Cameron Maybin Concern?

by nborton on Jul 16, 2007 12:20 PM EDT Comment 25 comments

How many are concerned about Maybin's lack of extra base hits this year? It seems as though a lot of people are jumping ship on him because of all the infield hits.

It's not like he has the body of someone who can't hit for power. At 6'4 you would think the extra base hits should come back, or at least increase with age and time.

Do you see the current infield hits as a trend or mirage?

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Response

I'm sure he'll always be a guy to get his share of infield hits no matter where he is playing.

The thing makes it so hard to get a read on Maybin is that by most reports, he flashes outstanding power in batting practice. He is a very different batter there from the guy who shows up in game situations. It's not just a projection game with Maybin, the power is already there; whether the fact that it hasn't really shown up in games just yet has more to do with a lack of skill or simply personal preference is something that we just don't know yet.

Personally, I'd like to see the Tigers put him on an aggressive promotion track. He needs to see better pitchers and better fielders, guys who are going to force him to develop skills in order to succeed. There's little doubt in my mind that he should be in Double A right now. He can feel free to hit .220 there as long as it gets him on the track to turning his top 10 talent into game ready skills.

by mrkupe on Jul 16, 2007 12:37 PM EDT reply actions

Promotions

I'm not so sure Maybin will be promoted this year to AA, whether he deserves it or not. The Tigers are very conservative with their players, and I would imagine they will keep him in high A the remainder of the season.

by CW on Jul 16, 2007 12:43 PM EDT up reply actions

Response

Wouldn't surprise me either, but I think it's pretty clear he's got adjustments to make to his overall approach in order to be successful at higher levels. And if he has to do it one way or the other, I'd rather see him getting a head start on it this year. I don't think there's much more he can really learn from competition at the A ball level - his raw talent is good enough to get him by.

by mrkupe on Jul 16, 2007 12:53 PM EDT up reply actions

mrkupe

I agree with your assesment that Maybin should be on an aggresive path.

One thing I'd like to point out is the FSL depresses power numbers. You put Maybin in the California League and he's slugging over .500.

My biggest concern with Maybin at this point is that he hasn't played in a game in two weeks.

by rwperu34 on Jul 16, 2007 3:40 PM EDT up reply actions

Tigers

are you saying the Tigers are conservative with position players? Because Andrew Miller is now a regular in the rotation 12 months after getting drafted. Bonderman, Verlander, and Zumaya all cruised into Detroit at a young age. So they certainly aren't conservative with the pitchers.

Hitters? Hard to say. Detroit has been seriously short on position talent for a long time, certainly since the current regime took over so there isn't much to base their development style on.

by dj on Jul 16, 2007 3:21 PM EDT up reply actions

The New management is conservative

I believe Bonderman was brought up under an old regime, not Dave Dombrowski, the current GM, and most Tigers fans agree he was rushed to the majors. This may well have hurt his progress as he was unable to develop a good 3rd pitch.

Miller and Verlander were "rushed" to the majors. Verlander after a full year in the minors, Miller with less than a full year. However, these are both college kids who fared pretty well in the minors.

Zumaya, a HS draftee, wasn't necessarily rushed to the majors. He spent 3 full seasons in the minor leagues. In his second year (which Maybin is in now), he was called up toward the end of the year to AA and only got a few starts in. Perhaps Maybin will be on the same promotion curve as Zumaya.

by CW on Jul 16, 2007 5:35 PM EDT up reply actions

actually

Dombrowski traded for Bonderman. They brought him up at 19 or 20 because he was simply better than everyone else they had available.

The Tigers seem to like to establish confidence with the younger players by letting them stay at a level for a full season. They seem to be very comfortable calling up players straight from AA though. ie Giarratano, Clevlen, Verlander, Miller

Maybin is still pretty raw and he recently hurt his shoulder. I wouldn't doubt that he finishes the season in Lakeland. They probably see no point in rushing him. Leyland seems to really like Raburn.

by nothingissound on Jul 16, 2007 6:17 PM EDT up reply actions

Ah

Touche

by CW on Jul 16, 2007 6:18 PM EDT up reply actions

note

"he flashes outstanding power in batting practice."

That line is used for a lot of prospects that haven't hit for power in the minors have that. Gomez shows great power in BP, Sizemore didn't have a lot of power in the minors, Maybin hasn't hit 10 HR in a season in the minors. Rios didn't hit for a lot of power in the minors either. Neither of these players hit more than 13 HR in a minor league season.

The players that have great power potential that have low power #'s in the minors are learning how to use their swings ie. Gomez, and Maybin and Rios had to learn in the majors. Gomez and Maybin are still very questionable in showing their power though Gomez hit a 410" blast in an area where only Wright and Beltran have reached this year. Rios at age 23 hit 1 HR in 426 AB and only 10 HR his 2nd year with a .262 average which made John write the article "is there any hope for Alex Rios", Rios finally showed his power last year at age 25 before he got hurt and showed his power in the derby this year and has 18 HR already with a shot at 35 this year. Sizemore now is a potential 30-35 HR a year canidate and one of the best all around players in the game.

by Bravesin07 on Jul 16, 2007 12:55 PM EDT reply actions

Response

No, it isn't used for a lot of prospects. It's what separates Maybin from your average toolsy guy with a big frame and "power potential". I've heard of Maybin hitting absolute bombs in BP. There are lots of guys who could show plus power one day and then there are guys like Maybin, who are showing it right now but not putting it to use in games.

The rest of your post is, to be honest, incredibly difficult to understand. It looks like you rambled on for several minutes about whatever you wanted to talk about rather than the actual subject at hand. I am not certain if there is a point to be found here or if you even intended to make a point.

by mrkupe on Jul 16, 2007 1:33 PM EDT up reply actions

showing 'tools' in practice

is nothing like showing tools in games. Lots of guys can blast the baseball in BP and cant hit 15 HR a year in the majors. Its a completely different animal when pitches are coming in faster than 65 MPH in BP that are straight.

http://www.redsminorleagues.com

by dougdirt on Jul 16, 2007 1:41 PM EDT up reply actions

Henry Blanco

put on one of the best power displays I have seen at Petco park last year. We all know what type of hitter he is.

Often heard from the opposing dugout when Henry is going to the mound, "Henry, stay behind the plate. The only thing you know about pitching is that it's very hard to hit."

by So Cal Bob on Jul 16, 2007 6:44 PM EDT up reply actions

bombs in BP

so did Ben Grieve.

But if he can't hit low sliders or curve-balls who cares what he does to BP fastballs? We all know he has the frame and the power.

The question has been about him rolling over a ton of pitches. This isn't power. This is about approach and ability to consistently hit a ball hard.

IMO - We should NEVER assume that a player will just magically learn to hit a ball hard.

We've seen many ballplayers that hit tons of flies and have weak BABIP into the OF because they are not strong enough to turn them into HR's, etc. Then these guys grow, mature, and develop. This is normal. But learn to be a hitter? Not so easy.

by pedrophile on Jul 17, 2007 12:33 AM EDT up reply actions

Wily Mo Pena

enough said.

by The Gottfather on Jul 16, 2007 2:52 PM EDT up reply actions

you mean

the guy averaging over 32 homers per 600 AB?

by Curtis Pride on Jul 16, 2007 2:57 PM EDT up reply actions

Right

Guys with power tend to develop it, they just work on their swings in the minors. I see what you're saying.

by mroak89 on Jul 16, 2007 3:25 PM EDT up reply actions

Gomez said that in a radio interview

The reason he doesn't try to his HR is because he wanted to have a consistant swing, and that he said it was starting to get there. This was before he was called up.

by Bravesin07 on Jul 16, 2007 3:39 PM EDT up reply actions

Olney thinks Maybin is getting a call up in sept.

I cannot see that happening, I can see Upton being up for a bit.

by Bravesin07 on Jul 16, 2007 2:05 PM EDT reply actions

Why

If Maybin was called up it'd be in a situational role, as a runner and defensive sub. Why couldn't you see that happening? I don't have a feeling either way, but him hitting .290 or .390 this year in A ball makes no difference for his chances of being called up, it'd be strictly situational.

by ian on Jul 16, 2007 5:49 PM EDT up reply actions

Roster Space

It's more about roster space than anything. Maybin is not on the 40 man roster, so they'd have to waive somebody to call him up. I'm sure they have expendable players on the 40 man, but if they don't plan on Maybin making the show next year, it's probably not worth it.

by rwperu34 on Jul 17, 2007 1:32 PM EDT up reply actions

Roster Space

I could see the Tigers letting Maybin take Monroe's spot next year. He's got to be better than Monroe right now. I agree though, they don't have the room for this season.

by nborton on Jul 17, 2007 3:30 PM EDT up reply actions

They have a roster spot

Roman Colon's spot on the 40 man has not been filled.

by BIgMax on Jul 17, 2007 4:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Maybin

is awesome.

by Curtis Pride on Jul 16, 2007 2:09 PM EDT reply actions

Overall Assesment

So basically, so far people are undecided on Maybin until he moves up a level.

Is that the general feeling?

by nborton on Jul 17, 2007 3:32 PM EDT reply actions

nah

His current game will not work at the higher levels, he's just using pure talent.

The problem is he IS getting results and probably won't listen.

The solution is promote him until he gets to a level where this doesn't work and he'll then realize there is some major work to be done. Only at that point will be understand if he has what it takes to change his game.

He either changes his approach or he will never be anything special.

by pedrophile on Jul 17, 2007 6:28 PM EDT up reply actions