Glaus: Batting Cleanup?
Welcome to the new-look blog zone on STLtoday.com.
I told serial blogger Derrick Goold that he’s already making me and others look bad with his highly ambitious designs at Bird Land .. so many fancy links and assorted bells and whistles over there at Goold Land. It’s damned impressive.
(For the love of Luis Aparicio … what’s a “tag,” anyway? I thought that’s what a Cardinals 2B or SS does when Yadier Molina throws the ball to nail a base-stealer).
Before I can figure any of that stuff out (if I try), I’m just going to write, OK?
Here’s a quick opinion on new Cardinal Troy Glaus and his place in the 2008 lineup.
We’re all assuming he’s going to bat cleanup, behind No. 3 hitter Albert Pujols. Makes sense on the surface, because Glaus has an acclaimed power stroke, and presence, and he’s a dangerous hitter. He also doesn’t shy away from important situations.
One problem: Glaus hasn’t been a particularly good No. 4 hitter in his career.
In 1,435 at-bats as a No. 4 hitter, Glaus is batting .238, with a mediocre onbase percentage of .344, and a solid but unimposing slugging percentage of .471.
Granted, those numbers would represent a substantial upgrade over what the Cardinals got from their No. 4 hitters in 2007. They were anemic, with a .246 BA, .320 OBP and .386 SLG.
And Scott Rolen was feeble as a No. 4 hitter last season. It’s a small sample size (91 at-bats), but he hit .191 with a .276 OBP and a .309 SLG. (When healthy in years past, Rolen’s numbers at cleanup were very good).
Historically, Glaus has performed best as a No. 5 hitter or at No. 6 in the lineup.
In 1,226 ABs at No. 5, he’s .263 / .368 / .514
In 982 ABs at No. 6, he’s .273 / .377 / .539
You know how manager Tony La Russa likes “danger” in the No. 2 slot? Uh-oh … in 136 ABs as a second-place hitter, Glaus has batted .301 with a .404 OBP and a .684 SLG.
But don’t tell Tony; we wouldn’t want to give him any ideas.
Glaus may be less than ideal as the new No. 4 hitter, but compared to what the Cardinals had there last season, he’ll deliver a lot more wallop. Makes sense.
As we go, a couple of fun facts on Glaus, from my Team 1380-AM radio partner, Randy Karraker: Glaus’ mother lives in Ashland, Mo. And in the past, when he’s visited her, Glaus has worked out and used the batting cages at Mizzou.
I talked to Cardinals chairman Bill DeWitt on Monday night, and he said that Glaus was excited to be here, and has always wanted to play for the Cardinals.
The St. Louis baseball atmosphere frequently has brought out the best in players who transfer here, and perhaps Glaus will thrive in the setting the way that so many others have before him.
Later …
Glaus is the best option… that’s what I concluded.
nobody’s talking about his alleged steroid use. my concern is that his good years stem from using peds and that his recent problems may be more a result of increased enforcement by mlb than a legitimate injury, which would mean that last years numbers are more indicative of what the club will get from him than the big numbers earlier in his career. is this something we should be concerned about?
I like the trade—I also like the numbers that I get from “Birdland” (does that make me a geek?)…
I certainly don’t have the time or resources to dig out the stats like Goold does……
It’s good that Glaus wants to be a Cardinal. Perhaps the club house will be healthier to the degree baseball will be the focus.
I can see this:
Tony, to Troy: You know, “with the pitcher batting eighth, the 9th place batter is essentially the leadoff guy after the first inning. after your first at-bat you *are* in the 5-hole.”
-RBB
I think the stikeouts that come with Glaus will be a little more bearable now that Edmonds and his once a game K have left. I still like a HEALTHY DUNCAN hitting either in front or behind ALBERT and GLAUS IN THE OTHER 2 OR 4 SPOT.
I would seriously consider this:
Izturis/Ryan
Duncan
Pujols
Ankiel
Glaus
Ludwick
Molina
Kennedy
Pitcher
When Miles or Schumaker start, maybe they could hit leadoff?
The bottom line is and will be at seasons end, nothing new at third-base, just a different name for poor performance. Should have brought up or traded for someone with promise, not “has been”!
Bernie: I don’t want to pick on Troy Glaus or any player, but just as a practical matter, I find it difficult to expect any power hitter to produce at the power levels which they achieved during the high steriod use years. I am not saying Glaus did, but his name has been associated with steriods. There are potentially hundreds of players who’s power stats have been enhanced over the last ten years. Then a drop off occurs, ala Jim Edmonds, Brady Anderson and Troy Glaus and many many others. Shouldn’t it at least be acknowledged that there is a risk that Glaus may never again achieve his power production without PHDs.
Thanks
Bernie, do you know the reason Rolen would not salute the flag during the National Anthem? I know it is not required, but I noticed several times last season that he was the only Cardinal not saluting it. Did he ever give a reason for that?