Sunday, March 30, 2008

Opening Day News, Preview

Just a few quick notes about Opening Day. As Fish Stripes reports, the ill-fated injury to Alejandro de Aza will ensure that Cody Ross gets the start in CF. That's a decision we're happy about here at The South Florida Fan, and we imagine they're happy at codyross.org as well. Of course, we also feel sympathy for de Aza.

My only concern was over Cody Ross's ability to play defense. The offensive numbers have been shockingly good. Here was his performance in 173 AB last year:

.335/.411/.653 (an amazing 1.064 OPS), 12HR, 39RBI.

For those who worry about Ross's ability to hit while playing CF:

.320/.388/.563 (.951 OPS)

He also demonstrated versatility against righties and lefties:

Lefties: .385/.474/.738 (1.212 OPS)
Righties: .306/.372/.602 (.974 OPS)

Is he likely to keep this up in 2008? Of course not, but the CF position battle should have been a no-brainer. I'm still wondering why it was even in doubt.

I'll be coming out with an Opening Day Preview later, and tomorrow I'll be doing an inning-by-inning journal of the kickoff game. Follow along with me (DSponge will be at the game).

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

The game will be over midway through the first. hendrickson is gonna get drilled, and you won't hit sh** off Santana.

Have fun blogging the game.

DSponge said...

You know, I would normally agree, but I think we should remember the final game of the season last year for these two squads. With Tom Glavine on the mound in a crucial game for NY, the game was over halfway through the first. I believe the Marlins won.

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