One Two Punch
Ramos and Safavi plan to wear out path to 1B as well as pitchers arms.
The Twin Cities River Monsters have gotten progressively better in each of their last two seasons. The lion share of that workload has fallen upon the pitching staff, which ranked 6-9th in the Frick in just about every category. Meanwhile, the offense ranked 11-15th in most areas. Last seasons #1 draft pick Felix Ramos certainly helps the cause. His .451 OBP lead the entire BBA last season, while he also contributed 19 homers and a 4.6 WAR in just 114 games. But out of the 237 times he reached first base via hit, BB, IBB, or HBP, Ramos only scored 72 times. In order to get better as a team, the River Monsters need to find a way to drive him home more.
So with their order of business on the offensive end, Twin Cities acquired 24 year old DH/1B Sertaç Safavî from El Paso.
Wait, what?
Safavi, like Ramos, lead his respective league in OBP. Even creepier, he also won his leagues Gillstrom award. They are essentially two very similar players. So why would Twin Cities double down on a leadoff hitter when the rest of the league is salivating over bloated homerun totals? Well, why not?
On paper, Ramos and Safavi have the potential to be one of the greatest 1-2 punches the league has ever seen. A .451 and .437 OBP, back to back?That is just ridiculous. And they both have just one year of service time and are in their early 20's? This tandem could be wearing out a path to 1B for the next 10-15 seasons.
The other added bonus to this duo is a less popular stat that Twin Cities has been focusing on as they build this team. That is pitches seen per plate appearance. The River Monsters are looking to make pitchers work next season. Which will get starters out early and will tax bullpens over the course of a 3-4 games set. Eduardo García was brought in for a similar reason. He ranked 7th in Pi/PA last season while Ramos was first. Safavî wasn't super high on the list, but still had a solid 4.2. Basically, if we can average 4 per hitter, then every time through the lineup the pitcher has to throw 36 pitches. Which is perfectly fine if he is going to throw a 108 pitch perfect game. But every hit/walk will add to that total quickly.
In talking up Sertaç Safavî, I must include the counterpoint. Last season he played in one of the most offensive parks in the BBA. Surely his numbers will regress? Well, yes and no. I'm sure a couple of his hits, doubles and homers will disappear. Meanwhile his 82 walks should hold up in any park. And his home/road splits were pretty close. His .354/.448/.613 home line was certainly park aided a bit. But his .340/.426/.539 line gives it pretty good legitimacy.
Now as for who will drive these two table setters home... stay tuned.
2052.1 One Two Punch
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Re: 2052.1 One Two Punch
Telling my staff to give them each just one pitch. Enjoy your base. #wearit
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Re: 2052.1 One Two Punch
Geez, I’d prefer the term “offense-friendly” to saying my park is “one of the most offensive in the BBA”. I mean, isn’t that a matter of personal taste?
( “In baseball you don’t know nothin’...” Yogi Berra)
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Re: 2052.1 One Two Punch
I mean, it is in El Paso...
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