Bruntlett The Best Choice To Start At Third
Posted by Tim Malcolm, Wed, July 30, 2008 03:46 PM | Comments: 16
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Yesterday Charlie Manuel started Greg Dobbs at third base in place of the injured Pedro Feliz, and he went 0-for-3. Moreover, he remains a liability defensively at the hot corner.
Quickly checking out some numbers, I found it’s much more beneficial for the Phils to keeps Dobbs a bench player. He likes that role, he thrives in that role, and Eric Bruntlett isn’t a bad option to start.
Bruntlett as starter (142 PA): .242 AVG/.312 OBP/.352 SLG/2 HR/12 RBI
Bruntlett as substitute (33 PA): .222 AVG/.364 OBP/.222 SLG/0 HR/0 RBIDobbs as starter (81 PA): .237 AVG/.284 OBP/.316 SLG/1 HR/7 RBI
Dobbs as substitute (62 PA): .397 AVG/.419 OBP/.586 SLG/2 HR/7 RBI
As it shows, Bruntlett seems to be a better starter than a sub, while Dobbs is much more successful off the bench. Start Dobbs, and you automatically lose a bench bat, whereas if you start Bruntlett, Dobbs remains the weapon he needs to be. For Manuel, it makes sense to plug Bruntlett into the lineup everyday.
Posts: 0 Geoff
Nobody gives a shit about the nfl on this blog.
Posted: 03:50 PM on July 30, 2008
Posts: 0 I know You
You guys think
Posted: 03:56 PM on July 30, 2008
Posts: 0 Jeffrey
Huh?
Anyway, I agree. And it certainly makes more sense than what Charlie did last night, subbing Bruntlett at third so early in the game (bottom of the 7th, I think) with only a two-run lead.
Posted: 03:58 PM on July 30, 2008
Posts: 0 Richie Allen
I like the way you spelled chucnky……..
Anyway I see the numbers on the two players but I still like Dobbs in the lineup for 4 at bats..Put Bruntlett in for defence in late innings
Posted: 04:00 PM on July 30, 2008
Posts: 1650 Tim Malcolm
Seriously, don’t spam the blog. Contribute to the discussions or your comments will be deleted.
Posted: 04:01 PM on July 30, 2008
Posts: 0 Gavin
Tim, you’re exactly right.
Posted: 04:04 PM on July 30, 2008
Posts: 0 NEPA
I agree with Tim here. Dobbs seems to struggle as a starter, offensively and defensively. He’s been the best pinch hitter in the league and the best in Phillies history, I think he needs to stay there. I like how Bruntlett played when filling in for Jimmy earlier in the year and he gets my vote as the starter. When the Phillies are in the late innings of a close game, I love knowing we have a serious weapon in Dobbs that can come in and really produce in a big spot.
Posted: 04:08 PM on July 30, 2008
Posts: 0 bull
plus having dobbs late in the game puts the opposing manager at odds on matchups…
Posted: 04:14 PM on July 30, 2008
Posts: 0 Richie
I disagree, I say just platoon them. The statistics about Dobbs not hitting as well as a starter is a small sample size, plus Bruntlett’s avg is like 7 points higher. I don’t have a problem taking him out late for a defensive replacement, but the thought of having Bruntlett getting four at-bats a game rather than Dobbs just doesn’t seem like a wise choice.
Posted: 04:19 PM on July 30, 2008
Posts: 0 Asphincter
I’d rather have David Bell
Posted: 04:20 PM on July 30, 2008
Posts: 0 Don M
they both hit only .250 vs Lefties…. Dobbs hits over .300 vs Righties…. so start him against the righties, but start Bruntlett against the lefties
Posted: 04:37 PM on July 30, 2008
Posts: 0 rob
I agree with letting Brunlett take the majority of starts, with dobbs going every 4 games. Also When did Kyle Drybek have TJ surgery?
Posted: 04:37 PM on July 30, 2008
Posts: 0 Richie
He had Tommy John last July I think.
Posted: 04:51 PM on July 30, 2008
Posts: 0 Phil
I’m sure this was mentioned, but the Yankees got Pudge for a nobody. Why did we not go after Pudge is beyond me.
Posted: 06:03 PM on July 30, 2008
Posts: 0 Phil
btw I’ve been saying that all along that Dobbs should ONLY pinch hit. He can’t hit when he’s playing. When he’s used as a pinch hitter he gets in the zone.
Posted: 06:06 PM on July 30, 2008
Posts: 0 Bill
Interesting stats. I always prefered Dobbs because of his bat but from these stats it looks like you are right. Bruntlett certainly has the better glove.
http://myteamrivals.typepad.com/phightin_phils_phorum/
Posted: 09:23 PM on July 30, 2008