How the Outfield should be configured

by John916 on Aug 10, 2011 2:43 PM CDT

In an attempt to continue to drum up more playing time for Tony Campana, I took a look at the RHP/LHP splits for the outfielders this year. In previous postings, I've mentioned how against RHP, Campana has had an OBP around .350 and its his LHP splits that have driven down his season numbers. To expand upon that a bit, and bring in the rest of the OF'ers:

I'm going to go with the assertion first that Colvin should be playing as many games as possible. I think many people here have stated that with good cause as we should see whether he can rebound closer to his 2010 numbers. So put him down for one of the spots against RHP AND LHP.

Campana has a .341/.383/.724 line against RHP - his line against LHP is horrible, so start him against all RHP.

Soriano's line against RHP this year is .265/.428/.693 - that's right LESS than Campana's. However, Fonzie's line against LHP is a very solid .341/.563/.904. He would starts against lefties.

Byrd's splits are better against RHP than LHP, .372/.449/.821 vs .275/.431/.706 - he should be starting against RHP and sitting against LHP.

Johnson's splits are almost identical (and excellent) - .358/.542/.900 vs RHP, .379/.516/.895 against LHP.

Against RHP, should-be non-outfielder Blake DeWitt has a .276/.399/.675 slash against RHP, but decent against LHP .370/.423/.793 - though he should never see the outfield grass again in my opinion.

So against RHP - the outfield should be: LF - Campana, CF - Byrd, RF - Colvin

Against LHP - LF - Soriano, CF - Johnson, RF - Colvin

Campana's GAME-CHANGING speed, and good numbers against RHP really demand that he start against all RHP the remainder of the year.

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

At first glance

… I thought this title said

How the Outfit should be configured

Which would have an entirely different meaning.

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by Al Yellon on Aug 10, 2011 3:03 PM CDT reply actions

I wouldn't talk about the

Outfit.

Safer to talk about the outfield. Or even the band Outfield.

by Tat14 on Aug 10, 2011 3:09 PM CDT reply actions

In any case, yes, playing splits like the OP noted would be useful.

Don’t expect anything that sensible to happen.

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by Al Yellon on Aug 10, 2011 3:20 PM CDT up reply actions

This is an interesting idea

but according to your stats and the Colvin rule, RJ should be the everyday CF and Byrd should be in LF against RHP, not Compana.

And as Al said, nothing sensible like that will happen.

The sun is up. They sky is blue. It's beautiful, and so are you. Dear Prudence, won't you come out to play? ~Lennon & McCartney

by SouthWabashSoul on Aug 10, 2011 3:39 PM CDT reply actions

Yeah, sorry

I forgot to add the additional rule that Campana should be given a shot to see if he can stick as a platoon against RHP. With his age and speed, I give him the advantage over Johnson.

by John916 on Aug 10, 2011 3:57 PM CDT up reply actions

I stopped reading after...

In an attempt to continue to drum up more playing time for Tony Campana

by kanderber on Aug 10, 2011 4:08 PM CDT reply actions 5 recs

Same here.

by Dcr18 on Aug 10, 2011 4:21 PM CDT up reply actions

Your Loss...

…because he made a good case.

by Hoostino on Aug 10, 2011 6:18 PM CDT up reply actions

Unless the playing time...

that he was referring to was pinch running in the late innings, then there isn’t a case to be made for Tony Campana to get more playing time.

by kanderber on Aug 11, 2011 7:17 AM CDT up reply actions

Good decision

I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.
~Earl Warren

by lookingdeadred on Aug 11, 2011 8:10 AM CDT up reply actions

fine work, but what happens when Jackson is called up?

It tells me that Byrd should be traded.

Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."

by Ivy Walls on Aug 10, 2011 4:30 PM CDT reply actions

Unfortunately

That might not be an issue – see recent Fanshot.

by John916 on Aug 10, 2011 8:40 PM CDT up reply actions

Colvin? You'd swear he was a triple crown threat or somethin'...

…125 ABs and a .123 BA…he’s played enough…next?

Fire Jim Hendry. Injuries aren't the problem.

by Easy Ed on Aug 10, 2011 4:51 PM CDT reply actions

If I had my way it would be

Colvin RF
Jackson CF
Campana LF

vs all RH pitchers the rest of the way.

vs LHP

Johnson
Byrd
Soriano

Colvin and Jackson can play vs LHP if you want.

There is no reason Soriano and Byrd should see that much playing time the rest of the way.

I know quade is trying to save his job, but cant he see the vets are the ones who got him to this place to start with? Well that and horrendous managing…

by TJ11 on Aug 10, 2011 5:01 PM CDT reply actions

aren't you paying attention, Byrd's splits against LH's is not good

275/.431/.706,

trade him

Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."

by Ivy Walls on Aug 10, 2011 5:26 PM CDT up reply actions

I agree with that 100%.....

Trade him today if possible….But he, like the rest of this sorry team, is untouchable…

Hendry had his chance to trade him and failed.

by TJ11 on Aug 10, 2011 5:36 PM CDT up reply actions

Can we clone Jackson?

Can we simply play him in all three outfield spots?

Either way, it doesn’t matter who is playing the corner spots in September as long as BJax is roaming CF. And I agree with Ivy Walls — I sense Byrd is part of a trade, as well. Soriano and Colvin have no trade value, so the only player with some trade value to make room for BJax is Byrd.

by sedgy145 on Aug 10, 2011 5:07 PM CDT reply actions

I think Byrd will be in right, with Jackson in center

I won’t guess what they will do in left, but I really think Colvin will get a chance

by wfree0104 on Aug 10, 2011 7:24 PM CDT up reply actions

Tony Campana is Joey Gathright,

but without the cool “Hey, pay attention, honey, this is the guy that can jump cars” story.

"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks

by dtpollitt on Aug 10, 2011 10:19 PM CDT reply actions

i think his hustle, scrapiness, and shortness counter balances his inability to jump over automobiles

I personally believe that damaged ligaments and tendons (among other abrasions) aren't the reason for the team playing so poorly relative the rest of Major League Baseball, so accordingly, James Hendry should be relieved of his highly important duties as General Manager of the Chicago Cubs franchise.

by jesus christos on Aug 10, 2011 10:42 PM CDT up reply actions