Need a FA slugger? Look at Jason Botts

[AT]

He was hitting .318 with 10 home runs and 32 RBI in 40 games with Triple-A Oklahoma before getting called up last week.

He's off to a nice start with a .417 BA in 12 AB with a Homer and 3 RBI. Kid is 6'6" 245. Sort of a late developer in the minors, probably started doing Roids around Age 23 or so and since he's kind of a Wily Mo Pena who either strikes out or hits a bomb.

If he plays the rest of the season with regular playing time now that Phil Nevin is out, you MIGHT get 20 homers from him the rest of the way.

[Havok1517]

rotoworld

Jason Botts – 1B Rangers – The Rangers were quick to look past a few strong weeks from first basemen Phil Nevin and recalled Botts from Triple-A Oklahoma to challenge the veteran for playing time versus right-handers. Botts turns 26 this summer and he’s not a future star, but his bat is strong enough to be an asset and playing half his games in Arlington will certainly help. His career batting line in the minors is .290/.393/.471 while posting similar if not slightly better numbers at higher levels. Botts was also hitting an impressive .318/.373/.615 before getting recalled, so the power potential here is obvious.

The big, 6’5”, 250-pound switch-hitter is going to strike out at least once per game and it’s more likely he hits .260 than .290 in the majors. However, he has enough pitch recognition skills to draw a fair number of walks and destroy mistake pitches. Since being called up, Botts is 4-for-8 with two doubles, a homer, and four walks in three starts. That Phil Nevin has belted a couple of homers in the past week could slow Botts’ chances of becoming the club’s primary DH, but it’s still possible that will eventually happen. The more playing time he gets, the more valuable he’ll be in AL-only formats. Mixed leaguers can watch the situation, but should only act if Botts establishes himself as a starter. Recommendation: Claim in AL-only leagues.

[j24jags]

I'm buying the hype, picking him up in one of my leagues.

[reiser]

Bucky Jacobsen redux.

[bceagles04]

I'm buying the hype, picking him up in one of my leagues.

me too

[Doughhead]

Bucky Jacobsen redux.

What's wrong with Bucky Jacobsen?

[Slow Pitch]

Bucky Jacobsen redux.

Quite wrong on this one. Botts is a much more intelligent hitter.

[AcidRock23]

will he be playing full time?

[rentz]

will he be playing full time?

i think he will eventually, for now he might split time while derosa gives some days off to the infielders, but he will pretty much be the everyday dh.

and he had a history of being a high strikeout guy, but he is getting much better at drawing walks, and already has a few so far this year.

[WittyC]

Bucky Jacobsen redux.

Quite wrong on this one. Botts is a much more intelligent hitter.

I think this is an excellent comparison. I don't see how Botts is a "much more intelligent hitter" when the two had near-identical K/BB numbers in a similar number of minor-league AB's.

Jacobsen (through 2005)
2843 AB
1.65 BB/K

Botts (through 2005)
2419 AB
1.64 BB/K