I agree with AJG in that Puig is a special talent, and has some unbelievable skills. I still don't believe he should be picked to make the team. Same thing I said last year for Harper.

 

 

 

And I wouldn't even consider either player for the All-Star team if it wasn't for the silly rule that the winner gets home field for the World Series. Of course, if they're going to keep that rule in there I think they should have to do away with picking a player from each team and reduce the fan's voting role in picking the team--but those are two totally different debates. However, with the rules in place, I'm not so sure that I wouldn't want Puig on my bench for a late inning pinch hitting role and defensive replacement. The other league has hardly seen him at all and he'd definitely keep anyone from taking an extra base on the basepaths. That being said if everyone were completely healthy I'd probably leave him off--but if 3-4 guys bow out with injuries I'd have to consider him.

 

I can't stand Harper and I'd be shocked if both he and Trout don't have much better (and longer) careers than Puig. I'd be surprised if he isn't at least 2-3 years older than what he claims. :lol2:

 

Isn't Puig Cuban? Have they had trouble with Cuban players lying about their age?

Isn't Puig Cuban? Have they has trouble with Cuban players lying about their age?

 

I'm skeptical of any of the guys from down in the Caribbean area, including Chapman. :lol2:

:lol2: I can go with whatever I want. That's why I brought up his projected numbers. You can't predict injuries.

 

I asked you if you wanted to say that Puig would never approach .303, 23 HR, 69 RBI and 9 SB--that's what Kemp was last season. So do you think that is his ceiling? You numbers are what you produced, not what you would have produced if healthy. If you want to go by projections then name his ceiling.

Isn't Puig Cuban? Have they had trouble with Cuban players lying about their age?

 

It hasn't really been a problem with Cuban players. Cuba has no desire to see them defect so it is in the government's best interests to give their proper ages.

^Okay fine, .300 avg., 30 HRs, 100 RBI....Those are above his ceiling.

^Okay fine, .300 avg., 30 HRs, 100 RBI....Those are above his ceiling.

 

I'm bookmarking this thread...

^Oh I'm sure you will....If he exceeds those numbers, I'm sure you'll be the only one who cares too. :lol2:

Aren't there incentives that each player selected to the All-Star team receives? It would be tragic to take that away from someone who has produced for half a season just to get Puig on the team after he played just 20 games.

^Oh I'm sure you will....If he exceeds those numbers, I'm sure you'll be the only one who cares too. :lol2:

OK being serious for a minute, taking All-Star debate out of it. Granted there have been other flash in the pan players that started off hot and then amounted to nothing.

 

What about his game do you hate? (Besides Dodger Blue, which I also hate)

 

Part of the fun of Baseball is Stats and projections. So what has he done in his first month that makes you think he will be a middle of the road player? If you project his numbers over a full season he wins the triple crown going away. Now he's not going to stay this hot, even Roy Hobbs had slumps. But as Joe said his talent is freakish and he doesn't look to have a weakness in his game. Pitchers will find the hole in his swing, but I'm betting that it will be a small hole.

FWIW

Around the Horn Survey does he deserve to be on the All-Star Game

 

Bomani Jones - Yes

Kevin Blackistone - NO

Bill Plaschke - Yes

Woody Page - Yes

 

Sentiment seemed to be that this was the fans game and he is the biggest star in Baseball right now! Fans deserved a chance to see him.

OK being serious for a minute, taking All-Star debate out of it. Granted there have been other flash in the pan players that started off hot and then amounted to nothing.

 

What about his game do you hate? (Besides Dodger Blue, which I also hate)

 

Part of the fun of Baseball is Stats and projections. So what has he done in his first month that makes you think he will be a middle of the road player? If you project his numbers over a full season he wins the triple crown going away. Now he's not going to stay this hot, even Roy Hobbs had slumps. But as Joe said his talent is freakish and he doesn't look to have a weakness in his game. Pitchers will find the hole in his swing, but I'm betting that it will be a small hole.

 

There's nothing specific about his game I don't like. He's a very good young player, but you guys are falling for the ESPN hype machine.

 

1) He doesn't walk very much, which tells me he's a free swinger.

 

2) He's struck out 17 times in 77 ABs, which isn't bad at all, however that gives him a .566 average on balls put in play. There's no way that even stays anywhere close to that as the season progresses. For perspective, Miguel Cabrera (he's pretty good, right?) is hitting .450 on BIP.

 

3) There's no book on him yet. Give teams a bit of a chance to get some film on him, and they'll start exploiting things, such as the fact that he swings at everything.

Not falling for ESPN hype machine because I hate Baseball Tonight and can't stand baseball highlights unless the Reds are on them. I just think when compared to the start of the last several can't miss prospects he is leaps and bounds ahead of them. I agree no way his numbers stay at this level, no player has ever sustained this level of play for much over a month or so let alone a season or career.

 

He averages around 3.1 pitches per at bat, so he goes up looking to hit. Until pitchers start trying to pitch around him he's not going to walk much. I would not compare his talent to Jr., but more so to Bo Jackson. Similar arm, power and speed (well not quite Bo's speed but he is fast) and could see his game leveling out closer to Bo's but I think he'll hit for better average than Bo.

Under .300 over his last 6 games....

Under .300 over his last 6 games....

0 for 4 last night will do that to you...he's batting .333 in last 8 games. Dropped his average to .420