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Is Zack Follett The Lions' Version Of Brandon Inge?
Zack Follett was available so late in last year’s draft because of concern about injuries. He was a highly productive college player, not just some grunt. It is possible he could play in Ernie Sims’ spot at linebacker.
Injury concerns held him back (he missed time at Cal because of foot and neck injuries) at draft time, but Follett did display surprising closing speed and excellent tackling ability on special teams last season as a rookie.
The danger is this guy becoming the Lions’ version of Brandon Inge. He has an engaging personality, so much so that fans might start liking the kid so much, they overlook any shortcomings he has as a player.
Random Thoughts
- The idea the Tigers can’t score runs yet are pitching really well isn’t true. They are eighth in the American League in runs scored, but 10th in team ERA. Their lack of power is an issue, though. They are just one of four teams in the American League still in single digits in home runs with eight.
The Tigers have been putting runners in scoring position, just not getting big hits lately. When they got one - Miguel Cabrera’s home run Sunday for example - they won the game. This is where they might miss Curtis Granderson and his 30 home runs.
- Ivan Rodriguez might play forever. He leads the National League in hitting. Kind of sad seeing him bounce around to all these different teams, however. Just something about Pudge playing for the Nationals isn’t right. Now that team was the perfect fit for Dmitri Young...
- You know who is going to play well for the Red Wings tonight - guaranteed? Nicklas Lidstrom. So he had a bad game Sunday. He is still a truly great player. He’ll prove it again tonight.
Note: I will be doing a live chat today at 11:30 a.m. at http://theoaklandpress.com/
Injury concerns held him back (he missed time at Cal because of foot and neck injuries) at draft time, but Follett did display surprising closing speed and excellent tackling ability on special teams last season as a rookie.
The danger is this guy becoming the Lions’ version of Brandon Inge. He has an engaging personality, so much so that fans might start liking the kid so much, they overlook any shortcomings he has as a player.
Random Thoughts
- The idea the Tigers can’t score runs yet are pitching really well isn’t true. They are eighth in the American League in runs scored, but 10th in team ERA. Their lack of power is an issue, though. They are just one of four teams in the American League still in single digits in home runs with eight.
The Tigers have been putting runners in scoring position, just not getting big hits lately. When they got one - Miguel Cabrera’s home run Sunday for example - they won the game. This is where they might miss Curtis Granderson and his 30 home runs.
- Ivan Rodriguez might play forever. He leads the National League in hitting. Kind of sad seeing him bounce around to all these different teams, however. Just something about Pudge playing for the Nationals isn’t right. Now that team was the perfect fit for Dmitri Young...
- You know who is going to play well for the Red Wings tonight - guaranteed? Nicklas Lidstrom. So he had a bad game Sunday. He is still a truly great player. He’ll prove it again tonight.
Note: I will be doing a live chat today at 11:30 a.m. at http://theoaklandpress.com/
Labels: Zack Follett Miguel Cabrera Ivan Rodriguez Nicklas Lidstrom Brandon Inge
posted by Pat Caputo at
8:50 AM
7 Comments:
One big difference between Follett and Inge is that Schwartz and Mayhew won't bow to fan pressure like Dombrowski to keep him around. He has already proved he is a good special teams player.
Pat, their hitting is about where you expect them to be in top 9 but I think their starting pitching will improve and must improve if they are going to be near the top of the division.
"The Tigers have been putting runners in scoring position, just not getting big hits lately. This is where they might miss Curtis Granderson and his 30 home runs."
... Do you remember last year, Pat? Granderson hit .242 with RISP, and .187 with RISP w 2 outs. In fact his career average with RISP is only .261, which is 12 points lower than his average typically is.
Meanwhile Cabrera hit .296 with RISP and has hit .320 with RISP in his career (8 points higher than his average), and you spent all of last year blaming the Tigers offensive problems on Cabrera not being clutch.
It seems like you decide who you think is playing well based on how nice they are to the reporters after the game.
Chris,
I don't think Dave Dombrowski has done that. Inge has proven his worth, it's just sometimes he is overrated by a large group of fans who really like his personality.
Caputo
Barry,
Agree about the starting. Has to be a great strength. Hasn't been so far.
Caputo
Anonymous,
Cabrera already has more important hits this season than he had all last season. I watch the game, you look at stats. It's a common mistake of people who don't fully understand baseball.
Caputo
I actually watched the games last year. Apparently you closed your eyes when Granderson was up because he was HORRIBLE in the clutch. He was a guaranteed out whenever we needed him to bat runners in.
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