Written by Amit Lal
| 07 April 2010
The Diamondbacks split their first two games with Padres, winning 6-3 on Monday behind a strong start from Dan Haren, and losing 6-3 on Tuesday as SP Chris Young of the Padres quieted the D'backs' bats. It's way too early to draw many conclusions about the team, but here are a couple of points to keep an eye on:
Edwin Jackson - One knock on Jackson has been that is primarily a two pitch-pitcher. The last two seasons, Jackson has thrown over 90% Fastballs and Sliders, with only a few curve balls and changeups mixed in.
|
Fastball |
Slider |
Curve |
Changeup |
| Edwin Jackson-2008 |
69.3% |
21.8% |
1.8% |
7.1% |
| Edwin Jackson-2009 |
65.2% |
27.4% |
2.3% |
5.1% |
Although Jackson was not very efficient on Tuesday night, requiring 94 pitches to complete 5 innings, he did throw 10 changeups (10.6%) as well as 3 Curveballs (3.2%). And he had some success with the changeup, getting a few fouls and called strikes. The two big blows allowed by Jackson, the double to Everth Cabrera and the HR to Will Venable, came on a fastball and slider, respectively. If Jackson can effectively throw the changeup or curve a little more frequently, they will really enhance the value of his fastball, which was consistently in the 94 mph range on Tuesday, and as high as 97 mph.
Adam LaRoche - LaRoche has started the season going 0 for 8 in the first two games, and many are questioning why he is batting in the #4 slot. A common argument is that LaRoche is a slow starter, as evidenced by his 1st Half and 2nd Half splits over the last few years.
|
AVG |
OBP |
SLG |
OPS |
| 2008 - 1st Half |
.251 |
.330 |
.434 |
.764 |
| 2009 - 1st Half |
.250 |
.336 |
.447 |
.784 |
| 2008 - 2nd Half |
.304 |
.361 |
.613 |
.975 |
| 2009 - 2nd Half |
.311 |
.377 |
.538 |
.915 |
Although the numbers make it look like LaRoche is a poor first half hitter, a closer look shows that maybe he is more of a streaky hitter. Here is the month-by-month breakdown for LaRoche in 2009.
|
AVG |
OBP |
SLG |
OPS |
| March/April 2009 |
.269 |
.352 |
.564 |
.916 |
| May 2009 |
.200 |
.303 |
.347 |
.650 |
| June 2009 |
.344 |
.423 |
.559 |
.983 |
| July 2009 |
.169 |
.190 |
.312 |
.502 |
| August 2009 |
.365 |
.446 |
.646 |
1.092 |
| Sept/Oct 2009 |
.293 |
.362 |
.483 |
.844 |
Yes, LaRoche was very good in August and September, but he actually hit quite well in April and June too. May was a disaster for him, as was July. But take a look at the 2008 numbers:
|
AVG |
OBP |
SLG |
OPS |
| March/April 2008 |
.174 |
.260 |
.244 |
.505 |
| May 2008 |
.257 |
.328 |
.476 |
.804 |
| June 2008 |
.253 |
.323 |
.386 |
.708 |
| July 2008 |
.390 |
.472 |
.805 |
1.277 |
| August 2008 |
.228 |
.279 |
.404 |
.682 |
| Sept/Oct 2008 |
.321 |
.375 |
.690 |
1.065 |
In 2008, May and July were actually pretty good months, while April and August were his worst. So I think it is an oversimplification to say that LaRoche is only a second half hitter. He's more of a streak hitter, and as 2009 showed, he can have success in the month of April. I think the team should give him a little more time in the #4 slot, since there is value in having a LHB in between Justin Upton and Mark Reynolds.
