How does Buck Project?

by bajablue on Dec 7, 2007 9:15 AM PST Comment 15 comments

Any feelings / opinions on where Buck projects; what his upside is? Is he a full time corner guy or a 4th OFer? His minor league stats are slim because he is so young, was a college draftee and was brought up quick. I would be happy with .285/.360/.475 every year but was wondering what others thought about this and his ability to play every day.

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Well, both ZIPS and Bill James predict

that he'll more or less match his performance this year, with some questions persisting about his health. As usual, James is more optimistic about hitters by about 20 points of OPS.

He definitely doesn't project as a 4th outfielder. If I had to stake a guess, I'd see him as a lot like Shannon Stewart-- a guy with some injury problems but who's clearly quite talented when he's on the field and will have some excellent seasons.

cardinalprecepts.blogspot.com

by PaulThomas on Dec 7, 2007 9:09 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

I'd expect him to draw a few more walks ...

but I'd say your numbers are a pretty fair middle of the road projection.

He has the downside of a 4th outfielder and the upside of a "2nd" outfielder. He doesn't really have much star potential, though.

"It's for your own good. Big strong Devo knows whats best for Poppy" -- Mossback

by devo on Dec 7, 2007 9:49 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Unless he takes ster...

er, cough, I mean, improves his power numbers, he's not going to be a star.

Then again, he's young enough that he might. Supposedly the organization thinks that his home run count will go up in future years as more of the balls that are doubles right now leave the yard.

cardinalprecepts.blogspot.com

by PaulThomas on Dec 7, 2007 9:58 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I know that Human Growth Hormone is outlawed

Is there any Chimp Growth Hormone or anything that might not be against the rules yet? Or is that what Jay Gibbons was taking?

I'm a little lad who loves berries and cream!

by JediLeroy on Dec 7, 2007 3:27 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Primate Growth Hormone

It's what gave Gibbons his great swing.

"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s

by Nick on Dec 7, 2007 3:57 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Just keep him off

the Bonobo Growth Hormone.

by Archaeologist on Dec 8, 2007 7:16 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I think he'll have some

.900+ OPS seasons, which you could call star material.

The Warriors are so hot they set the KeyArena scoreboard on FIRE!-some espn commenter

by mikeA on Dec 7, 2007 11:37 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

i think buck will be a star

if he can stay healthy, that is.

buck is a big kid (6'3" whereas barton is listed as 5'11"), he already put on a lot of muscle last year, he'll have decent power.

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Dec 7, 2007 7:18 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

It depends on his position.

If Buck stays in a corner outfield position for the majority of his career, then he'll probably remain an average or slightly above average player for many seasons.

Buuuut...if he were to be able to play center field adequately for several seasons, stay healthy AND put up the stats that you mentioned above, then he would dramatically increase his value.

Not sure if he can make the switch to center though, but it's possible...

by Taj Adib on Dec 7, 2007 12:18 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

I dunno -- never heard him sing

"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s

by Nick on Dec 7, 2007 1:09 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Fact: Buck will not play every day

Off days, All-star break, etc....

I'm a little lad who loves berries and cream!

by JediLeroy on Dec 7, 2007 3:24 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

I can't stand those players who sit out

during the off-season. They're lazy bums.

In search of a new signature. Say something funny and you may see your comment here!

by DMOAS on Dec 7, 2007 3:26 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I would love those numbers, however...

Here are some 2008 projections:

Chone: .274/.356/.432
ZiPS: .283/.360/.458

That's definately a solid line, but you may be a little bullish on his power potential.

In a perfect world, he starts hitting a few more HRs over the next few years and turns into a .290/.380/.500 corner OF. I think he's likely to be an above average corner OF for his time on the A's provided he can stay healthy.

by MrIncognito on Dec 7, 2007 8:06 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Repeat after me:

Please don't be Rocco Baldelli
Please don't be Rocco Baldelli
Please don't be Rocco Baldelli
Please don't be Rocco Baldelli
Please don't be Rocco Baldelli

cardinalprecepts.blogspot.com

by PaulThomas on Dec 7, 2007 9:02 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm still waiting for an answer -

How does Buck project? Is it "back of the auditorium" well or not quite that impressive?

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Dec 7, 2007 8:20 PM PST reply actions 0 recs