Discussion Question: What Should Happen With Brandon Wood?

Since Japan is so different, it apparently helps hitters learn to command the zone, which he really needs. Have him over there for a year, bring him back on a MiLB deal, and call him up some time in the year.

Of course, this is all fantasy and has little to do with his current situation.

I mean, minor league rosters need depth afterall and he provides more interest than most minor league free agents. But as far as his major league future, I have my doubts he can even be a regular backup.

In 479 career plate appearances, he’s walked 13 times and struck out 145 times. He’s never shown even a flash of the prospect he was. Most busts seem to at least be good for a month or so and make you believe there is still something there. But this was the worst full-time player in 2010. Career .169/./198/.260. With numbers like that at least he’ll never be forgotten.

I never liked this kid when everyone seemed to label him a top prospect, the glaring holes in his swing and plate discipline seemed so obvious then. But this isn’t about me being right so far, it’s about the fact that he has only been up to bat 479 times, in the majors, in his career. Yet everyone writes him off when the kid has never even had a chance to really adjust or get comfortable with major league hitting. Add to that everyone telling him how to hit the last few years and it’s easy to see how things can get messed up (similar to Andrew Miller and mechanics).

I don’t think he should get another chance, cause I don’t think he has really been given a chance to date. Yes he has been really bad in his short stints, but a power bat when people tell him to hit differently and gets sporadic ab’s… well it’s hard for me to imagine doing all that well. To me this is about as text book on giving up on a prospect too early as their is. I’m sure I’ll get flack for this saying how bad he has been, but the thing is I know… I’ve watched him and seen him look clueless many of times, but even when i didn’t like him I still thought he would go on to hit .250 and 20hr, which i still think he a very good chance.

the Pirates would probably take him happily. We have guys like Andy Marte, Josh Fields, and Steve Pearce that have actual shots at making the roster. Brandon Wood would be an improvement over any of these guys. Pittsburgh also has a manager who could do be of major help to Wood’s swing. Clint Hurdle has a better chance than most guys at finding a solution to his woes. If he is able to play RF or SS he might even have a chance at starting. He would be under very little pressure and I could actually see him becoming a star. General manager Neal Huntington has also developed a reputation since his arrival in Pittsburgh of aquiring former top prospects thatt haven’t really worked out with their current teams. Lastings Milledge, Andy Marte, Hayden Penn, Andrew Lambo, James McDonald, Andy LaRoche, Bryan Morris, Jose Tabata, Ross Ohlendorf, Brandon Jones, Tim Alderson, and Ronny Cedeno are all guys who had fallen a significant distance from their best when they were aquired. Talented players who have struggled are given a chance with the Pirates. If they were to strike oil with one or two, the organization could rise to far greater heights. I like NH’s way of thinking. Brandon Wood would be a perfect fit for Pittsburgh and Pittsburgh would be a perfect fit for Brrandon Wood.

Even on a Milb deal, he would be behind multiple players….. in the minor leagues.

I’d make him fucking buy me lunch for 5 years wasted thinking he would finally break out in fantasy baseball.

First I’d grant Brandon Wood super human plate discipline skills along with special slider/curveball detecting sunglasses that turn into goggles at night so he doesn’t look like a douche. Then I’d fire hatcher so he stops “fixing” Brandon’s swing into a slap hitting, go-the-other-way middle infielder. Grateful for helping him, Brandon would then grant me box seats for the rest of my lifetime at Angel Stadium.

It could happen

for two or three seasons and then that is that.

Trade him to the Diamondbacks so he can outperform Mora and lets see what he can do in the desert air. Wood, Borchering, Allen, Miranda, & Davidson all make from some interesting CI options.