What Have You Done For Me Lately (OBP thoughts)

by Cubbie-Tim on Apr 25, 2009 3:14 PM CDT

Sports, not just baseball, are built around what a player is doing currently, not last season, or the season before. We can all sit here and look at the stats of a player over the past "x" years to get a general idea of what he can do, but that never guarantees he will produce around the same level.

Cubs last season led the NL in a few offense categories. This season, looks a little different so far.

This post is not judgment of how they wil produce thru the season, this is not ledge jumping, and not an "I GIVE UP" letter to my fellow fans.

How do you score runs? You get on base. It is that simple. If runners are not on base, the hitter(s) behind them cannot drive them in.

On Base Average is what drives all offensive stats. Cannot be CS without being on base. Cannot score a run, or get a RBI is no one is on base. K:BB ratio, well that is in direct connection with OBA. Get where this is going?

Looking at the current Cubs OBP is not horrific, but not pretty at the same time. For God's sake, Koyie Hill is #3 in that category, and as a true shocker Aaron Fkin MIles is dead last (not including pitchers, which ironically Rich Harden .333 would rank nine if I included them, ahead of DLee and Bradley to begin with) behind the offensive impaired Joey Gathright.

Yes I know there will be a few hundred "small sample" posts, but guess what. That is exactly what I mean when I ask what have you done for me lately, this is about recent, small sample, since the Play Offs are just that, a small sample of games in October vs. a large sample of regular season games. Playoffs are often won because a team or select players all got hot at the same time.

So here are the (position) players OBP thru the early season.

Player	OBP
K Fukudome	0.463
R Johnson	0.417
K Hill	0.417
A Soriano	0.397
A Ramirez	0.393
R Theriot	0.391
M Fontenot	0.351
M Hoffpauir	0.348
G Soto	0.300
M Bradley	0.290
D Lee	0.271
J Gathright	0.200
A Miles	0.174

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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Comments

You can get an RBI with no one on base.

And score a run as well. And, as you said, sample sizes are way, way, way too small to even consider.

Free Ronny Cedeno

by Kansas25 on Apr 25, 2009 3:53 PM CDT reply actions

with a HR which is directly connected to OBP still

baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out

by Cubbie-Tim on Apr 25, 2009 4:26 PM CDT up reply actions

For the batter, yes.

I’m sure you understand the concept, I was just being a wee bit particular with your phrasing. No worries.

Free Ronny Cedeno

by Kansas25 on Apr 25, 2009 10:31 PM CDT up reply actions

fine

but the point is we are not getting on base. people look at the BA and disregard the OBP too often. and when Rich Harden would be #9 on the list with a 333 OBP you know there is trouble.

baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out

by Cubbie-Tim on Apr 25, 2009 10:39 PM CDT up reply actions

I think it essentially boils down...

to Lee’s slow start, Geo’s injury/slow start, and Bradley’s issues. Those are three essential parts of our lineup. Flip their numbers and everything is fine.

Free Ronny Cedeno

by Kansas25 on Apr 26, 2009 12:20 AM CDT up reply actions

I just

Can’t bear watching this team right now. They’re terrible. I feel like they’re out of it and it’s only 3-0. This rotation has been below average, especially because of it’s talent, and this offense has been terrible. Don’t let this last the whole year.

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

by wrigleyrocker12 on Apr 25, 2009 4:33 PM CDT reply actions

Cubs are walking more than last year...

And striking out less. The problem has been that we’re not HITTING right now.

by SouthernCub on Apr 25, 2009 5:00 PM CDT reply actions

Are you quoting my mini analysis from earlier today?

The best defense is a good offense.....Lou Pinella...still hasn't managed the Cubs to a post season win. D. Lee still doesn't have a post seasson RBI for Cubs...ditto for Soriano

by kcjones on Apr 25, 2009 7:56 PM CDT up reply actions

A little different???

…how about a LOT different

They are averaging .75 runs per game fewer than last year and the pitching hasn’t been nearly as good

The best defense is a good offense.....Lou Pinella...still hasn't managed the Cubs to a post season win. D. Lee still doesn't have a post seasson RBI for Cubs...ditto for Soriano

by kcjones on Apr 25, 2009 6:15 PM CDT reply actions

are all these stats comparing the cubs stats up till this point last year or the whole year overall. From what i’ve read/remember the cubs were off to an almost identical start that they had last year.

I’m just saying guys/gals that it is probablly a little early to be jumping the gun on calling this year a bad year.

by CubsFanInWisconsin on May 14, 2009 4:25 PM CDT up reply actions

Argh

Hate to see DLee and Gameboard so low on that list but talk about those two has been driven deeply into the ground. Instead I’d like to take a note of where the CATCHERS are on this list.

Does anyone else find it a bit funny that a guy who hasn’t played in almost two weeks (Hill) is sitting pretty in third for OBP while Soto is near the bottom of the list. Geo is def a great player but I wouldn’t mind seeing Lou switch catchers 2/3rds of the way through games if Soto continues to struggle and the Cubs are looking for some comeback runs. Koyie Hill is a gamer, people.

by bdoubleu on Apr 25, 2009 7:27 PM CDT reply actions

Whether or not that's true...

… sitting your backup catcher for 12 straight days cannot help his hitting timing.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al Yellon on Apr 25, 2009 8:32 PM CDT up reply actions

Cannot help anything for Hill

except possibly his smashed toe

baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out

by Cubbie-Tim on Apr 25, 2009 8:46 PM CDT up reply actions

True.

But 12 days without a single at-bat?

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al Yellon on Apr 26, 2009 4:02 AM CDT up reply actions

it is mind boggling

baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out

by Cubbie-Tim on Apr 26, 2009 11:10 AM CDT up reply actions

Personally...

…I think Hendry really messed things up this last off-season. I’m sure nobody likes to hear me rant, but, I am saying the same things I have always said. Losing DeRo and Wood, and gaining Bradly, have been horrible decisions on Hendry’s part. I think the thing the Cubs need most right now is somebody who can “bring it all together.” I think we need that bulldog attitude that those guys had. We need MORE of it in the postseason, and I honestly think that is what this club is missing. Bradley, even for all the good he COULD bring, breeds division. All this injury, umpire, and media garbage should have been expected and planned for. The Cubs don’t need all of that. This team doesn’t need that. I love Hendry, but I think he dropped the ball this offseason. I’ve said it before, and I’ll keep preaching it as gospel until it’s proven otherwise.

I’m not trying to dwell on the past, but I think what we need is what those guys (Wood, DeRo) brought to the team. Whatever trades we make, etc… whether its the return of Edmonds (i hope he can still go), or whatever, we need some bulldogs. I don’t know whose available, but get some. I bet we’ll start seeing a whole new team.

by TheHawkRules on Apr 25, 2009 10:05 PM CDT reply actions

Actually the Cubs OBP isn't bad

They are still 5th in the NL in OBP. The problem is more slugging. They are in the bottom half in slugging average, doubles and HR’s. Between the slumping players and having to play slap hitters Theriot, Johnson and Miles frequently together, there isn’t much power in the lineup.

I see that more an issue than OBP.

by rlpete on Apr 26, 2009 7:09 AM CDT reply actions