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Greg Halman Is Major League Ready

So far in the WBC, Halman has seen 40 pitches over 11 at bats against the likes of Edinson Volquez, Pedro Martinez, Carlos Marmol, Ian Snell, Damaso Marte, Carlos Silva, Fernando Cabrera, and Giancarlo Alvarado. The results of those 40 pitches:

32 strikes
8 balls
22 swings
16 swinging strikes
9 called strikes
1 foul bunt

16 misses on 22 swings is a contact rate of 27%. The Major League average is 81%, and the worst mark of any non-pitcher last year to collect at least 50 at bats was Reggie Abercrombie, at 60%.

Clearly there are sample size issues here out the wazoo, but this is just a numerical way of illustrating what should be blatantly obvious to anyone who's been watching the Netherlands so far: Greg Halman is in way over his head against high-level competition. Hell, just today he struck out swinging twice against Silva on seven total pitches. Pitchers haven't been particularly kind to him, and he's seemed perfectly content to get himself out.

Is this a giant red flag? Not really - we've always known that Halman has discipline and contact issues, and we wouldn't expect him to excel in this kind of competition. Rather, I'm just pointing it out as a reminder that, while Halman has all kinds of talent and physical gifts, he's got enormous bust potential, and there remain miles and miles of development ahead of him if he wants to make it as a regular in the big leagues.

Greg Halman is an awesome talent, but he's a long ways away. And while it's fun to watch prospects get better (and Halman has gotten a lot better), the impatient among you may want to start getting excited about Michael Saunders instead. Unless something goes tragically wrong, he's likely to show up and stick long before Halman ever does.

0 recs  |  Comment 38 comments |

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Comments

Display:

Is Saunders the first to get called up in case of injury?

Say the M’s go with Wlad, F Gut, Endy, Ichiro, and Griffey from spring training. Or would they go with someone in a AAAA mold? Like Wilson, Redman, etc.

by Scrupio on Mar 14, 2009 4:07 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

My guess would be

Short injury – AAAA guy/ random dude (not necessarily an OFer) with Wlad taking the at bats
Long term injury if Wlad doing well- AAAA guy/random dude (not necessarily an OFer)
Long term injury if Wlad not doing well- Saunders

Determined, Jonesing Commentor | Proud proprietor of Wyomingroutes.org & Washingtonhighways.org

by I'm NOT Corco on Mar 14, 2009 4:13 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

So why did you title this

“Greg Halman Is Major-League Ready”? I just about swallowed my tongue when I read that.

by The Ancient Mariner on Mar 14, 2009 4:10 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

To fool the Yahooligans

Determined, Jonesing Commentor | Proud proprietor of Wyomingroutes.org & Washingtonhighways.org

by I'm NOT Corco on Mar 14, 2009 4:14 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Because he can

Why would I watch Transformers when I can play with them at my house?

by Taylor H on Mar 14, 2009 4:17 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

last time I trust this site...

Nice Guys Finish Third - Hopelessly lost, but makin' good time.

by pdb on Mar 15, 2009 8:51 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I'm still trying to figure out the Mariners winning the World Series.

I have looked all over the place for highlights and nobody seems to know what I am talking about.

by Wilder. on Mar 15, 2009 9:31 AM PDT up reply actions   1 recs

I'm not liking this wheel of outfielding prospects

Last year, the feeling was “If we lose Adam Jones, at least we have power-hitting Wlad!”

Then “Well Wlad sucks, but know Halman is gonna be awesome!”.

Now “Halman ain’t gonna make it, but there’s Saunders!”

Last years plan D has become our best hope. Oh great.

by Ezzra on Mar 14, 2009 4:20 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Uh

For sane people, Halman was never plan C

by Graham on Mar 14, 2009 4:27 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Fair enough, that's true.

But his potential was one of reasons I felt ok with Wlad sucking last year. Maybe that was stupid of me (or insane), but it just seems we have this carousel of outfielding prospects giving us hope.

by Ezzra on Mar 14, 2009 4:35 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Perhaps I'm impatient then
And while it’s fun to watch prospects get better (and Halman has gotten a lot better), the impatient among you may want to start getting excited about Michael Saunders instead. Unless something goes tragically wrong, he’s likely to show up and stick long before Halman ever does.

by Ezzra on Mar 14, 2009 4:36 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

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