Adrian Gonzalez of the San Diego Padres is only fourth in the National League balloting for All-Star Game first basemen.
Sad.
If Gonzalez (a) played in a big market and (b) played in a smaller ballpark … you could make an argument that he’s the best player in baseball.
Thanks to Marc Normandin of Baseball Prospectus, here are some interesting statistics on how Gonzalez is held back by playing in huge Petco Park.
Through June, Gonzalez had 24 homers and 48 RBI. If he were playing elsewhere:
He would have 30 home runs and 57 RBI at Coors Field in Colorado. He would have 30 HRs and 58 RBI at the new Yankee Stadium in New York.
Not only that, pitchers have basically stopped pitching to Gonzalez because he is surrounded by such a weak lineup in San Diego.
He has walked nearly 20 percent of the time this season … a rate that keeps increasing monthly.
On top of it all, he is superb defensively at first base.
Gonzalez may not get much attention nationally, but he’d be touted as a superstar if he performed for ESPN’s favorite teams including the Yankees, Boston Red Sox and New York Mets.
Sad.
If Gonzalez (a) played in a big market and (b) played in a smaller ballpark … you could make an argument that he’s the best player in baseball.
Thanks to Marc Normandin of Baseball Prospectus, here are some interesting statistics on how Gonzalez is held back by playing in huge Petco Park.
Through June, Gonzalez had 24 homers and 48 RBI. If he were playing elsewhere:
He would have 30 home runs and 57 RBI at Coors Field in Colorado. He would have 30 HRs and 58 RBI at the new Yankee Stadium in New York.
Not only that, pitchers have basically stopped pitching to Gonzalez because he is surrounded by such a weak lineup in San Diego.
He has walked nearly 20 percent of the time this season … a rate that keeps increasing monthly.
On top of it all, he is superb defensively at first base.
Gonzalez may not get much attention nationally, but he’d be touted as a superstar if he performed for ESPN’s favorite teams including the Yankees, Boston Red Sox and New York Mets.
2 comments:
Adrian would be much better off on another team; but let's hope he doesn't leave San Diego. That would destroy what little is left of the Padres.
Adrian Gonzalez is one of the best players in baseball. Hitting in the cavernous Petco Park he still has 24 homers on the year. Do you think the Texas Rangers who he use to play for would like to have him back? Their first baseman Chris Davis plays well defensively, and hits home runs but his batting average is right at the Mendoza line and no one pitches around him. Also it would be interesting to see how many home runs Adrian would have in the ball park in Arlington ... as it is well know as a hitters ball park.
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