Willingham in Spring Training

by Maverick @ Minor League Ball on Mar 4, 2005 9:09 PM EST

It's time for Josh Willingham to be "freed"

Everyone knows Willingham has the bat, it just depends on if he will get the chance to show it in the majors. I plan on showing what he has done in each spring training game and update it every day or so...

So far he is 0/4 with 3Ks and a GIDP.... on the bright side he has looked pretty good in LF so far including a very nice running grab into the bullpen

So anyway feel free to post anything you want here, and if anyone has a player in mind to keep an eye on, you should do one too!

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Nice Diary

I actually changed my post signature earlier this week to support this cause.

free Josh Willingham!

by natsfan2005 @ Minor League Ball on Mar 4, 2005 9:19 PM EST reply actions

March 5th

Willingham came in to play catcher in the 7th inning. He got one at bat and grounded out to 3B. He looked pretty good at catcher

He is 0/5 on the season

by Maverick @ Minor League Ball on Mar 5, 2005 3:46 PM EST reply actions

Willingham mystery

Maybe I'm nuts, but I just don't see why the fuss over Josh Willingham. Aren't there a LOT of minor leaguers who (like J. Wil'm) are 2 or 3 years old for their leagues and clobbering the ball? With similar power, lower K totals, and higher batting averages?

As a hitter at least, Josh looks to me like a much, much older version of Justin Huber. I don't mean to be obnoxious about this; tell me guys, what am I not seeing? Thanks!

by Mary Sunshine on Mar 6, 2005 1:02 AM EST reply actions

re: mystery

led the minors in OBP last year @ .449. Had and OPS over 1.000. More walks than strikeouts.

Posted a .394 OBP in the FSL in 2002.

In 2003 I think they sent him to extended Spring training to learn catching. He then began back in the FSL. It was repeating a level but I think it was deemed moving behind the plate at AA was a stretch. He posted an OBP over .420 b/w FSL and SL that year. This transition to catcher is a big reason why he's been old for his leagues.

He has to me what looks like the potential to be a Jason Bay. But the Fins went and signed a declining Lo Duca to a 3 year deal. So I hope Willingham gets some time in the OF or they deal him.

free Josh Willingham!

by natsfan2005 @ Minor League Ball on Mar 6, 2005 1:34 AM EST up reply actions

Two things

He plays for an organization which has shown itself not to be too stat-friendly in the past and took a large step in drafting college pitchers.
He plays a position whose defensive impact is hotly contested by sabermetricians and traditionalists. (Although, reportedly Josh has good game-calling skills and a strong arm, but somehow has earned a poor defensive reputation.)

by rferry on Mar 6, 2005 5:19 PM EST up reply actions

WHY

WHY is Juan Encarnacion even in the pros still? He's so BAD.

by SenorGato88 on Mar 6, 2005 4:14 PM EST reply actions

Sunday

Willy went 0/2 while playing catcher

0/7 thus far

by Maverick @ Minor League Ball on Mar 6, 2005 7:35 PM EST reply actions

What are the...

Marlins plans with him?

I've read he might stay in the OF, I've read he'll probably spend the whole year at AAA behind the plate, I've read he might make the MLB roster as a UT (he can play 1b and 3b too?).

It seems he at least has passable catching skills. With the dearth of good-hitting catchers, why doesn't Florida keep him there?

I know LoDuca just resigned, but at the very least it seems like Willingham could turn into excellent trade bait for the Marlins.

by brian @ Minor League Ball on Mar 7, 2005 4:59 PM EST reply actions

thanks, natsfan

...for the details re: Willingham. Now that I look a little closer, maybe he could be a .770-.785 OPS guy in the majors for a few years. Obviously that'd be real good for a backstop, especially if the defense is adequate.

Given the similarities in their hitting performances & enormous difference in their ages, though, I'd still argue that if J.W. is a top 75-100 prospect, that makes Justin Huber top 15-20 (which he isn't).

Or maybe I'm underestimating both of them.

by Mary Sunshine on Mar 7, 2005 6:00 PM EST reply actions