Whither Adam Lind?

by CouncilmanJim on Aug 8, 2007 5:37 PM EDT

In late July, Indiansfan indicated in one of his reports that Adam Lind was in a 7 for 34 slump over a 10 game period. I was wondering what the community thought about his struggles this year and how they have impacted your views on him. What are we looking at here? I would appreciate hearing from anyone with any insight on Lind. Thanks.

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Lind

I watch Lind play alotta games , asI live in the same town. It seems like his confidence is down some. I also think he is where he belongs right now as I feel he was rushed a bit. The AL figured out how to pitch him after his hot start last year. I also think he may be working at the parts of his game that he struggled with at the MLB level, which may help him long term..but short term he is struggling. I still see a bright future ..but could need a full season in AAA

by NYSOX on Aug 8, 2007 5:58 PM EDT reply actions

Full season in AAA

I can see the need for that, but that would be at least be part of 3 seasons in AAA. I remember reading reports this offseason that he had nothing left to prove in AAA after his 2006 minor league season. If he spends all of next year in AAA, he'll be 26 in 2009 looking for a job I think. His BB% of 16.9% in AAA in '06 is an EXTREME outlier. His BABIP in '06 was .442 in AAA and .435 in Toronto, could it be that he's just not as good as some predicted?

by killa on Aug 8, 2007 6:47 PM EDT up reply actions

Lind in AAA

I guess what I meant was a full seasons worth of at bats..he only has slightly over 200 at bats in AAA....so maybe another half season next year may do him some good.

by NYSOX on Aug 8, 2007 8:29 PM EDT up reply actions

Good Point

I was just saying that I'm not sure whether Lind is really that good...I've thought of him as a 4th OF, I guess only time will tell!

by killa on Aug 8, 2007 9:09 PM EDT reply actions

lind

I dont really think he is or ever was an elite prospect either. Type of guy that may find a role on a team..dont think he will be a star.I am thinking he may end up being a Matt Stairs type guy in the big leagues.

by NYSOX on Aug 8, 2007 9:54 PM EDT reply actions

I always thought

He was overrated preseason, as Travis Snider I also felt had a brighter future, but I still think Lind should carve out a career role somewhat similar to that of Jay Gibbons, being a dependable and productive everyday player but never being a star.

Hey fish, leave those kids alone!

by The Congo Hammer on Aug 8, 2007 10:23 PM EDT reply actions

never underestimate

The power of a great cup of Coffee. I guess people expect a lot more from a guy when they play over their heads for 20 games. Jeremy Reed did the same thing, Paul Maholm and Zach Duke. Looking at his MiL numbers they were never that good for a college 1st baseman/corner outfielder. The good thing those is that his K's and BB's never really fell apart in the big leagues so maybe there is some hope

by Trenchtown on Aug 9, 2007 12:30 AM EDT up reply actions

Lind

Jay Gibbons is an excellent comp. A guy who always seems to be close to being replaced..yet solid enough that unless he gets an awful contract is a decent guy to have. The Aubrey Huff comparison is good...except without the versatility

by NYSOX on Aug 9, 2007 7:05 AM EDT up reply actions

Lind

I've watched probably 80% of his major league AB's.

He's very talented, but at this point his strike zone judgment leaves a bit to be desired. He chased way too many heaters up in the zone. (let's call it Vernon Wells disease)

I'm not sure if he would have been better off spending the year in AAA or not.

I think his upside is an above average major leaguer, but not likely an all star. Aubrey Huff comes to mind as a 50th percentile offensive comp.

by GregJP on Aug 8, 2007 11:48 PM EDT reply actions

Comps

Looking at the numbers for Gibbons and Huff and ignoring position and defense.

Gibbons - 0.260/0.315.0.453
Huff - 0.282/0.338/0.469

I'll be quite surprised if Lind doesn't hit at least 0.280 at the major league level once he settles in, and an 0.800 OPS at 1B/DH is probably just good enough for a starter.

I'd say Gibbons on average with peak years as good or better than Huff.

A complete flame out or bench role would really surprise me.

by GregJP on Aug 9, 2007 7:46 AM EDT reply actions

reed johnson

people have been forgetting about him -
Lind was probably supposed to spend half the year in AAA, but as the logical (and ONLY) fill-in for left field when Johnson was injured he was called up early.
There was also a good probability he would have been eased in as part of a platoon.

After Johnson returned from injury, with the Jays thinking themselves contenders, they were going to play Johnson all the time. Lind was returned to AAA to actually play and to get back confidence. i'd expect him back in september, and unless he's horrible in ST, up for good by june at the latest.

I agree with GregJP on his future. I'm disapointed, but not discouraged. Another thing to remember is that Lind's defence was better than expected - not having to shift to DH or 1B is more valuable than it might seem.

by lexomatic on Aug 9, 2007 9:30 AM EDT reply actions