Reading Way too Much into Tabata in Right Field

I really could not figure out why Tabata would play RF. Ludwick likes LF better? Doubt it. His glove and arm plays much better in RF. Because Presley would be a better fit in LF? I don't think so, I mean Presley is a good OF, but I do not believe he is better than Tabata. What else could it be? We all know Tabata loves Clements and would be thrilled to play RF, but that is hardly a reason to move him to right. OK here is my theory..... They are getting ready for Marte, possibly next year. We made it through the trade deadline without a major deal, Marte is showing all the growth and signs that he is ready to be an above average CF. His bat, which is good-not elite- will be above average in CF. So, the best OF could be Tabata in RF, Marte in CF & 'Cutch moving to LF. Probably the worst part of 'Cutch's game is his arm and LF is so big in PNC he would be a long term great (possibly gold) LF. Tabata is not a prototypical RF, however that would be a great OF. Best in Baseball great, possibly all time great. It would be great for JMac and those fly balls, Good for Correia and Karstens. When Morton or Maholm pitch, they can spot start Jones. Would totally be excited for a starting OF of 'Cutch, Tabs and Marte, with Jones/Diaz (yeah, he will probably be around next year unless they can ship him off) and Presley as a 5th OF.

10 months ago NHpiratefan 19 comments 0 recs |

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Marte

Is unlikely to skip AAA completely. The Pirates do have some history of that-Jose Guillen skipped AAA AND AA in 97 but he was the 27th ranked prospect in baseball that year and the Pirates had a serious need. Presley has been good enough that the Pirates don’t have to rush Marte out of Spring Training. Even Gorkys is probably closer to the bigs than Marte, to be honest with you.

by KentuckyPirate on Aug 10, 2011 2:37 PM EDT reply actions

Tabata needs to develop a power stroke

Presley, Gorkys, and Marte fit the leadoff hitter profile and Cutch the classic 3 hole hitter. So if we are to keep him, Tabata needs to adjust from leadoff hitting to slugging over the next 2 years to be the power hitting corner outfielder the Bucs need. He should be hitting in the 5 hole or 6 hole. If his skills don’t project for that role, then Tabata should be traded and the Bucs just settle for someone like Ludwick at corner who doesn’t give up too much on D.

by Central*Scrutinizer on Aug 10, 2011 3:43 PM EDT reply actions

i dont think Marte fits the leadoff hitter profile, and neither does Gorky's.

i think both of these guys are 7th or 8th in the lineup hitters

by white angus on Aug 10, 2011 3:52 PM EDT up reply actions

If

Marte could learn to walk a little bit, he’s the perfect lead-off hitter.

He could be a decent OBP guy with great speed and enough power where he might actually create some fear in pitchers and manage some walks.

Da'Sean Butler - A Mountaineer Legend

by McCutchenIsTheTruth on Aug 10, 2011 4:14 PM EDT up reply actions

oh i agree

but most players who come up with low walk counts dont change.

by white angus on Aug 10, 2011 5:46 PM EDT up reply actions

what?

I thought the whole basis of Charlie’s “let’s wait and see” argument with Robbie Grossman was that young players can develop plate patience/walks but are much less likely to develop contact skills and power. So it’s better to see high BA and HRs when evaluating prospects than high walk totals. I don’t have a position, just thought that was a widely accepted position held by experts.

by calvinp on Aug 11, 2011 9:17 AM EDT up reply actions

maybe, but im not an expert

im better than that.

by white angus on Aug 11, 2011 10:42 AM EDT up reply actions

expert texpert, choking smokers

don’t you think the joker laughs at you?
hee hee hee, ha ha ha

by calvinp on Aug 11, 2011 11:45 AM EDT up reply actions

goo goo g'joob!

Free your ass and your mind will follow.

by cocktailsfor2 on Aug 11, 2011 12:48 PM EDT up reply actions

Or you know, you just take a team that can score runs any way you can get it.

Tabata being a .350+ OBP guy with little power and great fielding is good enough for me from a cost controlled player.

by Justin Mos on Aug 10, 2011 9:59 PM EDT up reply actions

Why does Tabata need more power?

If he can fit the leadoff role ok, and I see no reason he can’t, why can’t he just stay there? His OBP this year has been good despite a lower than hoped for BA. His minor league track record as far as being a .300 hitter is every bit as impressive as Marte’s. He has good speed and between Cutch, Alvarez, A Power hitting 1B/3B (depending on Pedro’s position) that we pull out of our ass and Walker, I feel like we have 3-6 filled out nicely.

by KentuckyPirate on Aug 11, 2011 10:07 AM EDT up reply actions

totally agree

by white angus on Aug 11, 2011 10:42 AM EDT up reply actions

better arm than pressley and Ludwick

if Alex is playing he should be in left.

by BucLuver on Aug 10, 2011 4:29 PM EDT reply actions

This one is really easy

see Tabata has a hamstring injury. Meaning the Pirates would way rather he not put strain on it. Therefore he plays in a position that requires he run around less. He’ll be in Left next year regardless, but will remain in right as hammy’s get re-injured easily and then can become longterm issues (see Reyes, Jose)

Bees Bees Everywhere

by VoteforPedro on Aug 10, 2011 7:29 PM EDT reply actions

Technically,

it is a quad (front), not hammy (back), but yeah not good to over-stress it. This is why on another thread I opined that Bucs will keep XP, because they have noone else to backup Cutch.

by Central*Scrutinizer on Aug 11, 2011 2:17 AM EDT up reply actions

It wouldn't surprise me

If Paul is let go after this year and the Bucs see what they have in Gorkys Hernandez (at least as a backup). Paul has been ok but nothing special and Hernandez is a better defender and has been ok at the plate this year. If I had to guess right now about our opening day outfielders in 2012, I’d say Cutch, Tabata, Presley, Jones and Hernandez.

by KentuckyPirate on Aug 11, 2011 9:59 AM EDT up reply actions