Brandon Wood's Double A Numbers

by cronie on Jul 3, 2006 3:56 PM EDT Comment 16 comments

What do people think about Brandon Wood's Double A numbers so far. Impressive? Disappointing? So-So?

Through 78 games he's hitting .298/.382/.589 with 18 homers, 57 rbi's, 30 doubles, 11 sb, 1 cs, 99 strikeouts, 38 walks, and 18 errors.

On the surface they look fine, especially the power, and I'm surprised by the stolen base success. But 99 strikeouts in 78 games? That seems like a bunch. The errors look a bit high as well. Other than that it looks like an excellent year at the plate. What do you guys think?

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I looked at his numbers last week

And was surprised at how good his numbers are despite the horrible strikeout rate.

If he gets 550 AB's, which he should at this pace, his numbers project to:

55 2B, 4 3B, 33 HR, 104 RBI, 20 SB, 69/180 BB/K

In other words... if he just maintains his current pace, he'll have 92 XBH's the year after hitting 100.

If he goes on a hot streak.... he could be at 100 XBH's for the second year in a row... ridiculous.

Still, it's obvious he needs to work on his plate discipline to become a better overall player.

Rays in '08....

by youALREADYknow on Jul 3, 2006 4:06 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Sickels says...

"Wood will hit .283/.345/.535 in Double-A."
by John Sickels on Sat Feb 25, 2006 at 01:55:54 PM EST

Rays in '08....

by youALREADYknow on Jul 3, 2006 4:20 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Obviously

His numbers are great in AA. The question the strikeouts raise are "will the pitchers at higher levels be able to exploit this" whether he has holes in his swing, impatient, contact problems, or otherwise.

So far they have not. But I think this concern will be there until he proves in the bigs for a year or so that he can put up numbers despite huge strikeout numbers.

Another question - Why does he K so much? I don't think it's a contact issue like Branyan. And he does walk. Is it an agressive approach? Or chasing certain pitches?

by pedrophile on Jul 3, 2006 4:33 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Funny...

you should mention Branyan. That was one of the first names that popped into my head when looking at Wood's numbers. I AM NOT SAYING THAT WOOD WILL BE THE NEXT BRANYAN (I thought I should throw that out there before everyone jumps on me). If Wood can put up a solid average, like he is now, with the power numbers, you could live with the Ks.

Maybe someone who has seen Wood play could comment on him. I've never seen him play before and am curious about the Ks.

"Rule #76. No excuses, play like a champion!"

by andy 5 on Jul 3, 2006 4:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

McPherson

is the other name to mention. Because he also has the high K rate. But McPherson also has the contact rate with a good average in the minors.

These guys can succeed but sometimes take a little longer to develop. And fall off quicker. Look at Glaus and his BA. He is still a quality hitter but not the threat he used to be.

by pedrophile on Jul 3, 2006 5:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Glaus

High K rates can DEFINITELY be a problem indicator for a minor leaguer, but they're not really that big a problem for a major leaguer. Glaus may have a low BA, but he has a pretty good OBP, and ridiculous ISOs.

Granted, this is a bit of a stathead opinion, but gimme Adam Dunn and his .234/.370/.550 and pace for 200 Ks over Kenny Lofton's .293/.351/.380 and <50 Ks. Or, if you wanna compare a CF to Lofton, Granderson is on pace for nearly 200 Ks but .285/.372/.478.

Not trying to attack you, Just making a point about the difference between Ks in the minors as an indicator of major league success and Ks in the majors as a measure of major league success.

by abbreviatedman on Jul 3, 2006 7:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree

with all of that.

My usage of Glaus was to show he had years with solid average, power, OBP, Slugging. But his average seems to go down every year. He is very valuable. But doesn't age quite as well.

I think McPherson could have a big year next year. And could have a similar career to Glaus but shorter. And Wood could be similar. If he doesn't make adjustments.

by pedrophile on Jul 3, 2006 7:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wood's K rate

I think his K rate is high because he was trying too hard to replicate last years numbers. He came out of the gate with a ton of K's, and i believe his pace has slowed down as far as that goes. If i recal, he struck out like 30+ times in his first 15 or so games.

by SoCalSoxFan on Jul 3, 2006 9:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

not exactly

He's been striking out at about the same rate through each month in the season.

The difference is that his SLG has risen as the season went along, which leads me to believe that he's starting to see the pitches better.

Rays in '08....

by youALREADYknow on Jul 3, 2006 10:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

What I've seen...

Just one thing I've noticed from watching him twice in AA. He doesn't ever appear to shorten up or adjust his swing and make contact. He seems to take the same cut regardless of the count. Anyone else get this impression?

by sungod7 on Jul 3, 2006 4:40 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

That seems true.

I heard the same comment about him last year in single-A. It seems he does not shorten up with two strikes on him.

by cronie on Jul 3, 2006 5:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I would say

if that is the case, then he is big league ready. I mean, when was the last time you saw a guy in the Bigs shorten up with two strikes?

by drwmsu1 on Jul 3, 2006 6:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hype Hernandez

I would really like to see more out of Hernandez. All I have been hearing is all the hype and the kid has pitched like... well... a kid.His era has been in the high 4s to low 5s all year. He has given up 14hr in 16 starts and he hasn't made it out of the 6th inning in 7 of his 16 starts. I know that the Ms are trying to save his arm but he has been rocked more than a few times. Liriano on the other hand has been steller. I want to see more out of both but Liriano has won this battle so far.

by caintastic on Jul 3, 2006 6:02 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

my bad

oh sorry wrong post

by caintastic on Jul 3, 2006 6:03 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Wood

From my perspective Wood is one of the more interesting high-profile prospects. Does one glaring negative (strikeouts) overshadow numerous positives? Large strikeout totals are acceptable for high-OPS producers in the majors, but striking out frequently in the minors CAN be an indicator of future contact problems at higher levels. His impressive power, developing walk rate, and defense all indicate that Wood should become at least an MLB regular, but IF his strike outs in the minor leagues are signs of contact problems in the major leagues then SOME Angels fans and prospect watchers are going to be disappointed with the finished product that Wood becomes.

by MPK on Jul 3, 2006 6:28 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs