Probably, Jeff. But, I was using it here in the context of how insanely hyped as a prospect that Barton was. Hindsight, "grains of salt" and all that, but this piece by John Sickels - http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?id=1953008 - was the kind of over-the-top praise Barton was getting from all corners after the A's acquired him.
It's understandable that you don't trust Barton since he's only produced in the same month 3 years running. But at the same time, he's only played one full season. He wasn't even given a shot at consistent playing time in 2009 until late in the season. It was very frustrating to me because they would call him up, play him once every 4 days, then send him down. There's also reason to believe that he's been slightly unlucky with his BABIP in this time in the majors. In 2009, he improved his K rate and BB rate. I believe that he's turned the corner. I'm taking the OVER on Barton.
March 8, 2010 at 6:05 PM
Acquired: Traded from St. Louis (with SP Dan Haren and RP Kiko Calero) for SP Mark Mulder (December 18, 2004). Contract: One year thru 2010. (Not yet eligible for arbitration.) Position: Starting 1B
Projected BA/OBP/SLG: (.261/.366/.413)
Over/Under: For the third time in Barton's short and increasingly star-crossed career, he posted terrific numbers (.306/.402/.469) in September last season. In fact, Barton has a lifetime September OPS of .944 in nearly 300 plate appearances. During the other five months of the season, his career OPS is .617. He was reportedly the epitome of the "entitled rookie attitude" in 2008 and tanked like the 20th anniversary of Gregg Jefferies' first full season.
Last spring, the A's opened the season with Giambi Blutarsky at first. Barton got his job back after Giambi was put to sleep in July (three months after Jason's bat was evidently euthanized). I really like the projection, but I'll keep taking the UNDER until Barton has more than one good month in a season.
By the Numbers: 120 – The difference between Barton's career minor league OPS (.862) and career Major League OPS (.742).
Surefire 2010 Prediction: This will be Barton's last chance at the everyday first baseman gig if he doesn't take a step forward on offense this season. Oakland has top power prospect Chris Carter waiting in the wings at AAA-Sacramento and he could be ready for The Show by the All-Star Break.
5 Comments
Close this window Jump to comment formHow does Barton's minor/major split compare to most major leaguers? Wouldn't that be expected of most players?
March 6, 2010 at 9:08 PM
Probably, Jeff. But, I was using it here in the context of how insanely hyped as a prospect that Barton was. Hindsight, "grains of salt" and all that, but this piece by John Sickels - http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?id=1953008 - was the kind of over-the-top praise Barton was getting from all corners after the A's acquired him.
March 7, 2010 at 5:24 AM
Snoop track for the Season
Who Am I (What's My Name)
March 7, 2010 at 6:41 AM
Too easy, Nicka. Besides, I'd already earmarked Pac's "They Don't Know Who We Are" for the reign of anonymous A's coming this week.
March 7, 2010 at 6:47 AM
It's understandable that you don't trust Barton since he's only produced in the same month 3 years running. But at the same time, he's only played one full season. He wasn't even given a shot at consistent playing time in 2009 until late in the season. It was very frustrating to me because they would call him up, play him once every 4 days, then send him down. There's also reason to believe that he's been slightly unlucky with his BABIP in this time in the majors. In 2009, he improved his K rate and BB rate. I believe that he's turned the corner. I'm taking the OVER on Barton.
March 8, 2010 at 6:05 PM