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.
