HITTERS CHANGING LEAGUES. DOES IT MEAN THAT MUCH?

[KPucks]

So would everyone still be ok taking Vlad real early? Any hesitations???

Vlad is a top 5 pick (possibly number 3) even aftter the league switch. He is a bonafide stud.

[wrveres]

well there is many examples of players struggling when they come over. Giambi, Thome are justa few recent example. Pitchers generally have the early advantage in a league switch. But the single most difficult position to learn, when facing a league switch is Catchers. Not only do they have to learn a new league, but they also need to learn a new Pitching staff.


As Arlo said earlier ... its just one part of the puzzle.

as for Vlad. as long as he is healthy, he will be fine. Its not like any pitcher is going to get a ball by that swing anyway.

[KPucks]

Giambi, Thome are justa few recent example.

If you are talking about Jason Giambi, he never switched leagues.

[GotowarMissAgnes]

well there is many examples of players struggling when they come over. Giambi, Thome are justa few recent example. Pitchers generally have the early advantage in a league switch. But the single most difficult position to learn, when facing a league switch is Catchers. Not only do they have to learn a new league, but they also need to learn a new Pitching staff.


As Arlo said earlier ... its just one part of the puzzle.

as for Vlad. as long as he is healthy, he will be fine. Its not like any pitcher is going to get a ball by that swing anyway.

But there are also many examples of people not struggling when they come over. Mueller, Pudge, Bret Boone, to name a few off of the top of my head.

I don't think there's any good data that suggests that players who switch leagues are at a significant disadvantage just because of the league switch nor that pitchers have any initial advantage. That's why I would ignore.

[wrveres]

Giambi, Thome are justa few recent example. quote]If you are talking about Jason Giambi, he never switched leagues.

true, very true. Good point, thank you

All good points. Its all just one part of the puzzle.

[NZF]

Yeah Thome really struggled with the adjustment!

47 HR's and 131 RBI's

Thome in 2001 playing in the AL

Runs 101 Hits 153 HR's 49 RBI's 124 Walks 111 SO's 185

Thome in 2003 playing in the NL

Runs 111 Hits 154 HR's 47 RBI's 131 Walks 111 SO's 182

Get your facts right WRVERES

[trevisc]

Yeah Thome really struggled with the adjustment!

47 HR's and 131 RBI's

Thome in 2001 playing in the AL

Runs 101 Hits 153 HR's 49 RBI's 124 Walks 111 SO's 185

Thome in 2003 playing in the NL

Runs 111 Hits 154 HR's 47 RBI's 131 Walks 111 SO's 182

Get your facts right WRVERES

was there any difference in his average during that time?

Thome isn't natural! 182ks and 111 walks!

wow

[NZF]

Yeah admittedly his average was down.

2001 .291

2003 .266 but 3 categories out of 4 aint bad.

Amazing how those numbers are almost mirrored though!

[trevisc]

Yeah admittedly his average was down.

2001 .291

2003 .266 but 3 categories out of 4 aint bad.

Amazing how those numbers are almost mirrored though!

I agree...that is amazing. I don't think there will be a decline either. I think he'll have pretty simillar numbers this year.

[KPucks]

Thome is a freak. No player should get that many K's and walks. It's just unnatural.