Jose Bautista HR Count Thread

[Gregg]

Both Shawn Dunston and Sammy Sosa would swing at low outside pitches...sometime so low they were even in the dirt. Of course they rarely ever hit one of them. They would make up for it with giant tomahawk swings at pitches that were above their heads. Ah good times.

[Hammer]

Jose is on the verge of being a top 25 fantasy pick in 2k12.

[Hornsby]

Dave Cameron discussing whether Bautista might be the best hitter in the AL: http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index...ter-in-the-al/

If he keeps this pace up for a few more weeks even I will have to admit that I've been wrong. Not yet, though.

Let's have him actually hit more than .260 for a whole season before we annoint him the best hitter in the AL, 'K?

[Hornsby]

Fangraphs doesn't bother with wussy kid stats like batting average.

Ohhhhhh, is he the best WAR player ever?

[Hammer]

just traded Bautista and Smoak for Teix in a keeper league (no salaries?.

me likey likey

[Kevin Seitzer]

Let's have him actually hit more than .260 for a whole season before we annoint him the best hitter in the AL, 'K?

Through 22 games he's walked 21 times. If he continues to walk that much, it's going to be hard for him to hit less than .260 again.

[chancellor]

I want whatever Jose is on. That HR tonight was crushed.

[Sour Masher]

I can't think of a late bloomer quite like Bautista. Last year was clearly not a fluke. Has there ever been a bench level talent turn into an elite, top tier hitter after years of mediocrity before? I'm sure there has been, but I can't think of anyone going from so rags to so riches in such a short time before. David Ortiz comes to mind as a late bloomer, but he was good before he was great.

[Teenwolf]

Through 22 games he's walked 21 times. If he continues to walk that much, it's going to be hard for him to hit less than .260 again.

Not 22 games, 19.

Bau-Wow missed 3 games early in the season for the birth of his daughter.

So, for those scoring at home, that's 21 walks and 8 HR in 19 games. AND, only 15 K's.

[revo]

I can't think of a late bloomer quite like Bautista. Last year was clearly not a fluke. Has there ever been a bench level talent turn into an elite, top tier hitter after years of mediocrity before? I'm sure there has been, but I can't think of anyone going from so rags to so riches in such a short time before. David Ortiz comes to mind as a late bloomer, but he was good before he was great.

Especially such a complete non-prospect as well. Bautista was a 20th round pick, but was also such a nobody that he tied Dave Kingman's illustrious record of playing for FOUR teams in one season (2004: BAL, KC, TB, PIT).

I don't care what anyone says --- Teenwolf or anyone -- NOBODY had ANY expectations for Bautista heading into 2010. TW jumped on his bandwagon early, I give him credit there, but anyone would do that when someone's breaking out for their own team. I respect the opinions when a homer calls it before anyone else even has a clue (the old Marques Colston thread is point given), but just jumping on a bandwagon early doesn't really do it for me. Sorry GITH, but Everth Cabrera??

That said, having watched Bautista's every HR this season and many other ABs on MLB Network, he's the real deal, no question. Next year, he's 1st round fantasy talent. No way I'm betting against less than 40 HRs at this stage. Kudos to Bautista on reviving a dead career; Anthopolous for having the faith to sign him to a big contract; and Jays fans who have a stud on their hands.

[Gregg]

just traded Bautista and Smoak for Teix in a keeper league (no salaries?.

me likey likey

I wouldn't have made that deal. I do hope it works out for you.

[Gregg]

Especially such a complete non-prospect as well. Bautista was a 20th round pick, but was also such a nobody that he tied Dave Kingman's illustrious record of playing for FOUR teams in one season (2004: BAL, KC, TB, PIT).

I don't care what anyone says --- Teenwolf or anyone -- NOBODY had ANY expectations for Bautista heading into 2010. TW jumped on his bandwagon early, I give him credit there, but anyone would do that when someone's breaking out for their own team. I respect the opinions when a homer calls it before anyone else even has a clue (the old Marques Colston thread is point given), but just jumping on a bandwagon early doesn't really do it for me. Sorry GITH, but Everth Cabrera??

That said, having watched Bautista's every HR this season and many other ABs on MLB Network, he's the real deal, no question. Next year, he's 1st round fantasy talent. No way I'm betting against less than 40 HRs at this stage. Kudos to Bautista on reviving a dead career; Anthopolous for having the faith to sign him to a big contract; and Jays fans who have a stud on their hands.

I can honestly tell you when I targeted him for my end game play two years ago, I fully expected him to earn a profit on the four dollars I spent on him. Anything over $6 is pure gravy.

[Gregg]

I want whatever Jose is on. That HR tonight was crushed.

I am glad his slump is over.

[Kevin Seitzer]

Especially such a complete non-prospect as well. Bautista was a 20th round pick, but was also such a nobody that he tied Dave Kingman's illustrious record of playing for FOUR teams in one season (2004: BAL, KC, TB, PIT).

I don't care what anyone says --- Teenwolf or anyone -- NOBODY had ANY expectations for Bautista heading into 2010. TW jumped on his bandwagon early, I give him credit there, but anyone would do that when someone's breaking out for their own team. I respect the opinions when a homer calls it before anyone else even has a clue (the old Marques Colston thread is point given), but just jumping on a bandwagon early doesn't really do it for me. Sorry GITH, but Everth Cabrera??

That said, having watched Bautista's every HR this season and many other ABs on MLB Network, he's the real deal, no question. Next year, he's 1st round fantasy talent. No way I'm betting against less than 40 HRs at this stage. Kudos to Bautista on reviving a dead career; Anthopolous for having the faith to sign him to a big contract; and Jays fans who have a stud on their hands.

In fairness to Teenwolf, his power breakout started in September 2009.

[Judge Jude]

"he tied Dave Kingman's illustrious record of playing for FOUR teams in one season (2004: BAL, KC, TB, PIT)."

but only Kingman touched 'em all - all four divisions in the same year, and HRd in every stop iirc