A Case for Delmon Young

I think he has an outside shot at swatting 20 home runs, though I think it will more likely be around 15. He didn’t walk more, but he did see more pitches during his hot streak, which I like.

Here’s one of the biggest reasons why I’m bullish on him… His success should be reproducable. Read this:

http://overthebaggy.blogspot.com/2009/12/evolution-of-delmon-young.html

As much as a really want to believe that Young has turned it around. I just can’t.

He has consistently shown that he improves the last month or couple months of the season. It’s nothing new. Gardy and him have had multiple conversations in regards to how Young feels he is not a 1st half player. Gardy told him he doesn’t believe such a thing and its a mental issue.

The article that diehard posted and Jesse’s article are both good reading that make me pause before throwing in the towel. I’d rather play Punto everyday over Young due to the fact he at least brings a glove to the game.

Young will not hit more then 15 homers this season. He isn’t going to suddenly learn to take a walk. I wouldn’t be suprised to see his average raise. Pitchers are going to throw the ball right down the middle because they’d rather see him put the ball in play then see the top of the order again.

I don’t even want to get started on his defense. I mean if he was our DH, I probably resist posting my thoughts. But Kubel is and for good reason. Jesse shows us a differenct prospective with the player stats of different individuals. But all those guys had a glove. Right now I sort of wish the Twins would sign Rocco to a contract. He would be the defensive OF’er we need and he is a right handed bat off the bench, AND a pinch runner which we might actually need this year. Heck, play him in left and use Young on the bench. The only problem with that is then you don’t have a threat on the bench to PR, he is more of a late inning defensive liability then replacement and your not sure what stick your getting in a PH situation.

He’ll be 24 untill September. 24 is when most guys reach the majors. If the expectations for him weren’t so high, his numbers would look great. The guy has hit .290 in the past 3 years…as a 21,22,23 year old. Guess what…Thats GOOD. If you can look past the lofty expectations, his hitting isn’t bad at all. He had the 4th best average on the team last year (300+PA). Right now, as a young kid, he is holding his own in the Majors. Remember, he is not 27.

I don’t think batting average is irrelevant; obviously a high batting average is a good thing. But on-base percentage is better.

Delmon Young walks less than any player in the league. And his numbers are trending down.

Who cares if he hits .300 if he only gets on base at a .320 clip?

To have that low of an OBP, you have to have some power. His power is not enough to compensate for low OBP.

I think he can change too. But so far he hasn’t, and he hasn’t shown that he is the type of guy who is willing to learn from others.

So call me a pessimist.

The best news regarding Delmon Young we got all year was the hiring of Jim Thome, who could push Kubel to the outfield if Young doesn’t improve.

And frankly it may be the best thing for Delmon’s development, too. If his biggest problem is his attitude, and a refusal to listen to his coaches, then knowing that he HAS to in order to keep his job may be the best thing that ever happened to him.

has Jim Rice and Tom Brunansky as comparable players. BR lists Carl Yaztrzemski and Roberto Clemente as most similar through age 23. If he adds patience or power he can be a monster, since he already hits for average. I’m not predicting greatness for Delmon, but I do think it’s possible.

I think Delmon Young has as much ability to make contact as anyone else on the team – including Mauer. Where he falls down is pitch selection and the speed with which he makes adjustments. Delmon adjusts to poor mechanics or opponent’s strategy, but not quickly. Too bad the season isn’t 300 games long. This organization taught pitch selection to Torii Hunter (eventually) and I think they can teach it to Delmon.

He’ll be helped considerably by being platooned early. That should build confidence. He’ll also be helped by not having as difficult of a time defensively but he’ll still be a bad outfielder. I think we could still see Delmon turn into Joe Carter, Don Baylor or Jermaine Dye. I’d like to see him moved to RF as soon as possible with one of the stud prospects taking over LF or bumping Span over there.

I hope Delmon busts out this year and makes Cuddyer expendable. I think the Mets would take Cuddyer at 1B for example.

I think the Thome addition will help Young. If nothing else, it’s less pressure for him to deal with. Heck, maybe Thome’s appreciation for OBP will rub off (I can dream). As for last season, it’s easy to forget, but Delmon lost his mom in the first half of the season, after several months of illness. It may have nothing to do with anything, but I can’t imagine his greatest concern was his leg kick while he was dealing with an awful lot for a guy, who, really, is still just a kid. I for one am very anxious to see what he does with this year.

that losing those 30 pounds will make him lose his power, whatever he had hidden in there between the rolls, and he’ll get angry that he quit eating quadruple whoppers and he’ll throw his bat at the umpire….again.