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Ramon Santiago Is The Most Overrated Tiger
I like Ramon Santiago as a player. He is a fine backup middle infielder. Don't get me wrong.
But he is the most overrated player on the team by Tigers fans.
Santiago's average 162 game season in the major leagues is .244 with six home runs and 40 RBI in 504 plate appearances. He is, at best, an average middle infielder defensively.
More telling: In 1,378 at bats in Triple-A, Santiago has hit just .247 with 18 home runs and 125 RBI.
- We'll know a lot more about Dontrelle Willis' future in the Tigers' starting rotation - one way or another - after tonight's start against the Dodgers. Very pivotal outing for Willis.
- Brett Favre is out of control. If Southern Mississippi gets to the College World Series, he will return to the NFL? Why doesn't he just flip a coin? Or draw straws? The guy is goofy. Has to be driving the Vikings nuts.
- Zack Follett is getting a lot of hype lately, but he does have a good chance of becoming a quality NFL starter. He is a much better athlete than a lot of people are giving him credit. Key will be staying healthy. He would have been drafted higher out of Cal were it not for injury issues.
- I'm glad Montreal rallied to beat Philadelphia Thursday. I'd prefer an Original Six final, but most of all, I want to see great playoff hockey. That series could become very exciting now. It was pretty dull the first two games.
My Column in Friday's Oakland Press. Is expecting 6 to 8 wins this season from the Lions unreasonable? http://tinyurl.com/28vytej
But he is the most overrated player on the team by Tigers fans.
Santiago's average 162 game season in the major leagues is .244 with six home runs and 40 RBI in 504 plate appearances. He is, at best, an average middle infielder defensively.
More telling: In 1,378 at bats in Triple-A, Santiago has hit just .247 with 18 home runs and 125 RBI.
- We'll know a lot more about Dontrelle Willis' future in the Tigers' starting rotation - one way or another - after tonight's start against the Dodgers. Very pivotal outing for Willis.
- Brett Favre is out of control. If Southern Mississippi gets to the College World Series, he will return to the NFL? Why doesn't he just flip a coin? Or draw straws? The guy is goofy. Has to be driving the Vikings nuts.
- Zack Follett is getting a lot of hype lately, but he does have a good chance of becoming a quality NFL starter. He is a much better athlete than a lot of people are giving him credit. Key will be staying healthy. He would have been drafted higher out of Cal were it not for injury issues.
- I'm glad Montreal rallied to beat Philadelphia Thursday. I'd prefer an Original Six final, but most of all, I want to see great playoff hockey. That series could become very exciting now. It was pretty dull the first two games.
My Column in Friday's Oakland Press. Is expecting 6 to 8 wins this season from the Lions unreasonable? http://tinyurl.com/28vytej
Labels: Ramon Santiago Brandon Inge Dontrelle Willis Brett Favre Zack Follett
posted by Pat Caputo at
10:12 AM
16 Comments:
Book, after 41 played, the Tigers are tied for first in the AL Central.
All I know about Santiago is that the Tigers seem to play better when hes in there rather than Everrett. Like Inge at 3rd. But that being said, I would be delighted to get a REAL shcrtstop in there.
For all the talent growing in the farm system - where are the infielders? Do the Tigers only know how to grow left fielders and pitchers? Sizemore is an example of my point.
But son-of-a ... gun Book, the boys are tied for first.
This side of the river is on the edge of our seats waiting for Sunday's final game of the Memorial Cup - and the Windsor Spitfires playing for back-to-back Memorial Cup championships. I know Canadian hockey freyed your patience this year, But Taylor Hall and these Spits of ours are fun to watch.
Go Spits!
Hey Pat,
I must admit I don't agree with your point about Santiago. While I can see what you are saying in regards to his avg. and his limited power I do not agree on his fan popularity. He is aggressive and often comes through in key situations which is what I want when he comes off the bench. In the times I have seen him starting consecutively he has done nothing to make me hope for a better solution. While I don't have numbers at hand to back up the feeling, what I do have is a comfort level that I don't have with Everett or Sizemore. Sometimes I feel that a comfort level, like in any job or life situation, is better than certain stats. I must admit a little frustration with him not running out the game winning walk until Maggs apparently scolded him. Never said he was the smartest cat in the game.
On another note couldn't agree more on Favre, though I would like to believe he meant that in jest.
By the way I like Journey and find your feelings to be way off base. Just kidding with you, Sir. Love your work. Don't ever stop giving us your wisdom.
Book, with Everett in the starting lineup, and the hole at 2nd base, you can't really complain about the backup middle infielder position, Santiago or otherwise. If we had a major league shortstop, and solidity at 2nd, maybe it'd be worth discussing, but 'til then...
The Lions stink. 6-8 wins? Please.
Nobody wins with a defense that bad. You probably need to dust off the "fire Gunther Cunningham" columns, because this guy has gotten a free pass, and doesn't merit it.
Enough with the "guru" and "wise old head" nostrums. He forced his system into place, with the Schwartz's full approval, regardless of the personnel available. Rather than playing to win, he played to some intellectual construct of what defense is "supposed" to be. And the results stink.
This isn't a research project, it's football. If this guy comes out losing again, he's gotta go, and Schwartz can go, too. I don't care if he likes heavy metal... let him go bang his head elsewhere.
Agree 100% on Santiago. I don't know how many people I have heard say he should be an every day player. Look at his swing especially from the left side. It is a "uppercut-home run" swing which doesn't work for a guy with no power. The guy has Omar Infante talent which isn't bad in itself but....
As to Fred and the Spits, as a Whalers season ticket holder, I say "Go Whalers!"
That said, there is no denying the Spits are awesome this year. Last year too.
Pat,
I completely agree about Santiago. He's a very useful player, but I think the Tigers are correct in not viewing him as a full-time player. He would probably be Inge without the power numbers. I don't understand why so many people in this town seem to think otherwise. I do think that either Worth or Dlugach will get some kind of an opportunity at the position later in the season; I just don't know when. It's too bad that Iorg has failed to blossom up to this point because the Tigs could use him.
Travis
Pat, we're on the same page on Santiago.
It's funny because I'm getting my grandson to watch the Tigers on TV and I said the exact thing that you did on him.
Grandkid came back and agreed and proceeded to mention Damon and Magglio. He woundn't let me turn to Fox News because he wanted to continue to watch the Tigers.
Said the Tigers are winners....
Moved here from Ohio (Indians) and Florida (Braves), but I'll tell you .. Detroit fans and sportswriters, you really know your baseball. There is no comparison, although briefly lived in Boston and they are close.
You way overrate stats like average and RBIs that only tell you a small part of the story. Try OPS and VORP out occasionally.
Santiago's OPS the past 4 seasons: (.712,.870,.704,.661) Everett is around .600 or lower in all 4 years. And Everett is always way in the negative in VORP when Santiago is in the positive.
Everett is definitely better defensively, but having two dead bats in the lineup (Laird and him) is a rally killer. And sometimes Inge makes it 3 ...
Fred Brill,
I think the Spits would be a great story and would love to see them win the Memorial Cup, which is one of the great trophies in all sports. Do think Hall will go No. 1 overall. Terrific player.
Caputo
Detroit24,
Favre might have said it in jest, but it sure go a lot of pub. It's just people are tired of him toying with their emotions at this time of the year. Vikings are so in flux. Can't help their situation.
Caputo
Anonymnous,
My point is that a lot of fans don't feel it should be a platoon, but that Santiago should play every day. I don't think that would work well. It's better with the platoon.
Caputo
Core Contrarian,
Agreed about the Whalers, but Fred has a pretty good argument about which team is better. Spits routed Whalers in playoffs.
Caputo
Core Contrarian,
Agreed about the Whalers, but Fred has a pretty good argument about which team is better. Spits routed Whalers in playoffs.
Caputo
Michael C,
What is a VORP? Sounds like a new cell phone or character from Avatar or something.
Caputo
Travis,
I see those other two as 4-A players, but I felt the same about Boesch, and he has been better than that so far.
Caputo
Haha. VORP is Value Over Replacement Player. It compares a player's stats to easily acquirable players at their position. Here's the Tiger's VORP this year: http://www.baseballprospectus.com/team_audit.php?team=det
Book I understand your points on Santiago.. However, him or Everett? Not a whole lot to choose from at the moment. However, I disagree about him being the most overrated Tiger. I think the distinct privilege of that title goes to none other then Brandon Can't Hit the broad side of the barn INGE. Don't get me wrong this guy is a good guy , great with the community etc... However, the love affair with this guy has to stop. He is ok with the glove. He has a lot of brain farts as well. Offensively this guy is as bad as it gets. Last years first half was exactly that.. a Fluke! You can only blame the knees for so long. Bad knees don't make you swing at balls 10 feet in front of home plate in the dirt. They don't make you swing at pitches about your helmet.
To me this guys is good for a team that is so loaded offensively they can afford one turd at the bottom as long as he can show moments with the leather. Inge reminds me of like the Drapers, Maltbys maybe even the McCarty's.. You love those guys you root for them.. but lets face it this is a business. Inge to me is not worth crap and if we had to cut bait so what see you later.
I am sorry Book, but I am sick of seeing the love affair and I think it needs to stop. Inge SUCKS!.. Whippie every now and then he gets a base hit.. I can live with a low batting AVG. is OBP and Slugging percentage or dreadful.. The second half Inge is the iNge we should expect..
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