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Post by Lark11 on Oct 15, 2014 11:17:02 GMT -5
marksheldon.mlblogs.com/2014/10/07/winter-ball-for-lutz/Winter ball for LutzWhen Reds OF/1B Donald Lutz was near the final day of the regular season, he was preparing himself for a quick trip home to Germany to see family and friends. After about a week, he planned to head straight from there to Mexico to play winter ball again for Obregon until around Christmas. “ I need at-bats,” Lutz said. Indeed he does. This will be a pivotal off-season for Lutz, who will be out of Minor League options when he arrives at Spring Training 2015. One of the mysteries of the 2014 season, especially near the end, was why more at-bats didn’t come Lutz’s way to get a better idea of what he could do. While he’s been prone to strikeouts, he’s demonstrated some nice left-handed power when he gets a hold of one. He’s also shown, in the Minors at least, that he can often hit well when playing more regularly. Over three stints with the Reds in the big leagues this season, Lutz got into only 28 games and had 54 plate appearances. He batted .176/.222/.255 with 19 strikeouts. He got only five starts at first base and five in the outfield. In 23 games at Double-A Pensacola, Lutz batted .360/.412/.685 with six home runs and 16 RBIs. In 52 games at Triple-A Louisville, Lutz batted .236/.307/.395 with six homers and 33 RBIs. His best month there was in July when he batted .303 (10-for-33). Last winter, Lutz played for Obregon to get at-bats to make up for lost time after he suffered a broken finger at Pensacola following his first big league stint with the Reds. Lutz will be 26 in February, which is generally old for a prospect. But he’s only really been playing baseball since he was 16. It will be interesting to see if the Reds think he has a future with them or not next spring.
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Post by professor dickweed on Oct 15, 2014 13:04:53 GMT -5
This is certainly a textbook case of how not to handle a guy from a development standpoint. He possibly would have never developed into a big league performer but sitting on the bench for large sections of two seasons instead of regular minor league ab's was a real mistake.
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Post by Lark11 on Oct 15, 2014 15:37:32 GMT -5
This is certainly a textbook case of how not to handle a guy from a development standpoint. He possibly would have never developed into a big league performer but sitting on the bench for large sections of two seasons instead of regular minor league ab's was a real mistake. Agreed. It's baffling. That's why I, and others, were clamoring for Lutz to get ABs this year. Not only does he need to see as many pitches as possible, but we also need to get a look at, and feel for, what he can do. If he wasn't going to play at the MLB level, then he should have been logging ABs at triple-A. |
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Post by Yossarian on Oct 15, 2014 18:48:20 GMT -5
This is certainly a textbook case of how not to handle a guy from a development standpoint. He possibly would have never developed into a big league performer but sitting on the bench for large sections of two seasons instead of regular minor league ab's was a real mistake. The Reds mishandling a young, developing player? Get outta here! |
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Post by kinsm on Oct 15, 2014 18:55:59 GMT -5
Hopefully it's an audition for his next minor league club - he has no business wasting a 40 man spot all winter.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 16, 2014 5:33:02 GMT -5
If I were Lutz I think I would welcome the Reds cutting me loose. Another organization or even playing in Japan would be better for him.
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Post by kinsm on Oct 16, 2014 8:00:38 GMT -5
If I were Lutz I think I would welcome the Reds cutting me loose. Another organization or even playing in Japan would be better for him. Why would that be better for him? He can make a half million dollars playing on the reds 25 man next year as opposed to playing on a minor league contract for some other team making 25K. |
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Post by professor dickweed on Oct 16, 2014 8:28:56 GMT -5
Make up your mind dude. In one thread you are saying the Reds should DFA Lutz in a couple weeks, in this one you are implying that he will make the 25 man roster.
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Post by kinsm on Oct 16, 2014 8:30:42 GMT -5
Make up your mind dude. In one thread you are saying the Reds should DFA Lutz in a couple weeks, in this one you are implying that he will make the 25 man roster. I didn't imply Fecal Matter Professor Dumbass. Look up the definition for "can". |
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Post by professor dickweed on Oct 16, 2014 11:17:19 GMT -5
testy little prick aren't you.
what a freaking tool
lol
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