Nelson Cruz is back up

[DSheppard]

just thought id let people know what he did in AAA.

he was a total disaster to start the season and got sent down. but in 45 games and 162 at bats at AAA oklahoma, he hit...
.352 avg, .428 obp, .698 slugging, 1.126 ops, 15 homeruns, 45 rbi.

hes 27 so he sure better hit AAA pitching, but none the less thats some monster numbers.

and then he just hit a moonshot HR in his first at bat back in the big leagues, first swing.

just someone to keep an eye on, hes got the power potential of someone you might not mind picking up in some leagues if he looks like hes on a hot streak.

[TEAM MVP]

thanks for the post, i'll put him on my watch list...i remember he was regarded as a light sleeper...maybe he will spark it up again.

[BALCO All-Stars]

Reports that I read had Cruz as the everyday RF and Byrd as the everyday CF...they want to give both of these guys everyday AB's to see if they fit into the Rangers' future plans.

[DSheppard]

Reports that I read had Cruz as the everyday RF and Byrd as the everyday CF...they want to give both of these guys everyday AB's to see if they fit into the Rangers' future plans.

yep. jason botts will also be brought up after the trade deadline and given every day at bats at DH as well. sosa will reportedly be released if the rangers cant trade him, or at best relegated to platooning vs lefties.

and of course if the saltalamacchia trade goes through, theres another guy who will be getting full at bats.

[BALCO All-Stars]

This is a little off subject, but I already have Michael Young and Byrd in a deep 14 team league...and I've heard great things about Cruz and Botts and I'm eagerly awaiting word for the Salty trade...but how would everyone rank Byrd, Cruz, and Botts?

[DSheppard]

i like byrd as a player, but he has cooled off and doesnt have power, so his value is down. he does have an every day playing spot and a nice spot in the order though.

botts i think has really improved as a hitter even though its been AAA. he never complains about being held in aaa with a chance, just says he uses it as a chance to improve everything he can and tweak his swing. his biggest problem is that he cant even play 1b (back problems.. or so the rangers say, i dont really believe them), so he could never be counted on to get at bats. but with the rangers out of it they are committed to giving him at bats the rest of the way so theres no issue for the rest of the year at least.

despite being a gigantic person, i dont think he has as much raw power as cruz does but i think he will hit for a higher average and have a much higher obp.

cruz probably benefits more from AAA pitching than botts, since botts can handle breaking pitches and has more patience where as cruz probably just swings away at AAA fastballs all day. i still like cruz but i think hes much more boom or bust than botts who i think after he adjusts a bit will be a solid bat. cruz may turn into a .270-30 HR guy or he may hit .200, ive got no idea.

id go botts-cruz-byrd.

[DSheppard]

cruz just hit a moonshot for his second homerun of the game, 2 run shot.

final game line: 2 for 3 with a walk and his out was a groundout with a rbi. 2 homeruns, 5 rbi.

[TEAM MVP]

yeah, i like nelson alot. i did before even when he didnt do so well. im hoping he surges and becomes a nice sleeper.
cruz-botts-byrd for now.

[DSheppard]

ok, i wont be bumping this every time the man gets a hit, but i have to post.

so he had the 2 for 3, 2 homerun 5 rbi game in his first game.
was 1 for 3 with a walk his second day.
and is now 2 for 2 with a single and MONSTER homerun in his third game.

id pick this guy up and ride the hot streak in any semi deep or al only league.

edit: 446 feet officially to dead center at the jake.