime postion in LF that’s why the stats for right now back that up. When Spilly’s right, his approach at the plate is hitting everything the opposite way which is where most of his power is. If he can keep that approach threw a full season and not get caught up in trying to pull the ball and hit HRs then I think he has the talent to put up Werth numbers. By the way, just so you know I think Jayson Werth is overrated so that is why I think Spilly can put up similar numbers to Werth.
Hey buddy, if Spilly is able to put up Werth numbers then I would be as happy as you. Just pointing out that those are pretty lofty figures, like Werth or not. Keep in mind Werth didn’t even register 600 ABs last year yet he still finished second in MLB in doubles. If Spilly turned in half of Werths 2010 stats this year I would be happy.
I think Werth is overrated, too, and benefitted from being surrounded by a great line-up for the most part. Plus, he plays in a hitters park. Let’s see what happens this year in DC, I would expect to see a drop-off in his numbers. I appreciate everyone’s feedback on Spilly and I do agree with pretty much everything said. I don’t know if he can be a regular guy, but he should be given a fair chance. A platoon makes sense as both guys bring something to the table. I just think Spilly gets the short end of the stick a little bit. Going to the game next Friday against Cleveland, it’s an awa
I believe Smith’s defensive numbers were better than Spilly’s last year. Spilly is fast and has made some great catches, but last year he also had a few bobbles. Smith gets a good read on fly balls and covers his ground quite well.
I’d like to see Smith in LF and CarGo in RF. Jim Tracy seemed to be experimenting there as well, trying out Smith in right because there is less square footage to cover. But the RF should be the best arm in the OF.
I like both Smith and Spilly and am fine with the shared duties, or maybe a 70-30 split. I don’t think either is a Werth offensively, but a good solid season from both these fellows would be a huge contribution.
I’m not saying he’ll put up Werth’s 2010 numbers. I’m saying he could put up Werth’s 162 game average numbers which aren’t close to his 2010 numbers. Werth has averaged only 29 2Bs a season in his career and 25 HRs along with 85 RBIs. If Spilly played a full season as the starter I think he could easily match those numbers.
“Werth has averaged only 29 2Bs a season in his career and 25 HRs along with 85 RBIs. If Spilly played a full season as the starter I think he could easily match those numbers.”
Spilly doesn’t have that kind of power, even when being platooned. 15 HR/600 PA in his career, and that includes having about 40% of his AB’s vs. lefties.
I agree he’s a good player to have around, though. I hope he gets plenty of AB’s vs. lefties.
ProgMatinee – I hate that you compared Spilly to Eric Byrnes.
I guess I can see where your coming from as far as style of play, but…god I despise Eric Byrnes
I LOVE Eric Byrnes…well, I love his style of play and his attitude. Of course as a Rox fan you have to also LOVE making him eat crow when we beat him down. But as a baseball personality, I really think he’s great fun.
If by a fun player you mean a guy that gets a few mil and turns into more of a radio and TV personality than a ball player, yes, he’s a fun player. His style of play is all out,yes, but he’s not any good. Sorry, don’t me to get emotional. Spilly is nothin like Eric f’in Byrnes
Seth Smith started Saturday’s opener in the two hole. Jim Tracy’s hope was to have Smith bat in the 2 hole with the ability to hit lefties. So far so good; Seth had a nice opposite field double against a lefty and scored on Carlos Gonzalez’ RBI single.