Bill Hall

by mcq fesijiba on Aug 10, 2006 4:12 PM EDT

I find the Brewers in the NL to be a very interesting team. There is some good young talent there. Of the players on the Brewers, I would say Bill Hall intrigues me the most. This guy is quietly putting up a season where he could hit 30-35 HRs. He absolutely crushes left handed pitching, and hits righties for good power, despite a not so good OBP and batting average. He strikes out a lot and doesn't walk very much, but hits the ball hard. He seems to be able to play quite a few different positions rather well. He is having a better major league career so far than minor league career and is just entering his prime years.

Could this guy actually get a little better than he already is? Is his future probably at 3B or will the Brewers continue to utilize him as a multiposition guy when Hardy comes back? It just feels like this guy somewhat came out of nowhere last year to become a very, very productive major leaguer. And his continued success this year shows that it probably isn't a fluke. I was thinking of requesting a prospect retro on this guy next time John takes requests (and probably still will), because I find these types of players very intriguing. You know, the types that come into the league with no hype and quietly go on to have nice careers (Placido Polanco is a good example of this).

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Corey Hart

Anyone have information on his future playing time. a prospect like him getting 100 AB's a year can not help his growth.

by novaoakland on Aug 10, 2006 4:23 PM EDT reply actions

No

but the kid can play 3b, 1b and the outfield.

WE WANT COREY!

by El Diablo @ Minor League Ball on Aug 10, 2006 4:37 PM EDT up reply actions

re Corey Hart

The Brewers are finally cutting back on Jenkins (rf) playing time! Hart should be the main beneficiary of this move. He's a bit rusty right now after sitting on the bench all year, but I expect him to show improvement with increased at bats.
My projection for the Brewers lineup in a few years:
1B Fielder
2b B. Hall
ss Hardy
3b Ryan Braun
lf Mench
cf Weeks
rf C. Hart

My only question is Braun at 3b - he may not be good enough defensively. If so, Weeks stays at 2B and Hall shifts to 3b. Tony Gwynn Jr would then probably play cf with Hart, Mench, and Braun dividing time in rf and lf.

by wejh on Aug 13, 2006 11:49 AM EDT up reply actions

Bill E.

I find him to be one of the more exciting players to watch.

by rustic on Aug 11, 2006 12:56 AM EDT reply actions

Travis Hafner

one of the best hitters in all of baseball. period. never got the hype coming through the minors.

And I agree I think Bill Hall is one of the more intriguing players in the game right now. I don't follow the Brewers that much so I don't know too much about him. Can he hold is own at SS? What do people think about him?

by yacck23 on Aug 11, 2006 1:44 AM EDT reply actions

re

I've watched him over the past few years in Spring Training and he has gotten A LOT bigger. I mean from 6'0" 170 to about 210. Before he was a little guy trying to hit homers (ala Jimmy Rollins) and now he can crush the ball. I don't see him hitting over .290 again like last year. but I can see him hitting .260-.275 with 30 bombs.

His defense can be erratic, but he is a talented athlete that can make some web gem plays.

by ScottAZ on Aug 11, 2006 11:43 AM EDT up reply actions

He's Got Everything

Besides even a shade of plate discipline. Other than that, a solid young player.

by jaffmasterj on Aug 11, 2006 9:10 AM EDT reply actions

Thanks for the responses so far

I forgot to mention when I wrote the diary, that being in an AL city (Detroit), it's tough to see a team like the Brewers on TV very often. I caught the Cubs on WGN yesterday, but was disappointed that Bill Hall had the day off. The Brewers (aside from occasional jokes about running sausages), aren't exactly an ESPN favorite, so a player like Bill Hall can go somewhat unnoticed by some of us.

BTW, sometimes I get a laugh out of Baseball Reference's similar players. Most similar batter to Bill Hall through age 25? Dave Nilsson. Haha, Nilsson was a very fine hitter when healthy in his day, but he and Hall are two totally different players.

by mcq fesijiba on Aug 11, 2006 12:18 PM EDT reply actions