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June review – hitters
I'll run through it position by position in preparation for the trade deadline
CATCHER
Couldn't be much happier. Both Piazza and Fletcher are hitting – with wRC+'s above 100. Our pitching is among the best in the league, so they seem to be handling the pitchers just fine.
In AAA Carlos Hernandez wasn't happy in losing his backup job to Fletcher, and hasn't performed well (83 wRC+). Maybe a change in scenery would be best.
INFIELD
First base
Here's an opportunity to improve. The improvement could come from within, or we might be compelled to make a move
Dave Hollins has struggled all year. He's currently on the DL with an injury, but is expected back soon.
Bobby Bonilla has gotten the majority of time at first while Hollins has been injured, and Bo-Bo has had his own struggles.
Mike Bush, Brian Traxler and Billy Ashley are the likely replacements (along with Chris Donnels discussed later). None figure to win a spot on a first place team expecting a deep playoff run.
Second base
Jose Offerman has had the majority of playing time at 2B. The defense hasn't been great (-3.9 ZR and 14 errors). We knew defense wasn't his strength. Offensively, he has a solid .342 OBP, but no power (.059 ISO), which we're leveraging by hitting him ninth in front of Rickey and Piazza. He's got a .282 BABIP so there's not a lot of hope for improvement for his .238 batting average – he's just not driving the ball. He's also been good on the bases with 16 steals in 21 attempts and a 2.9 (BsR).
Eddie Pye who started the season in LA, has struggled in AAA (77 wRC+). Rafael Bournigal has a 99 wRC+ in Albuquerque but he'd be behind Mike Benjamin (who'll aslo be discussed later).
Third base
Gary Gaetti has been more than we anticipated. He's bounced back to a 104 wRC+, after a 73 last year, to go along with gold glove caliber defense (+3.7). He's on a 3.3 WAR pace for the year.
Chris Donnels has also had time at 3B, 1B and 2B. He's struggled in sporadic playing time (79 wRC+) but he has a .417 OBP has a pinch hitter and hit a huge pinch hit grandslam against the Astros.
Mike Bush, mentioned above, is the AAA 3B along with Eddie Pye, also mentioned above.
Shortstop
John Valentin might be the team MVP. Since starting the season on the IL he's second on the team in WAR. His defense has been as fantastic (+5.3 ZR) as his hitting.
Mike Benjamin is the backup SS, though he gets most of his time coming in to replace Offerman at second. He's a plus defensive player at both SS and 2B. He's not much offensively, though his 50 wRC+ might be selling him a little bit short.
Eddie Pye (previously mentioned)and Clay Bellinger are in AAA. Bellinger has been on the IL most of they year, and isn't expected to be more than a backup to the backup.
OUTFIELD
Left field
Rickey Henderson isn't quite back to his MVP production of a couple years ago, but we'll take a 137 wRC+, near .400 OBP, and excellent base running (27 steals and 3.8 BsR). He's starting to slow down a bit of defense (-3.4 ZR) but his offense more than makes up for that.
Center field
Devon White is the MVP of the team right now if Valentin isn't. Just league average hitting with a .300 OBP but coupled with +16 defense in CF and 15 steals for a +5.2 BsR that makes for a very valuable player.
Right field
Bobby Bonilla has already been discussed. His league average hitting is a far cry from the 140 wRC+ we've come to expect.
Outfield
Mike Huff and Bill Bean have combined for a solid left-right combination off the bench. A combined 105 wRC+, average to better corner OF defense and positive base running is just about what we could have expected out of them. JT Bruett has also been with the team all season. He's taken advantage of the few trips to the plate he's been called upon for. More frequently, he's asked to play RF late in close ball games where he has a +.9 ZR in just 38 innings. He also starts whenever Devon White needs a day off and gets a few pinch running opportunities. He hasn't stolen a base, but has a positive BsR.
We've got the second best record in baseball (and second best pythag record) and we haven't had everybody hitting on all cylinders yet. So we're pretty comfortable, but always looking to get better.
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