Monday Rockpile: Troy Tulowitzki doesn't like losing seasons

by Russ Oates on Sep 15, 2008 8:13 AM MDT in Rockpile

Since the Rockies are going to have a sub-.500 record this season, let's remember that Troy Tulowitzki has finally experienced his first losing season. Let's look at that for a minute:

Team	Year	W-L
LBSU	2003	41-20
LBSU	2004	40-21
LBSU	2005	32-22
Tulsa	2006	75-64
Col	2007	90-73
Col	2008	68-82

Still, this chart is something we should give more attention to:

	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	BABIP
2nd Half	178	22	56	9	2	3	21	19	26	.315	.380	.438	.351

During the first half of the season, Tulo's BABIP was an absurdly low .175. So, basically Tulo's had a tale of two extremes this season, but a .351 BABIP isn't entirely out of the blue for him. Last year he had a .340 BABIP in the first half and .329 in the second half. While it is hard to maintain a high BABIP, it's not entirely out of the question. One of Tulo's favorite players, Derek Jeter, holds a career .360 BABIP. Just sayin', not comparin'. We'll get more into those non-traditional stats after the season is over and review how things went for each person on the roster.

Greg Reynolds thinks his first major league start in over two months will be the start of something good, and Ryan Spilgborghs debates whether he should play winter ball in Mexico this season. See here. Should Spilly make up for the lost playing time with the Rockies by heading south or should he spend the off season preparing for Spring Training? That is, if the two aren't the same thing.

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Spilly's Winter Plans

Winter ball scares me as the baseball season is physically and mentally grueling. Spilly, however, missed a large chunk of the season and heading south of the border might give him a leg up on the 2009 season. I’m really focused on the center field position going into next year as the Rox have quite a few names competing for the spot. Who do you see starting in center next season? Anyone outside of the possible names of Tavares, Spilborghs, or Fowler? Great post! Keep up the good work!

- J.C.F.

James C. Foote
FooteMedia@gmail.com
Author, TuloTrader.blogspot.com

by JCFoote on Sep 15, 2008 10:10 AM MDT reply actions

I know opinions are like....

…well, you know. But here’s mine.

This depends on what happens with Holliday, but I think we’re going in to next season with Spilly as our starting CF, in a possible platoon with Seth Smith. Fowler goes off to AAA, unless he hits lights out in spring training against major league pitching (and not the AAAA players who play the “B” games). If the Rockies trade Holliday over the offseason (I don’t think he’ll be traded until the trading deadline), You’ll see Spilly in left, Tavares in center, and Smith as the 4th outfielder.

As much as Willy T does not need to be a major league leadoff hitter, I just don’t see the Rockies trading him if they most Holliday first, because the team doesn’t seem to be looking to bring in outfielders in any Holliday/Atkins trades, and doesn’t have a lot down below to bring up. Plus, he’s cheap. He does NOT need to be hitting leadoff. I suppose if we had real production elsewhere in the order, he’d be a nice player to keep around and have batting 8th.

Watching the purple row from high atop the big brown monolith on California Ave

by Mondogarage on Sep 15, 2008 12:13 PM MDT reply actions

Brewers fired Ned Yost

Huh. Seems like exceedingly odd timing.

by holly96 on Sep 15, 2008 1:16 PM MDT reply actions

Huh?

I mean that’s either incredibly stupid, incredibly ballsy, or both.

Link.

"Never Surrender Dreams" - Inscription on J. Michael Straczynski's bench

Purple Row - Covering all your Rockies needs!

by Russ Oates on Sep 15, 2008 1:26 PM MDT up reply actions

I must have football on the brain

Because that also sounds like a perfect description of Shanahan yesterday, too.

And yeah, I don’t quite get it. Maybe it’s less of a punishment, per se, as it is a move they think will markedly improve their chances the last two weeks of the season and hopefully the playoffs. Like they think this puts their best “team” on the field. I don’t know.

by holly96 on Sep 15, 2008 1:49 PM MDT up reply actions

Stupid, stupid, stupid

I fail to see how this helps the Brewers in their playoff push. Fire the manager with two weeks left in the season! Usually you only see that with a team that’s going nowhere and wants to get a jump on finding a new manager.

by Tom (RFTN) on Sep 15, 2008 2:00 PM MDT up reply actions

You mean

a team like…say….the Rox, might fire their manager with two weeks left in the season?

We can only wish.

by 4thturn on Sep 15, 2008 4:05 PM MDT up reply actions

Would you advocate

Firing Hurdle right now and hiring Yost?

Watching the purple row from high atop the big brown monolith on California Ave

by Mondogarage on Sep 16, 2008 3:19 PM MDT up reply actions

Yes

to the first part of the question and no to the second.

by 4thturn on Sep 16, 2008 9:24 PM MDT up reply actions

Then who would you hire?

Point being, what purpose is served by firing Hurdle now, as opposed to after the regular season? It’s not going to help you land anyone in particular in the offseason.

Watching the purple row from high atop the big brown monolith on California Ave

by Mondogarage on Sep 17, 2008 11:59 AM MDT up reply actions

On the Rockies

I’m with others who have shifted to the off-season watch a little early. I really enjoy following that part of baseball, so I’m excited (and cautiously optimistic) to see what the Rockies decide to do.

by holly96 on Sep 15, 2008 1:18 PM MDT reply actions