What's happened to Ronny Cedeno?

by DGU on Jun 24, 2008 11:48 PM CDT

On May 6, he was hitting .373/.458/.549. Since then, he has hit .190/.242/.207. Ronny’s approach has also obviously changed. Where before, he worked the count and took bad pitches, he’s gone back to swinging at pitches he could never hope to hit. Clearly, this isn’t just a hitter going from good luck to bad luck. This is a hitter going from a good approach to a bad approach. Why?

Well, Ronny’s best stretch was from April 19 – 27 where he got to start every game but one. In regular playing time, he hit .394/.429/.606. During that stretch, he hit his only HR this year, a Grand Slam against the Mets on April 22.

via www.newsday.com

Then, he didn’t start again until May 6. Since May 7, Ronny has only started consecutive games twice: May 15-16 & June 17-18.

Lou claims that if you hit, you’ll play, although for Cedeno this has not been the case. Ronny was one of the Cubs’ hottest bats in the first month and was passed over for playing time not just by Theriot (for whom there is a clear case to play), but also by Mike Fontenot (whose only case was in his left-handedness). Despite doing well playing 2B during Soriano's first absense, Cedeno has now been passed over by Eric Patterson and Matt Murton. When Patterson had a big game, Lou responded saying Eric had earned himself some more starts. Lou often rewards HRs with playing time. For example, on May 3, Mike Fontenot hit his second HR. He got to start the next two games.

Ronny tried the patient approach and found it did not earn him playing time. (From May 10-27, he got to play in 4 complete games, reaching base 8/19 PAs in the CGs, but not hitting for hardly any power.) It seems to me that he is desperate to hit another HR, perhaps thinking that is what gets Lou’s attention. Cedeno is swinging hard at everything because that is what he thinks he needs to do to win successive playing days.

Anyway, that’s my theory. Anyone have a better perspective?

Poll

What's happened to Ronny Cedeno?

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation, Bleed Cubbie Blue, or Al Yellon, editor-in-chief. FanPost opinions are, however, valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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Comments

Even if he hasn't gotten enough PT,

I think that’s no reason to swing at bad pitches.

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by Unique on Jun 25, 2008 3:12 AM CDT 0 recs

It's not, but...

... it’s a lot harder to keep your timing down when you’re seeing about six pitches a week.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Jun 25, 2008 4:41 AM CDT up 0 recs

I agree

But Daryle Ward, who hadn’t seen ANY pitches in quite some time, seemed to have the right idea last night. The pressure in that situation should be on the pitcher, not on the hitter. I’m sure Ronny remembered that when he was walking back to the bench.

"Whoo, boy! Next time around, bring me back my stomach!" -Jack Brickhouse

by Goodie1969 on Jun 25, 2008 2:04 PM CDT up 0 recs

Not entirely true.

DWaryle just finished up a rehab assignment in Triple A, where he presumably saw a lot of pitches. Ward is also much more experienced that Cedeno.

Nanika Ga Okoru!

by dat cubfan daver on Jun 25, 2008 2:32 PM CDT up 0 recs

very true

Do you think he should get more playing time? If so where do you play him?

Grant Earnhart

by ernie87 on Jun 25, 2008 5:45 AM CDT 0 recs

He shouldn't

And he’s trying way to hard to earn it.

"Check the magic of a winning season and there are always reasons beyond the talent." Ned Colleti

by wrigleyrocker12 on Jun 25, 2008 8:45 AM CDT up 0 recs

Why not?

Try Ronnie in left , it keeps Deroe on the field and outta left….lol

Grant Earnhart

by ernie87 on Jun 25, 2008 5:46 AM CDT 0 recs

Boy, oh boy

he looked like pre-2008 Cedeno in his last AB last night. Swung at the 1st pitch after DeRo walks and Theriot goes to a full count, both of them reaching.

Then swings at 2 up in the eyes. I hope he doesn’t revert to his old ways.

When they loaded the bases with no outs, I was thinking of all the different ways they can win the game. Never did I expect to see 3 straight K’s and all of the guys looking bad whiffing.

Sweet Lou for Mayor in '11.

by blackhawk24 on Jun 25, 2008 6:18 AM CDT 0 recs

That had to be...........

..............on of the worst ABs I’ve ever witnessed.

"Happiness? A good cigar, a good meal, a good cigar and a good woman - or a bad woman; it depends on how much happiness you can handle." ~ George Burns

by tville on Jun 25, 2008 7:51 AM CDT up 0 recs

All three of them.

I’ve never seen three AB’s in a row like that. Atrocious all around.

"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07

by gary varsho on Jun 25, 2008 7:58 AM CDT up 0 recs

No kidding.

I mean Sherrill is good and that’s not irrelevant to our guys striking out, but Ronny was utterly hacktastic.

by DGU on Jun 25, 2008 7:59 AM CDT up 0 recs

As were Dome and Hank.

I don’t think Sherrill through a single pitch in the strike zone to Dome.

"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07

by gary varsho on Jun 25, 2008 8:01 AM CDT up 0 recs

The first strike was called, IIRC

by Wreckard on Jun 25, 2008 9:41 AM CDT up 0 recs

It was the second pitch, but it looked off the plate.

"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07

by gary varsho on Jun 25, 2008 9:46 AM CDT up 0 recs

Right, second pitch, first strike

I agree it looked a tad outside. Dome’s response to the call usually tells me whether or not it was a strike – he seems more consistent than the umps.

by Wreckard on Jun 25, 2008 10:43 AM CDT up 0 recs

100% agreed.

I’m probably exaggerating here, but I believe Cedeno’s AB in the ninth last night cost the Cubs the game. It was an absolute momentum killer, and Sherrill seemed to really regain his confidence afterward. Where art thou, 1Dec?

Nanika Ga Okoru!

by dat cubfan daver on Jun 25, 2008 9:40 AM CDT up 0 recs

I KNOW THIS DOESN'T BELONG HERE

but didn’t want to create a new post for it only.

ESPN2 has BONNIE BERNSTEIN on with Mike & Mike now. On the streaming version, she’s on the set with the guys, just walking around behind them during commercial break and all I can think is how LUCKY these guys are to be around a drop dead gorgeous woman who just happens to know sports pretty damned well.

Sweet Lou for Mayor in '11.

by blackhawk24 on Jun 25, 2008 6:57 AM CDT 0 recs

COMING UP NEXT ON ESPN2

about 08:15 CDT….

Sweet Lou for Mayor in '11.

by blackhawk24 on Jun 25, 2008 8:10 AM CDT up 0 recs

Let me know when Erin Andrews makes an appearance.

"Whoever wants to know the heart and mind of America had better learn baseball." - Jacque Barzun

by Bump Bailey on Jun 25, 2008 12:57 PM CDT up 0 recs

He realized he was Ronny Cedeno.

He’s not good at baseball.

by kanderber on Jun 25, 2008 7:31 AM CDT 0 recs

The old Ronny is back

and it’s time for him to be playing for another team. If we can’t trade him, cut him.

Cubs Win!! Cubs Win!

by Ihatethecards on Jun 25, 2008 7:43 AM CDT 0 recs

Man, talk about an overreaction.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Jun 25, 2008 7:53 AM CDT up 0 recs

He's been swinging at neck high strikes

for a month now in almost every at bat. His defense is just ok, he is not a pinch hitter, and not really an outfielder. On this roster, he’s relegated to being a pinch runner, and not a very good one. I’d rather have Jason Marquis and Fontenot in that role.

Cubs Win!! Cubs Win!

by Ihatethecards on Jun 25, 2008 8:09 AM CDT up 0 recs

It seems to me more like the past two weeks

than for the past month. Does anyone have a better timeline for this? The gamelogs suggest he was still walking in May.

by DGU on Jun 25, 2008 8:14 AM CDT up 0 recs

Well, May WAS a month ago...

Since May 26 (one month ago), Cedeno is 5-32 with 2 BB and 10 K. Since May 28, he’s 4-29 with 1 BB and 10 K.

Now, of course, there is a lot of dead space in that month. But he’s been pretty bad for a full month now.

by SouthernCub on Jun 26, 2008 8:38 AM CDT up 0 recs

Overreaction?

Yes, agreed. Just a little more of an overreaction than thinking someone should be starting after playing well for a single month early in the season.

by BringBackRyno on Jun 25, 2008 8:12 AM CDT up 0 recs

Well...

... if you play well for a single month, maybe you’ve earned more playing time? And is it wrong to suggest that not getting regular playing time might hurt any hitter’s timing?

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Jun 25, 2008 8:51 AM CDT up 0 recs

Waddle and Silvy

had on their show this morning, that Cedeno’s dropped off significantly since end April. Don’t know who provided that info to them but that seemed a shock. It’s been 7-8 weeks since he was hot?

Sweet Lou for Mayor in '11.

by blackhawk24 on Jun 25, 2008 1:20 PM CDT up 0 recs

Fail.

Players go through slumps. It happens. Ryan Theriot made a horrid baserunning play and screwed up a flyball in LF last night. No one’s calling for his ouster. Mark Derosa made a bad baserunning play and hit into a rally-crushing DP. No one’s calling for him to be cut. Let’s just calm down. The Cubs played a horrible game last night. Bad defense, bad baserunning, and bad hitting. It happens.

"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07

by gary varsho on Jun 25, 2008 8:00 AM CDT up 0 recs

I didn't catch the

baserunnign gaffe or the DP but did see the flyball. That’s the OF’ers mistake, not IF’er. If you’re an OF’er and gonna call off everyone else, it helps to actually catch the ball.

Even with all the issues, bags loaded, no outs in the 9th…I had at least 10 ways come to my mind quickly on how they were gonna win it, outside the obvious granny.

Sweet Lou for Mayor in '11.

by blackhawk24 on Jun 25, 2008 8:09 AM CDT up 0 recs

Theriot shouldn't even have been

out there. The baserunning gaffe was on Marshall’s bunt. Marshall wasn’t sure if it was fair or foul, and stopped a minute at the plate, and Theriot inexplicably stops between 1st and 2nd, making for an easy double play. There is absolutely no reason for Theriot not be running hard on ball on the ground. Derosa got doubled off first.

"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07

by gary varsho on Jun 25, 2008 8:15 AM CDT up 0 recs

I am not a big fan of

Theriot either but the dropped fly ball last night was all Eric Patterson’s fault. Theriot was camped under it and waving everyone off when Patterson called him off. The ball was only 20 to 25 feet behind 2nd base which would make it the shortstops ball. They called it a hit but it should have been an error on Patterson.

I have not been impressed with Theriot running the bases all year, I think he believes he is a lot faster than he really is.

by cubdreamer on Jun 25, 2008 8:51 AM CDT up 0 recs

It was an error.

Originally ruled a hit, later changed to an error on Patterson.

You’re right that the play was all Patterson’s fault. Theriot had the ball. Patterson should have backed off.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Jun 25, 2008 8:52 AM CDT up 0 recs

Agreed -- the IF should go out until the OF calls him off

by Shanghai Badger on Jun 25, 2008 8:54 AM CDT up 0 recs

Maybe he forgot he didn't have to be covering for Soriano

on that play. Anyone notice the last few weeks before Soriano went down that our SS’s went out towards left like a race horse when Soriano was in LF, like there was some type of “issue” with the LF’er coming in on balls?

Sweet Lou for Mayor in '11.

by blackhawk24 on Jun 25, 2008 1:22 PM CDT up 0 recs

Agreed

And while we’re at it, Marmol has absolutley sucked his lst few times. They should cut him too.

And how is Billy Williams still on the Cubs payroll? When’s the last time he’s had a clutch hit? Santo! You’re next!

Formerly NO100

by jerry morales rules on Jun 25, 2008 9:47 AM CDT up 0 recs

He does not look comfortable

in the box.

When he was hot, he seemed to slow his movements in the box pre-pitch, then lock and load.

Now, he seems to be jittery in the box, swinging out of his shoes….

In that situation he just needed to be more patient…and he was not…

"Aw, how could he (Jorge Orta) lose the ball in the sun, he's from Mexico." -- Harry Carey

by TheRiot Police on Jun 25, 2008 8:02 AM CDT 0 recs

That's a good point.

When Ronny was hitting well early this season, he was very focused and relaxed at the dish, but lately he’s all over the place. I think his and Murton’s swings looked just awful last night.

"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07

by gary varsho on Jun 25, 2008 8:04 AM CDT up 0 recs

So, what's causing this?

Granted, we may never know. They may be going through rough personal times or something.

by DGU on Jun 25, 2008 8:15 AM CDT up 0 recs

Over-excitement,

looking to be the hero, swinging for the fences instead of just hitting the ball hard and hitting it where it’s pitched.

I forgot who did this earlier in the night, but one of the bigger names (RH batter) on the team swung at a pitch just about belt high just outside the outside corner, rolled over it and grounded out to 3rd. This shit’s gonna happen. I just hope now they got any of this silly streak stuff out of their minds and they go out and win tonight.

Just win baby, just win.

Sweet Lou for Mayor in '11.

by blackhawk24 on Jun 25, 2008 8:22 AM CDT up 0 recs

I agree with balckhawk on Ronny.

He’s just too amped up and pressing, but Murton’s swing looks ruined.

"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07

by gary varsho on Jun 25, 2008 8:27 AM CDT up 0 recs

I voted for "pressing"

I believe Ronny wants the playing time bad. He knows and Lou knows he has the better glove than Theriot, but Lou sticks withTheriot becasue Lou sees the .310 average. Since I reside on the East coast, had to view the game on the O’s network, Jim Palmer who does the color for the network, spoke with Lou and Lou essentially stated this to Palmer. Take it for what it is worth.
I just wish Lou would run Ronny out there once in a while against a righty not just against a lefty.
Agree with Murton, his swing seems rigid, no fluid action at all. He is a mess at the plate.

"Have You heard of the Boom on Mizar 5?"

by Grockcubs on Jun 25, 2008 8:43 AM CDT up 0 recs

Do we have a recording or a transcript

of what Palmer said?

Re: lefty-righty – small sample size warning, but v. RHP Ronny has hit .321/.397/.446; v. LHP .222/.288/.278.

by DGU on Jun 25, 2008 9:00 AM CDT up 0 recs

I heard it and it is true...

...that Cedeno has a reverse platoon split.
Career vs RHP- .264/.305/.383
LHP- .226/.253/.290
2008 vs RHP- .321/.397/.446
LHP- .222/.288/.278

"Baseball is like church- many attend, few understand." ~ Leo Durocher

by The Lip on Jun 25, 2008 11:35 AM CDT up 0 recs

FWIW: I voted for "pressing" too.

As noted above, I was very, very disappointed with Ronnie’s at-bat last night, but he’s currently laboring under the “Felix Pie Dilemma”—sporadic opportunities and small sample sizes make it very difficult to determine just how good or bad he truly is.

Nanika Ga Okoru!

by dat cubfan daver on Jun 25, 2008 9:56 AM CDT up 0 recs

I don't think he got the joke...

and is just trying to do whatever it takes for us to get his name right. Cedeño!!!

Go ahead, Z me.

by tony412 on Jun 25, 2008 8:16 AM CDT 0 recs

IMO

We get Cedeno a start this series, and we put him in the #2 hole. Let him see some fastballs.

I realize Patterson is killing the ball right now, but Cedeno is a young emotional player. He just needs a pickup.

The overall problem here is: he’s just not good as a pinch hitter. He doesn’t have the mental makeup to come into a game cold. I’m not sure if we stick him in the alley fielding grounders until we need him to pinch hit or what, but someone needs to affix him to Daryle’s sizeable hip until he learns how to keep himself focused.

"This is the kind of thing … that makes you want to see the Chicago Cubs team lose." Marty Brennaman

by Bildo1805 on Jun 25, 2008 8:19 AM CDT 0 recs

I agree...I am amazed at the discontent around here for a guy

...who NEVER gets to play.

I didnt expect anything from Cedeno last night because he isnt a pinch hitter and never plays.

Lou was reaped what has sowed last night. Some spot starts over the last month might have made that AB last night a different story.

by JB 23 on Jun 25, 2008 9:05 AM CDT up 0 recs

I think you are right about that.

I am thinking more and more that the “play the hot bat” strategy may work with some players, but with others it encourages pressing and often leads to the cold bats staying cold.

by DGU on Jun 25, 2008 9:19 AM CDT up 0 recs

Don't pull Patterson right now.

He’s obviously doing something right and needs to keep playing. Just tell him to listen to Theriot when he yells, “I GOT IT!”

I'm thinking you weren't burdened with an overabundance of schooling, so why don't we just ignore each other til we go away.

by neverAcquiesce on Jun 25, 2008 11:50 AM CDT up 0 recs

ugh...must remember to preview..

Lou ~~was~~ reaped

by JB 23 on Jun 25, 2008 9:07 AM CDT 0 recs

Maybe he was trying to show up the Orioles a little

...since he could be their starting SS right now.

Who knows. He was obviously trying to life a fly ball, chasing bad pitches up in the zone to do it. It was a bad at bat, as were the next two.

But a good pitcher can make anyone look bad, and Sherrill has been dominant this year.

by Wreckard on Jun 25, 2008 9:47 AM CDT 0 recs

You're right that we can't discount Sherrill being the O's second coming of B.J. Ryan

which is why for me it’s not so much that last night’s AB was agonizing as that it has seemed to me that several of Ronny’s past few ABs have been hacktastic. The bigger issue for me is – how has the Cubs managment allowed a player to go from a very good approach at the plate back to the bad approach. Maybe it’s just Ronny – and if he snaps back to the new approach again – management should be praised again. But in the meantime, I’m leaning towards thinking that the way playing time is doled out (and more importantly NOT doled out) is a negative factor here. Not that Ronny doesn’t bear most of the blame…

by DGU on Jun 25, 2008 10:02 AM CDT up 0 recs