Sticking Points 2034.10: Dusty Rhodes As Good As Advertised

[aaronweiner]

When the Rockville Pikemen traded for Dusty Rhodes, they didn't expect him to hit .400 for the season...but they didn't NOT expect that. Rhodes has long been one of the best contact hitters in the history of the league, and with a lifetime .324 batting average and a ballpark that plays directly into his strengths, the first baseman was expected to hit for a very high batting average. Still...

"A .400 average would be something else, wouldn't it?" laughed Rhodes in the locker room after his fourth consecutive multi-hit game. "That would be pretty special."

Rhodes currently has a .391 average on the year, and, as his trademark is, has struck out just five times in 169 at bats. (His career low is 19 strikeouts in 656 at bats in 2031.) He has clearly rebounded from the malaise that hit his bat last year when he hit "just" .289 for Madison, his only professional season hitting below .300 in his career.

"Last year was a tough year because I'm used to a certain level of production and wasn't living up to it," said Rhodes. "It's been a whole new ballgame this year."

When he was acquired, there was some surprise at the move, since the Pikemen had called up top prospect Manuel Marino late last season and looked as if they weren't in the market.
However, the two-time batting champion was a perfect fit on the Pikemen, and he leads the Johnson in batting average and hits while currently placing fourth in OBP.

"Dusty's been one of my favorite players for a long time, and I knew he'd be just the right player for us," said Rockville GM Aaron Weiner. "We're thrilled to have him here."

[7teen]

Wishing him the best of luck. But despite all that, he has just a .5 WAR. Go figure.

[Ted]

He's hitting for very little power. A .378 avg with a .439 slugging is pretty damn weak. Still, a high average can be really useful when guys are getting on base ahead of him. THis is where WAR fails a bit. Sequencing of hits can beat it out. Also, his defense at first is hurting him. Over a full season it will be worth -1 to -1.5 WAR.

[udlb58]

He's hitting for very little power. A .378 avg with a .439 slugging is pretty damn weak. Still, a high average can be really useful when guys are getting on base ahead of him. THis is where WAR fails a bit. Sequencing of hits can beat it out. Also, his defense at first is hurting him. Over a full season it will be worth -1 to -1.5 WAR.

Yeah, just 8 extra base hits so far with a .061 ISO. Still, 23 RBI and 31 R is nice production.

[aaronweiner]

Anyone hitting .400 is having a good year. He's not a huge powerhitter or walks guy anyway and my park depresses power numbers so this is most of what I'm going to get out of him.

Of course, that's exactly why I traded for him - was hoping for .350 but will certainly take .400 if that's what he wants to give.