Brian Friday

by BadMaafala on Jun 5, 2009 1:00 PM EDT Comment 17 comments

After looking like a no-hit (or at least a no-power) SS prospect for a good portion of his career, Brian Friday has been impressive in 114 AB's this year. On one hand, his K% has been steady (17.5 vs 17.7) and his BB% has only improved insignificantly (9.5 vs 8.0). On the other hand, he's doing all that at a higher level, he has hit the same number of HR's in 114 AB at AA as he did in his previous 519 AB in A ball, and his XB% has jumped from 7.7% to 12.3%. His BABIP is currently sitting at .367, which seems high to me, but it's not much higher than his previous career average of .341, and if his power has truly improved it could account for the higher BABIP.

I know he's drawn pretty good reviews with his glove, and his RF/G and Fld% metrics compare favorably to Bixler, so if he's developing some real power, he could suddenly be a pretty good prospect. What does everyone else think? Could he be our starting SS in 2011? Is the power here to stay? Did he juice up over the offseason or just develop power like a lot of 22-23 year olds? Is he just getting lucky? I'm nowhere near as knowledgeable about these things as many around BD, so I'd love some other opinions.

0 recs | Comment 17 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

I agree

I feel better now that Friday is the SS of the future rather than Bixler…at least with what is currently in the system. I’m still not sold that we couldn’t find someone better in a deal this year. Remember that Vazquez signed for two years, so he could provide a one-year stopgap at SS if needed.

by Brakeman8 on Jun 5, 2009 3:22 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

don't

get too far ahead of yourself. friday’s overall line is still inflated a bit by a good first week of the season. his May wasn’t very good offensively (including 19.4% K and 6% BB). He did finish strong and has continued into June, so hopefully it was merely him warming back up…let him keep hitting like this in Indy (hello, second half?) and I shall certainly jump on ye olde bandwagon

by geeves on Jun 5, 2009 7:15 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, I know. I just thought it was interesting how the HR% jumped so much, since HR’s aren’t quite as much about luck for hitters as a lot of other things. We’ll see, I guess. I’m hopeful, though.

charity standing orders

by BadMaafala on Jun 5, 2009 10:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Keep in mind...

that Friday was out for a while with balance/inner ear issues. That may have affected his May numbers significantly. Just ask Joey Votto.

by Thunder on Jun 6, 2009 2:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, I think you can stick a fork in Bixler and Steve Pearce in terms of the Pirates’ long-term plans. Friday is making me feel good. Let’s just hope he continues to improves. Any regression (like Pearce) would be a major disappointment.

by mspirate on Jun 6, 2009 3:53 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Actually...Pearce...

started the season in Indy 3-41 in the first 10 games…since then…he’s hitting .323. Might he have been “pouting” the first week or so after being disappointed to return to AAA?

by Thunder on Jun 6, 2009 2:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Has Pearce learned to hit a change up? or made his strike zone smaller?
Are his strikeouts down? and is he making more contact and taking balls, getting walks, etc.

If his HR drop, well that’s not an issue as much as his strikeout rate i believe that NH/FC really tend to emphasize.

and how is his fielding in Right and 1st Base.

by lfhlaw on Jun 7, 2009 12:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think it's time ...

for both Friday and Lincoln to move up to Indy. Bucs also have an intersting decision to make with Chase playing SS as well as he has in West Virgina. Mercer isn’t tearing up Lynchburg and I don’t believe NH wants to move either off of SS just yet.

by Slick1 on Jun 6, 2009 1:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I wonder how Mercer would deal...

with going to WV. It sorta makes sense just to flip D’Arnaud and Mercer…if it wouldn’t affect Mercer negatively. I don’t see them jumping Chase to AA if Friday moves up. More likely…Bixler goes down for a little while.

by Thunder on Jun 6, 2009 2:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don’t think Mercer is doing poorly enough to be demoted. Both guys are bat first prospects who might end up at 2B anyway, so it wouldn’t be the end of the world to put either Chase or Mercer there while they’re hitting at the same level. I think they could both probably use some time hitting at A+ before moving them up.

As for Friday, I don’t know if I’d promote him just yet. If it was his plate discipline that was driving his improvement, I’d consider it, but him developing his natural power doesn’t mean he has less to learn at AA. I think what he’s done in 114 AB’s is good reason for optimism, but a poor reason as of yet to revamp the development plan for him.

charity standing orders

by BadMaafala on Jun 6, 2009 2:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think the Pirates would just cut Bixler before they demoted him to Double-A. For a guy to fall that far in three years, I think he would just rather the Pirates save him the embarassment and cut him. Bixler is no longer in the Pirates’ future plans. He was three years ago when he got his first shot to show that he was the future after Jack, but he has taken so many steps back, it wouldn’t be worth it.

by mspirate on Jun 7, 2009 1:03 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

They wouldn’t release him. He would just be permanent MiLB filler unless some other GM was sniffing glue all day and wanted him as a throw in with another player in a trade.

So you think 25 percent of the country is retarded!? Yea, totally. Atleast 25 percent. Well lets do a sample. There are 4 of us and you're retarded. Thats 25 percent. -South Park; Mystery of the Urinal Deuce.

by gorillakilla34 on Jun 7, 2009 8:32 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It’s nice to have a glove at SS if you need it because of injuries though they have Vasquez.

At best from what I’ve seen of Bixler.
Range= Average
Hitting=below average at MLB lvl so far
Fielding = average

I don’t know how many ‘runs’ Jack Wilson saves during a game, but you’ve gotta admit he’s great defensively and i know the pirates will sorely miss the defensive capabilities. That’s IF he’s traded. I mean every year it’s mentioned and it never happens. I think NH/FC are really trying to get something good for him. Something top tier because of his defense which makes it hard for some teams to pull the trigger.

by lfhlaw on Jun 7, 2009 12:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Jack's Bat

If you look at Jack’s batting stats the past few years, he can still hit .275 and have an OBP over .300 In his worst year recently, (2005) he hit 253 and still had an OBP of .299

His value is one defense where is is still a huge plus, and for a #8 hitter, he isn’t terrible. I’m not saying he’s an offensive threat, but the guy can hit. It’s not like he’s Rey Ordonez out there.

Also for what it’s worth, I feel as though he is a decent “clutch” hitter. I know the metrics usually show this to be worthless, but I’ve definitely seen him come through in the ninth or 8th a few times this year, and of all average to below average hitters I can think of, I don’t mind seeing him up in a big situation. Just a personal opinion.

RIP NATE. LADIES AND GENTLEMEN...MISTER TONY PLUSH!

by GTrain on Jun 8, 2009 10:16 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs