Congrat to Tim!

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dejota	Congrat to Tim!	Lead	[-]
Astros Fan Posts: 2494 (01/03/2006 9:23 PM) Astros Fan Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Tags : None As one of his biggest doubters, I'd like to be one of the first to pat him on the back for getting a stick. There's a ton of questions around Wilson but that's still fewer than Burke/Scott/Taveras/Lane so I'll take it. As much as I don't particualarly care for Wilson, I must commend Timmy for potentially adding 20-30 HR's to our line-up without having to deal away prospects. I'm really pleased that we can afford to send Taveras for Contreras if both teams can agree b/c I think he's a servicable 3/4th starter and will probably improve in the NL. AND DID YOU SEE THAT SPLITTER IN THE WS. Blew us away with it, he did, blew us away. It was at least comperable to Clemens that night. "Did we make the playoffs yet?" - Bess Clemens-Booher
Bob Mundon	Re: Congrat to Tim!	#1	[-]
Posts: 2350 (01/03/2006 9:59 PM) Astros Fan Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	*Quote:* AND DID YOU SEE THAT SPLITTER IN THE WS. Blew us away with it, he did, blew us away. It was at least comperable to Clemens that night. its a slow forkball rather than a split like roger throws, and has had a knack for leaving it up in the zone. he has good stuff, thats for sure, but the question is wether or not he is fully there mentally. and why in the world would the white sox want willy taveras with the options they have already?
CWD05	Re: Congrat to Tim!	#2	[-]
Astros Fan Posts: 867 (01/03/2006 10:04 PM) Astros Fan Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Dont know what the Sox reasonings may be, but it would be just like us to ship off a promising young centerfielder to an AL Central team...
barzilla	Re: Congrat to Tim!	#3	[-]
Astros Fan Posts: 4693 (01/03/2006 10:28 PM) Astros Fan Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	CW, Please stop comparing Taveras to Kenny Lofton. . . . . . . . .AVG. . .OBP. . .SLG. . .SO/BB. . .SB/CS Lofton .. . .285. . .362. . .365. . .54/68. . ..66/12 Taveras. . .291. . .325. . .341. ..103/25. . ..34/11 This is what each did in their first full season in the big leagues. I would love it if Taveras could become what Lofton was in his first big league season. Yet, Lofton grew as well. Again, stop comparing the two because Taveras isn't in the same league.
NYAstrosFan	Re: Congrat to Tim!	#4	[-]
Astros Fan Posts: 132 (01/03/2006 10:42 PM) Astros Fan Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	I liken Willy T to Gerald Young Taveras. . .291. . .325. . .341. ..103/25. . ..34/11 Young........257....334.....325....66/66 .......65/27 stolen bases a bit higher for GY....since this was pre-steroid, and speed meant a bit more, and the Stros were playing in the dome.
zzagman	Re: Congrat to Tim!	#5	[-]
Astros Fan Posts: 1455 (01/03/2006 10:51 PM) ALL-STAR Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	This sounds like any deal is better than no deal mentality. I am hoping this signing is not for the sake of making a deal in the off season. Full Speed Ahead! Fire At Will!
sturt	...	#6	[-]
Astros Fan Posts: 1617 (01/03/2006 11:18 PM) Astros Fan Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	On Opening Day 1992, Lofton's first full season, he was 24 years and 10 months old. On Opening Day 2005, Taveras' first full season, he was 23 and 4 months old. Yes, stop comparing Taveras to Lofton indeed... Lofton got the benefit of playing in Tuscon, and even then, had an inauspicious beginning... and Taveras debuted 1 1/2 years before Lofton did. He may not improve, but for goodness sake, the only history we have -- his minor league career -- suggests that he might. Btw, the big knock on Gerald Young, and for that matter, Brain Hunter? Neither ever got the knack for bunting... fwiw.
AstroinOC	Re: ...	#7	[-]
Astros Fan Posts: 1287 (01/03/2006 11:26 PM) Astros Fan Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Willy went from AA to the majors. Did any of the others mentioned do the same? As for Contreras I'm not impressed. Neither was Willy when he lined those two gappers off of him. Willy stays. Unless it's for Zito.
CWD05	Re: ...	#8	[-]
Astros Fan Posts: 867 (01/03/2006 11:59 PM) Astros Fan Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Barzilla- why should I stop making the comparison? Each is a speedster, who can cover great ground, steal bases, and cause problems at the top of the lineup. Sturt makes a great point- Lofton had the benefit of AAA, so Taveras' numbers are even more impressive. My point in the comparison is this- the Astros gave up on a young, protypical centerfielder before giving him a chance. If the Stros were to deal Taveras after seeing what he may be capable of, it could be an equally poor decision.
barzilla	Re: ...	#9	[-]
Astros Fan Posts: 4693 (01/04/2006 12:12 AM) Astros Fan Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	I'm not saying that Willy T can't improve or that he didn't make a difficult jump. What I'm saying is that Lofton was/is a vastly superior player. We're talking about a player that had an 800 OPS in six out of seven seasons after that rookie season and stole 50 or more bases in five of those seasons. In six minor league seasons did it exactly once (1999 in rookie ball). Even if we suggest that Willy T will become what he was in the minors (certainly possible) we're still talking about a guy that had a .753 OPS in all of his minor league numbers combined (including the insane 1999 season where he posted a 933 OPS). Lofton has a .797 career OPS and more than 500 stolen bases. I think the bunting point is a very good one as long as Taveras develops something in addition to that. If he can learn to pull down the line or hit some in the gaps he could become a very dynamic offensive player. Right now he isn't one. Am I being harsh? Perhaps, but I'm trying to be honest. Yes, there are good excuses for this kind of performance (young, AA jump), but we can't sugarcoat the performance. Comparing him to Lofton sugarcoats the performance. I don't know if he will be another Hunter or Young at this point. For those worried about trading the next Lofton let me pose this question: if you knew now that you could have gotten a 15 game winner for Young or Hunter after their rookie seasons would you have done it? No one knows what the future will hold and Taveras could become a great player, but there is nothing in his track record that indicates he will be very good offensively. Personally, I think chances that he will be another Hunter or Young are better than the chances of him being another Lofton.
neatgw	Re: ...	#10	[-]
Posts: 271 (01/04/2006 12:27 AM) Astros Fan Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	I think the point is being missed. Why trade Taveras, or anyone else of value, for the right to pay Taveras a ton of money? If you're going to do those kind of deals, do them with FA's so you don't have to give up anything. I like Contreras, but he is not worth giving up Willy and then paying that much. I would bet the Astros are not going to do it. Too much is being read into the Wilson signing. I don't think Taveras is going anywhere and he shouldn't unless we really get something in reurn.
Bob Hulsey	Re: ...	#11	[-]
Astros Fan Posts: 4349 (01/04/2006 12:33 AM) Astros Fan Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Lofton was traded because we already had Steve Finley and if Lofton had been a corner outfielder, you would have heard the same complaints about him that they are making now about Burke (not enough power for a corner OF). In addition, we needed a catcher that was better than Scott Servais and that's what we thought we were getting in Taubensee. Yes, the deal didn't work out for us but, at the time, it made sense.
sturt	...	#12	[-]
Astros Fan Posts: 1617 (01/04/2006 12:55 AM) Astros Fan Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	*Quote:* Am I being harsh? Since you asked... yes. *Quote:* For those worried about trading the next Lofton let me pose this question: if you knew now that you could have gotten a 15 game winner for Young or Hunter after their rookie seasons would you have done it? Barz, at least PRETEND to be balanced, okay? I mean, you leave open the other end of the equation without so much as a whimper... To wit... If you knew you could have gotten a 15 game winner for LOFTON after his 20-game disappointment in 91, would YOU have done it? Oh and btw... that's a one-year RENTAL on that 15 game winner... and just to be clear, you are guaranteeing the 15 wins for Contreras in 06, right? *Quote:* No one knows what the future will hold and Taveras could become a great player, but there is nothing in his track record that indicates he will be very good offensively. Nothing? Sheesh. Barz, how high is your bar for "very good?" I can't pull up the stats, but to my memory, the guy torched Texas League pitching. There is every possiblity that Willie is the quintessential Minute Maid centerfielder: (a) can go get the ball better than almost anyone just based on his speed... if/when he polishes his jump on the ball off the bat, watch out... (b) can get to first, not just on bunts, but on routine grounders that either roll slowly or are the least bit of a struggle for the IF to get to... (c) can steal bases, but WILL steal bases much better in time, almost w/o a doubt. Sure, we're all in agreement that he has to develop some gap power... but he did that in AA, and there IS reason to believe he can do it as he gets more experienced and learns more pitchers. *Quote:* Personally, I think chances that he will be another Hunter or Young are better than the chances of him being another Lofton. Indeed. I think we picked up on that. But I think many of us see important differences b/t him and Hunter/Young, just as you say you see important differences b/t him and Lofton. It's just so dang hard to make that projection either way. Perhaps if someone has access to all four players' minor league stat lines?
TheRedSon	Re: ...	#13	[-]
Astros Fan Posts: 1773 (01/04/2006 1:48 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Lofton played AAA before he made it to the Majors, but he skipped AA. During his AAA season he hit 19 doubles and 17 triples. With the exception of power they're similar players, but without his ability to hit for extra bases who here would advocate pitching around Lofton?
JackSparrow	Re: ...	#14	[-]
Astros Fan Posts: 644 (01/04/2006 9:19 AM) Astros Fan Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Lofton has displayed more power in his career than Taveras has up to this point, and his K/BB ratio is much better, but Taveras will save a lot more runs with his arm vs. Lofton's noodle.
barzilla	Re: ...	#15	[-]
Astros Fan Posts: 4693 (01/04/2006 10:12 AM) Astros Fan Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	*Quote:* I can't pull up the stats, but to my memory, the guy torched Texas League pitching. No, he did not torch Texas League pitching. He had a high BATTING AVERAGE. This is very simple folks. Batting average is the single most overrated metric in baseball. Think about it this way, if you were taking a test would you rather know sixty percent of the material or ninety to ninety-five percent of the material? That is the difference between batting average and OPS. If you want to continue making low Ds then keep focusing on his batting average. I'll take the low A. By every accepted measure EXCEPT BATTING AVERAGE Willy has always been average to below average offensively except for that 1999 season. You say slugging percentage is overrated? Fine, he is still below average in on base percentage. You say OPS is overrated? I'm not sure I'll agree, but I'll bite for now. His OBIP (on base plus isolated power) was the worst among the regulars last season and his runs created also falls below average. Runs created explains between 95 and 100 percent of offensive production. That's a high A. Am I sandbagging the other side? Sure, I can't guarantee that Contreras can win 15 games. Heck, Clemens didn't even win 15 games with the league's best ERA. But let's take a look at his DIPS numbers. . . . . . .SO/9. . . .BB/9. . . .Ratio. . . .HR/9 2003. . .9.13. . . .3.80. . . ..2.40. . . ..0.51 2004. . .7.93. . . .4.44. . . ..1.79. . . ..1.64 2005. . .6.74. . . .3.28. . . ..2.05. . . ..1.01 Total. . .7.59. . . .3.81. . . ..1.99. . . ..1.17 He is above average in K/BB ratio and strikeouts per nine innings. The control numbers are slightly higher than normal and the home runs are also slightly higher than normal. However, what's hidden in here is a terrible first half of 2004 in New York. Since several pitchers have experienced problems in New York I will remove his 2004 New York numbers from above. Accuse me of stacking the deck if you wish, but I think the following are closer to what you can expect. Total. . . .7.57. . . .3.79. . . .2.00. . . .0.93 Look what happens to the home runs. Most of the other numbers are closer to where they were. When I said he was a 15 game winner that is exactly what he was. It would be more accurate to say he is considerably better than Brandon Backe. His numbers actually would come close to approaching Andy Pettitte over the course of three season. Andy has fewer Ks and walks, but also fewer home runs. At the worst, you would say he would be the third best starter on our team. So, if it makes you feel any better I'll say for a "number three pitcher" instead of fifteen game winner. Yes, none of us can predict the future, but the past gives us a good guess. The past tells us that Taveras will be at best slightly above average offensively and very good defensively. Is there value in that? Absolutely and you shouldn't just throw him to the wolves, but the track record also says you have an above average starter. One year rental? Perhaps, and that should go into the discussion, but there should be a discussion.
jb2k1	Re: ...	#16	[-]
Astros Fan Posts: 3554 (01/04/2006 10:18 AM) BIGGIO-HOFer! Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Back to Wilson and Purp's decision to lock-in on him and eventually pull the string on the deal; we've GOT to realize that with the team we had going to the WS, we made a HUGE pickup when we got Wilson. No, I'm NOT declaring him another Albert Pujolz or Manny Ramirez type pickup or type of player -- but he can and will make a huge impact playing CF for the Astros over what Willy Taveres could have brought to the game. We NEEDED another offensive player like Wilson; take a look at the MLB video highlights of Wilson and tell me we can't use his sweet swing to launch quite a few to his power alleys in MMP. AND it sounds like he WANTS to play here, with kudos to the organization from him and his like for hitting at our park. Maybe we've lost some speed on the bases with this deal, IF Willy T's the oddman out, but hey, Tavares' speed is a non-factor IF doesn't have better OB percentage, like he did for large portions of the season last year. And when he did make it OB, it wasn't a sure thing that he was going to steal anyway. I don't think our situation with the logjam in the OF is really any different than it was last year; everyone had to step it up every opportunity they were given, and accept their role with the club. But from what it sounds like in the article, "he'll be in the lineup everyday," from Purpura sounds like he's already tabbed Wilson for being the player to take them to the next level of actually WINNING the WS, and I don't think ANY of us would complain about that! Garner will find a way to best utilize Scott, Burke, Lane, Taveras, Wilson, & Berkman this year; the real question will be around Bagwell's recovery, who'll get the playing time and who'll be the odd-man-out THEN. Hey, look at it this way too, with the pickup of Wilson, we took away a weapon from a competing team (Nats), and THAT'S what it takes to improve, return, and go to the next level -- not just young players improving their game, and everybody stepping it up a notch, don't you think? Jimbob Basking in the golden memories of the '05 season, dreaming of what could've been! sigh ASTROS IN '06! LET'S DO IT AGAIN!
Clack	Re: ...	#17	[-]
Astros Fan Posts: 14830 (01/04/2006 10:39 AM) Astros Fan Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	1.Willy T's OBP was not good in the ML's. But my recollection is that his OBP was very good in AA Texas League and also not bad in his other minor league seasons. That is one reason I hold out the hope that he can improve his OBP in the majors. 2. My recollection of the Gerald Young story: he had a good season where he had a decent number of HRs, and then began to try and hit HRs, which led to his miserable subsequent seasons. I recall the Astros lamenting the fact that Young had become a flyball hitter (which was deadly for a guy like him in the Dome) and that they wanted him to go back to hitting groundballs, which he would have a chance of beating out. That, perhaps, is the down side of trying to focus Taveras on hitting with power. 3. I like Taveras' future prospects more than Barzilla. I want the Astros to keep him...but I would be willing to trade him for a good starting pitcher. I would probably do a Taveras-Contreras trade. Initially I was concerned about Contreras' salary, but it turns out that he might cost only $6 mil or so next year--which would be a bargain in today's market.Contreras has very good stuff. His weakness is similar to what happens to Lidge when he gets out of sorts: if Contreras can't throw his FB for strikes, then hitters lay off the splitter. But any difficulty he had in the past isn't because his stuff was bad. I like Contreras chances of pitching well against NL hitters who haven't seen much of him.
barzilla	Re: ...	#18	[-]
Astros Fan Posts: 4693 (01/04/2006 12:24 PM) Astros Fan Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Clack, Good points, Taveras did have a good OBP in Round Rock because of the .333 average, but the scouting reports indicated it was a lot of the kind of stuff we saw last year with infield hits and such. Of course, a hit is a hit, but teams already starting adjusting to that. You will notice that Ichiro doesn't beat out nearly as many infield hits as he used to and he might be the best big league comparable hitter to Willy T in style. I acknowledge that I could be wrong on Taveras. However, I seriously wonder how this team can take on six million dollars and then turn around and acquire Tejada (potentially). I see it as an either/or kind of deal. The club would be taking on 22 million in 2006. If Drayton does it I'll be impressed, but it doesn't fit with his history.
Bob Hulsey	Re: ...	#19	[-]
Astros Fan Posts: 4349 (01/04/2006 1:37 PM) Astros Fan Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	IMO, there are three places in the lineup where the offense can be upgraded. We kept Ausmus, so we can't upgrade there. We appear to be keeping Everett so we can't upgrade there. LF we have earmarked for Berkman until it is proven Bagwell can't return. So that leaves CF where we have a guy who bunts for hits and runs like the wind but does little else. I like Taveras and in other circumstances I would want to keep him and let him develop. But since we're on the cusp of reaching the World Series, adding another power bat makes sense. Now the question becomes what to do with Willy - send him back to AAA to develop, sit him on the bench and use him as a pinch-runner/defensive replacement or trade him to shore up the pitching staff. Personally, I'm uncomfortable with Lane and Wilson in the same lineup the way I'd be uncomfortable with Lane and Dunn. I'd rather have better contact hitters with a little less power than station-to-station homer-or-nothing hitters. But that's just me. Nonetheless, adding Wilson is a plus, particularly at the price. It just seems to me another shoe has to drop here and we'll wait and see what that is.
barzilla	Re: ...	#20	[-]
Astros Fan Posts: 4693 (01/04/2006 2:45 PM) Astros Fan Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	I share your concerns here Bob (with multiple free swingers). The key is whether we can acquire Tejada. Then, you could split Lane and Wilson up in the order. I like Wilson in the second slot actually (with Biggio leading off). He would have Berkman hitting behind him, so hopefully he would see more pitches.
scrybblerizer	Re: ...	#21	[-]
Astros Fan Posts: 478 (01/04/2006 8:16 PM) Astros Fan Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	*Quote:* But since we're on the cusp of reaching the World Series That's a big statement. From your fingertips to God's eye... I wouldn't put anything past this team, but I'd hardly call them favorites. My theory on WT is simple, and based on almost nothing but what i've seen on TV, but maybe it's worth something. I believe he had a lot more license to choose his batting style at AA, and was used to providing more pop in the lineup. He does have a wild, looping swing with some sting in it. I believe he got to the majors and was told to keep it on the ground and bunt more. Good advice, but the two approaches are night and day. He's done well with the new approach, but he has yet to find some kind of functional middle ground. That's a tall order against MLB pitching. But so was the change in approach. If he can integrate that powerful swing with better pitch selection and recognition, good things will happen. Hoping Tejada is another good thing that'll hapen.
OrdinaryAvgGuy	Re: ...	#22	[-]
Astros Fan Posts: 243 (01/04/2006 8:44 PM) Astros Fan Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	I think that it is near sighted to project Willy T's future based on a choice of 2 comparisons. The #1 issue with comparing their rookie seasons is that the biggest issue Willy faces is his OBP. The way he needs to change that is to strike out less and walk more. His strikeouts are nearly double Lofton's and Youngs and his walk totals are less than half of either. So you are, in fact, comparing Willy's rookie season to the rookie seasons of 2 centerfielders whose statistics in his area of most concern are very different. I am not a stat man myself, but wouldn't it be more prudent to project his ability to improve in these areas by comparing his rookie season to players with great speed whose strikeout and walk totals are similar to his? If I had the time, I try to find similar players based on his speed and then compare statistics, ignoring position.
jb2k1	Re: ...	#23	[-]
Astros Fan Posts: 3554 (01/04/2006 9:20 PM) BIGGIO-HOFer! Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	OrdinaryAverageGuy, ...are you a fan of Joe Walsh too? I just got his 2CD set, 'Look What I've Done' and have fallen in love with this guys music all over again. Besides Clapton tunes, I can't think of anyone else I'd rather listen to. "Welcome to the Club!" Oh, yeah, I look for Willy T to take the backseat this year, primarily relegated to a pinch-hitter, base-stealer role, with the Astros going for offense and Wilson's size & power, rather than just the speed of Taveras. Jimbob Basking in the golden memories of the '05 season, dreaming of what could've been! sigh ASTROS IN '06! LET'S DO IT AGAIN!
OrdinaryAvgGuy	Re: ...	#24	[-]
Astros Fan Posts: 243 (01/04/2006 9:38 PM) Astros Fan Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love Joe!!!
jb2k1	Re: ...	#25	[-]
Astros Fan Posts: 3554 (01/04/2006 10:10 PM) BIGGIO-HOFer! Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	ALRIGHT!!! Jimbob Basking in the golden memories of the '05 season, dreaming of what could've been! sigh ASTROS IN '06! LET'S DO IT AGAIN!
OrdinaryAvgGuy	Re: ...	#26	[-]
Astros Fan Posts: 243 (01/04/2006 10:25 PM) Astros Fan Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Concerning Willy T, though, I expect to see an outfield rotation if Bagwell comes back, moving Willy and Lane in and out.
barzilla	Re: ...	#27	[-]
Astros Fan Posts: 4693 (01/04/2006 11:09 PM) Astros Fan Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Ordinary, *Quote:* I am not a stat man myself, but wouldn't it be more prudent to project his ability to improve in these areas by comparing his rookie season to players with great speed whose strikeout and walk totals are similar to his? I agree completely. What happened was that someone brought up the deal that sent Lofton to the Indians. I made the comparison to show there was no comparison. However, if you wanted to project Taveras forward you would want to find a similar player. The trouble is he is pretty unique.
TheRedSon	Minor League Stats	#28	[-]
Astros Fan Posts: 1773 (01/05/2006 2:59 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Taveras Age - 20, SAL (A), 313 AB, .265/.385/.355, 45 BB, 19 extra base hits Age - 21, Caro (A), 397 AB, .282/.381/.350, 52 BB, 17 extra base hits Age - 22, Tex (AA), 409 AB, .335/.402/.386, 38 BB, 16 extra base hits Age - 23, NL, 592 AB, .291/.325/.341, 25 BB, 20 extra base hits Lofton (I don't have OBP numbers for Kenny Lofton in the minors so I'll show AVG/SLG) Age - 22, SAL (A), 82 AB, .329/.390, 12 BB, 3 extra base hits Age - 23, FSL (A), 481 AB, .331/.395, 61 BB, 22 extra base hits Age - 24, PCL (AAA), 545 AB, .308/.417, 52 BB, 38 extra base hits Age - 25, AL, 576 AB, .285/.362/.365, 68 BB, 28 extra base hits By age 26 Lofton was one of the best leadoff hitters in the game. The comparison with Gerald Young really isn't a good one. Young hit .321/.380/.380 in his first 274 Major League at ba

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Congrat to Tim!

Congrat to Tim!