Lillibridge's Future

by Moozazan on Dec 3, 2008 1:42 PM EST

As a white sox fan, and a fan of prospects, i love the recent trade of vasquez. Regardless of who won the trade, i wonder on the players involved.

Brent Lillibridge has dotted the prospect radar after a solid effort in 2006 and a subsequent trade to Atlanta. I thought he would get shot bc of his defense and awesome numbers in A ball. Alas, regression took place and his avg, obp and slg. have all dipped for two consecutive years; the power imporvement in AAA is nice but with the expense of a huge K rate over 20%. The emergence of yunel escobar has made him expendable.

So where does his future lie. the white sox have a need up the middle. Lillibridge has shown the ability to man ss and 2b, and could be the stopgap till beckham is ready. But what kind of offensive player do you all expect?

Basic Statistics
Year	Age		Team	PA	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
2005	21	A-	Williamsport	191	169	19	41	12	4	4	18	14	35	.243	.298	.432	730
2006	22	A	Hickory	332	274	59	82	18	5	11	43	51	61	.299	.413	.522	935
2006	22	A+	Lynchburg	251	201	47	63	10	3	2	28	36	43	.313	.414	.423	837
2007	23	AA	Mississippi	237	204	31	56	8	3	3	17	20	60	.275	.346	.387	733
2007	23	AAA	Richmond	352	319	47	91	14	2	10	40	20	59	.285	.324	.436	760
2008	24	AAA	Richmond	402	354	46	78	18	7	4	39	33	90	.220	.291	.345	636
2008	24	MLB	Atlanta	85	80	9	16	6	1	1	8	3	23	.200	.235	.338	573

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Lillibridge

His defense is very, very good but his bat is a different story. Lillibridge’s problem is that he swings for the fences too often (and if you’ve seen a picture, you realize that he isn’t that kind of player). If he shortens his swing, he has some good at-bats, but it pretty much rids him of the power he showed in the minors. If he keeps the long swing, he has more power but looks completely overmatched most of the time. I think in the long run he has a chance to be a pretty good utility man or acceptable stopgap starter.

by was385 on Dec 3, 2008 2:21 PM EST reply actions

Love the pickup for the White Sox

I’ve been saying I think he’s a great buy-low, change of scenery guy. Maybe I’m wrong, but I like his chances to turn it around with the bat.

by aap212 on Dec 3, 2008 2:32 PM EST reply actions

not with the sox

Wouldn’t be surprised if they flip lillibridge in an ensuing trade.

by waka25 on Dec 3, 2008 2:46 PM EST reply actions

Good move.

I think he immediately starts and hovers around replacement level with the bat for the first year, then moves up towards league average hitter with plus defense, decent OBP and baserunning skills. There’s very little star potential here, but he could be a solid regular on a winning team. if he does better than ~ .270/.320/.370 in his first full season I’ll be pretty surprised, though. Not shocked, but surprised.

by slamcactus on Dec 3, 2008 3:39 PM EST reply actions