Offensive
When the Wild Things were off to a 2-5 start that included some ugly offensive statistics, manager Darin Everson indicated that the numbers don't tell the story of his team's offense. He said there were signs the offense was coming around, that some balls were being hit hard, just right at fielders.
In other words, sometimes actions speak louder than words or numbers.
For the Wild Things right now, the numbers are screaming for help.
For example:
Washington is last in the Frontier League with an anemic .216 batting average. The Wild Things have scored 41 runs in 14 games, or 60 fewer runs than Florence. The second-lowest runs total is 52 by Evansville, which has a 2-12 record. Washington also is last in the league in total bases (143), on-base percentage (.287) and slugging percentage (.306), and tied for last in walks (38).
In their last 36 innings, the Wild Things have scored two runs and produced 16 hits. Three of those innings were against a backup catcher who was masquerading as a pitcher. In their last 40 innings, the Wild Things have scored three runs and had 20 hits.
Perhaps the most troublesome statistic is the number of walks. There's an old theory that if you're not hitting well, then work deep into the count and get on base via the walk. The Wild Things aren't doing that. Here's a look at some of the walks-to-at-bats ratios of some of the players: 2 walks in 49 at-bats, 2 in 43, 1 in 22, 2 in 37.
A good rule of thumb is you should be drawing at least one walk per every 10 at-bats.
So what is Everson to do about his struggling offense?
Does the manager begin tearing apart the roster only three weeks into the season? Does he ride it out and hope that it's only a collective slump by his hitters while anticipating they'll snap out of of it soon? Does he wait until after Major League Baseball holds its amateur draft this week, then try to pick up some undrafted college hitters?
Does Everson try changing the lineup? Well, he's done that. In 14 games, the Wild Things have used 13 different batting orders. So does Everson pick a lineup and stick with it?
Despite a 5-9 record, the Wild Things are only two games out of second place and three out of first, thanks to being in the East Division rather than the tougher West.
In other words, sometimes actions speak louder than words or numbers.
For the Wild Things right now, the numbers are screaming for help.
For example:
Washington is last in the Frontier League with an anemic .216 batting average. The Wild Things have scored 41 runs in 14 games, or 60 fewer runs than Florence. The second-lowest runs total is 52 by Evansville, which has a 2-12 record. Washington also is last in the league in total bases (143), on-base percentage (.287) and slugging percentage (.306), and tied for last in walks (38).
In their last 36 innings, the Wild Things have scored two runs and produced 16 hits. Three of those innings were against a backup catcher who was masquerading as a pitcher. In their last 40 innings, the Wild Things have scored three runs and had 20 hits.
Perhaps the most troublesome statistic is the number of walks. There's an old theory that if you're not hitting well, then work deep into the count and get on base via the walk. The Wild Things aren't doing that. Here's a look at some of the walks-to-at-bats ratios of some of the players: 2 walks in 49 at-bats, 2 in 43, 1 in 22, 2 in 37.
A good rule of thumb is you should be drawing at least one walk per every 10 at-bats.
So what is Everson to do about his struggling offense?
Does the manager begin tearing apart the roster only three weeks into the season? Does he ride it out and hope that it's only a collective slump by his hitters while anticipating they'll snap out of of it soon? Does he wait until after Major League Baseball holds its amateur draft this week, then try to pick up some undrafted college hitters?
Does Everson try changing the lineup? Well, he's done that. In 14 games, the Wild Things have used 13 different batting orders. So does Everson pick a lineup and stick with it?
Despite a 5-9 record, the Wild Things are only two games out of second place and three out of first, thanks to being in the East Division rather than the tougher West.
posted by Chris Dugan at
10:23 AM
5 Comments:
I hope to God that Chris is not saying we should give this Everson clown even more time to screw things up. Last year he continued to use an obviously too injured player game after game in the hopes he would come around. By the time Everson finally woke up, the season was already lost. He has a big ego and nothing to back it up. We don’t need excuses – we want results.
EVERSON MUST GO NOW. All we are seeing is just a repeat of last season. Make the change NOW before it’s too late, again.
There is no bright side to this situation. If the management doesn't make a change now it will show us all that they really don't care.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Now that's a good one - LOL
Just a few causal observations:
There does not seem to be as much enthusiasm from the fans at CEP as in previous seasons.
Most of the fans I talk to are not optimistic about the Wild Things chances of having a successful year.
A sizable number of partial and full season ticket holders did not renew their tickets for 2011.
I have only spoken to one person that actually likes to new turf, and that person has a reason that is not exactly baseball related. NO, it’s not Tim Solobay – I would not speak to him if my life depended on it.
Virtually everyone I talk to thinks the Darin Everson is not a good manager.
Most fans seem to be ambivalent about the changes made at CEP. Actually, I like most of them.
A lot of people miss the fried pickle and French-fries stand. I heard a rumor that the Wild Things tried to squeeze a few extra bucks out of his profits so he told them to shove it. Now I can’t explain why BUT – I tend to believe that.
I don’t really like the new starting time. I have to leave work, try to get some junk food (I will not pay the prices they ask at CEP) then I usually arrive about the time the second inning is in progress. So, at least for me, I miss part of the game – not good.
The Wild Things STILL have not figured out how to run the concession stands in any sort of an efficient manner. This has been a continuing problem since day one, waaay back when. I hear many people grousing about missing two or more innings just waiting in the long lines. It is way past the time that the Wild Things solve this problem.
The Wild Thing has a new head – with freakin’ DREADLOCKS!! Holy samolie! Can you believe that? What the hell is the world coming to?
The Wild Thing this year is almost worthless. All he does is walk around and have his picture taken with kids and mindless adults. Whatever happened to the Wild Thing workout? How about just maybe a half of a workout? Is that too much to ask?
The Frontier League is becoming more and more artificial year by year, and I don’t mean just its’ playing surfaces.
Just a few ramblings from my warped mind.
Why do the WT need Ron Wilson's advise? They managed to slip to be bottom of their game witout him.
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