Branyon? Time to bring up Dukes

by ScottAZ on May 26, 2006 12:59 AM EDT

I'm guessing (hoping) the only reason why Elijah Dukes isn't up yet is because of his flair-up with management a few weeks back. I mean, comeon. Russ Branyon? The dude is hitting under .200 and literally strikes out 1/3 of his ABs! Tampa is in last place, Dukes has torn up AAA, and bringing up Dukes would at least give us a reason to care about TB.

Again, Russ Branyon and Damon Hollins!! Anyone care to argue that Dukes couldn't easily surpass their production right now?

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i dont know

i watched a clip of him hitting a bomb last night, the thing was CRUSHED and he knew it...he then proceeded to toss the bat down and do a kind of manny-like strut for a few strides before he began his trot

its probably this type of immature or arrogant or unsportsmanlike (whatever you want to call it) behavior, not any lack of production, thats keeping him down at his point...because russ branyan, man, theres NO way he should be filling out a major league roster if the rays are concerned only with production

by Rob Castellano on May 26, 2006 1:18 AM EDT reply actions

re

I think the Manny, Barry, etc type players that "style" after their homers can get away with it because they are studs. If Dukes is a stud it would be easily and happily accepted. I don't think showboating is a deciding factor of keeping Dukes in AAA.

by ScottAZ on May 26, 2006 12:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Branyan is pretty good.

I wouldn't let the whopping 67 AB he has so far sway you.

Just last year he hit .257/.378/.490 with 23 XBH.

He's got mammoth power and takes a ton of walks. Platoon him against righties and he's very valuable.

No need to bring Dukes up. Wouldn't you rather let him crush AAA so that his transition to the majors is more fluid? You don't need to waste his arb years with him struggling.

by Klostrophobic on May 26, 2006 2:07 AM EDT reply actions

Excellent, excellent post.........................

www.draysbay.com

by Patrick L. Kennedy on May 26, 2006 2:09 AM EDT up reply actions

I'm worried

About his BB:K rate this year, though

by jankeessuck on May 26, 2006 7:52 AM EDT up reply actions

but the question is....

...why did the Brewers swap out Branyan for Koskie? They actually had to pay Koskie (& the Bluejays) something, whereas Russ was available for free. Does Corey's defense makeup the difference between the two, or is there something I'm missing.

by Azteca on May 26, 2006 10:13 AM EDT up reply actions

FWIW

My perception is that managers cherrypick Branyan's starts/abs. They often shield him from pitchers who could relatively easily exploit. So in the end, when he's been coddled his #'s don't look so bad. The stat heads believe that if he can do it in 190 ABs then he can do it in 600 ABs and clamor to "Free Branyan". I don't buy it.

"When I read about the evils of drinking, I gave up reading." - Henny Youngman

by TINSTAAPP on May 26, 2006 11:11 AM EDT up reply actions

No.

I'm not saying give him 600 atbats. I'm saying platoon him against righties, who he hits very well.

His defense in rightfield doesn't seem so bad (actually seems pretty good) and he seems to have a good arm, too.

by Klostrophobic on May 26, 2006 6:43 PM EDT up reply actions

Baldelli

I also think that with Baldelli making some rehab starts - the D-Rays may feel that bringing up Dukes is only a 1-2 week thing at best once Baldelli is ready to go so they figure they will just suck-it-up until Baldelli finishes rehab?

by slickwdb on May 26, 2006 6:42 AM EDT reply actions

The dude

hasent played since 2004. He will probably get injured again before the all star break. They should bring up Dukes and Baldelli, and get them both in the line up at points, so they both get at bats. Get Russ out of there.

by ChrisRef19 on May 26, 2006 7:22 AM EDT up reply actions

Baldelli

Is not really an obstacle to Dukes. Dukes is a RFer, and as long as Delmon is suspended, there is no one blocking him. I'm not saying calling him up is what they should do, I'm saying Baldelli doesn't matter.

"Chuck Lamar, you're fired"- Stuart Sternburg.

by Tyler on May 26, 2006 11:42 AM EDT up reply actions

Your right.

I have Gathright on my keeper team, and Im not impressed with his hitting. Speed wise hes great, but he has to get on base.

From what I hear, Baldelli is just as quick to first as he was in 04. This is good for them, but not good for Gathright.

Will they trade Baldelli if he's 100- 90% or will they trade the likes of Gathright, Brayan and others?

by ChrisRef19 on May 26, 2006 11:58 AM EDT up reply actions

Rocco's speed

He was timed just as fast from home to first pre-knee injury, however, he's now got a hamstring issue that has plagued him for over 2 months now. I don't expect it to be healthy all year, although I hope he is.

"Chuck Lamar, you're fired"- Stuart Sternburg.

by Tyler on May 26, 2006 12:36 PM EDT up reply actions

Disagree

I think if you are talking long-term then you are right in that Baldelli and Dukes are apples and oranges.

However in the short-term, there are three starting outfield slots and DH available to the D-Rays. You've got Gomes and Crawford in two and Gathright and Baldelli competing for the other spots with Hollins (and others) getting mop-up duty.

Dukes isn't going to replace either Gomes or Crawford. And I'm not sure that "right" now putting him into the Gathright-Baldelli circus for OF/DH at bats is a great idea.

Plus he's not on the 40-man roster so that would add another level of bringing him up.

3Rivers, United League of Moderate Gamers | Writer, Minor Details | Writer, Independent Thinking

by rockies73 on May 26, 2006 1:27 PM EDT up reply actions

Thank you

That was what I was trying to say - Baldelli factors in because there is already a number of guys up there deserving of AB's in Gomes, Crawford and to a lesser degree Gathright. Now throw in Baldelli and the fact that Huff needs to DH from time to time to stay healthy and get Wigginton abs because the guy is hitting good which means Gomes has to be in the OF - it all adds up to no real place but the bench for Dukes right now which does him no good.

If come the trading deadline, the D-Rays can unload Wigginton to a team in need of an infielder, possibly get rid of Branyon or Hollins, etc - then you can make room to bring up Dukes and actually get him some meaningful playing time.

by slickwdb on May 26, 2006 3:33 PM EDT up reply actions

Baldelli to RF?

Is not really an obstacle to Dukes. Dukes is a RFer

I had the understanding that the Rays were eventually going to put Baldelli in right field. Is this incorrect?
Judging by the awkward routes he was running in CF a couple years ago, it seems like a wise direction to go.

by FI @ Minor League Ball on May 27, 2006 12:10 PM EDT up reply actions

Not too sure about that

They want to get Gomes into the OF more often now that it seems like his shoulder was improving so my guess is that Baldelli will still be in CF with Gomes in right with the possibility of Baldelli playing right when Gomes DH's. Probably will see them moved around a little.

by slickwdb on May 27, 2006 7:37 PM EDT up reply actions