Soriano's Early Returns - More Patient in 2009

I feel like strike zone stuff is the topic du jour ... here's some more from a reader request.

7 months ago Harry Pavlidis 8 comments 1 recs |

Comments

More Patient Soriano

That’s a really good thing. I hope his OBP is above .350 this season. Two of my biggest criticisms of Sori in the leadoff spot have been his not taking enough walks and his chasing pitches.

"The big possums walk late." - Harry Caray

by memphiscub on Apr 17, 2009 12:24 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Thanks Harry.

I really appreciate the work you do with Pitchf/x and it seems that everywhere I go lately you have an article posted. Well deserved recognition!

I hope this is an indication of improved discipline- Soriano would be an epic slugger if he could lay off the crap and force pitchers to throw strikes. We’ll see as the season unfolds.

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

by The Lip on Apr 17, 2009 1:15 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Until today

If you had to choose just one characteristic that would get you through life, choose a sense of humor.

by Clutche on Apr 17, 2009 2:54 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

-1000

Ya, until today.

"Why do you always point to the sky when Zambrano starts?" My girlfriend.

"You just wouldn't get it...it's a Cubs thing..." Me.

by cubs2k8isnxtyear on Apr 17, 2009 4:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

He came through when it counted.

I’ll live with the strikeouts if he keeps doing that.

"May the sun never set on American baseball." ~Harry Truman

by Goodie1969 on Apr 17, 2009 7:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Another game-changing jack today!

Notice how BLou has been strangely silent about Soriano this season. His argument of Alfo being an overpaid, guess-hitting hack stats whore looks more foolish everyday.

To the subject of the post, it appears Soriano has developed more discipline, and there have been reports that he spent more time than usual in the offseason working out down in the Cubs Dominican facility. Good for him…I’m sure he’ll find a slump somewhere in the season, but he’s really carrying the team right now.

Free Ronny Cedeno

by Kansas25 on Apr 17, 2009 3:52 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Let's hope that

(a) he is more patient and it isn’t a mirage; and
(b) it lasts

by Harry Pavlidis on Apr 17, 2009 5:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I really like the way Soriano is approaching his at-bats this year.

Not only has he been drawing walks, but the patience is forcing pitchers to actually throw him strikes — and you have seen the results deposited into the seats five times in ten games already.

Yes, there will be a lot of K’s. But it appears there will be a lot of walks and HR from him this year, too. So far, so good.

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

by Al on Apr 17, 2009 5:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs