Is Dustin Pedroia A Bust?

[SlumpBustR]

I know it's early to speculate on the kid, but...........

what is up with this story?

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2007/02/25/second_chance/

1.) drops 25 lbs going from 196 last year to 171 for ST?

2.) has a swing "far too big for his body"

3.) "He's got a lot of work [to do] on defense" (?????)

I remember Remy commenting on how he needs to work more on his pivot at 2nd when he was up last year this article reads BUST all over it especially unless he makes a significant number of BIG ADJUSTMENTS this year

[oldskool138]

I know it's early to speculate on the kid, but...........

what is up with this story?

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2007/02/25/second_chance/

1.) drops 25 lbs going from 196 last year to 171 for ST?

2.) has a swing "far too big for his body"

3.) "He's got a lot of work [to do] on defense" (?????)

I remember Remy commenting on how he needs to work more on his pivot at 2nd when he was up last year this article reads BUST all over it especially unless he makes a significant number of BIG ADJUSTMENTS this year

I'm not a big Pedroia fan. I think the Sox feel guilty because the traded away the NL rookie of the year (albeit for a front-line starter and a solid but aging third baseman) and Eckstien who now has two WS rings.

This is more about not "losing" players in the minors. A lot of prospects despair when the Sox sign J.D. Drew for 5 years and Lugo for 4. They feel as though even if the progress well in the minors, they won't crack the big team and be traded away (a la the Yankees).
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I think Theo saw an opportunity to show the guys in AA and AAA that they can indeed make it to the bigs in the Sox system. Pedroia is a low-risk, high-reward player. If he is a bust or progresses slowly, Cora can step in until he's ready without negatively impacting the line-up. Heck, if Dustin tears it up and becomes the AL Rookie of the Year...even better. It really is a win-win situation.


For the record, I'd have signed Loretta and played Dustin next year.

[PatsDVD]

I know it's early to speculate on the kid, but...........

what is up with this story?

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2007/02/25/second_chance/

1.) drops 25 lbs going from 196 last year to 171 for ST?

2.) has a swing "far too big for his body"

3.) "He's got a lot of work [to do] on defense" (?????)

I remember Remy commenting on how he needs to work more on his pivot at 2nd when he was up last year this article reads BUST all over it especially unless he makes a significant number of BIG ADJUSTMENTS this year

I don't know, I read the article as mostly positive. Sounds like he wasn't prepared to take the step to the majors last year - and he played lousy. He's coming into camp in better shape and looking to improve. I think he's going to hit ok, my concern is his fielding. No team can afford to have a weak hitting second baseman with no glove.

[Mikiemo83]

I haven't read the article yet but

I think he thought he needed more power last year and added bulk - mistake that he was quickly told to reverse - with the lost bulk he should become more of a slap hitter like Eckstein and I give him the season to see how he adjust

I believe he sputtered at 1st when brought up to PawSox so a little time please before I post a poll to replace him with Cora - whom I love as a player - very smart

[southcarolina]

You cant call anyone with a month of september call up MLB service time a bust. You just cant.

[PatsDVD]

You cant call anyone with a month of september call up MLB service time a bust. You just cant.

IMO, the only "bust" eligible players on the team are Lugo, Drew, Beckett and Tavares. (Clement is already a bust).

[oldskool138]

IMO, the only "bust" eligible players on the team are Lugo, Drew, Beckett and Tavares. (Clement is already a bust).

I think the Boston impatience is going to rear it's ugly head this year. '04 is now three years in the past. If the number nine spot is a black hole people are going to take notice. As far as expectations go I think the order from highest to lowest (of the new players) is:

1. Dice-K
2. J.D. Drew
3. The Unknown Closer (maybe Pienero)
4. Lugo
5. Pedroia

Dustin won't catch as much flack for struggling but he will feel a little bit the heat if any of the guys above him struggle for an extended period of time.

[Mikiemo83]

pedroia needs for Loretta to have a bad year

[PatsDVD]

I think the Boston impatience is going to rear it's ugly head this year. '04 is now three years in the past. If the number nine spot is a black hole people are going to take notice. As far as expectations go I think the order from highest to lowest (of the new players) is:

1. Dice-K
2. J.D. Drew
3. The Unknown Closer (maybe Pienero)
4. Lugo
5. Pedroia

Beckett needs to be on the list, too. Dice-K will have a lot of built in excuses to fall back on (adjustments, new country, etc.). Beckett already went through the "adjustment" excuses last year - he needs to produce.

[JD10367]

Pedroia's not great, but he's no Chad Jackson.

As for the weight, they told him to lose that.

Agreed that you can't call the kid a bust with such limited big-league time.

Wait until at least May. :D

[oldskool138]

Beckett needs to be on the list, too. Dice-K will have a lot of built in excuses to fall back on (adjustments, new country, etc.). Beckett already went through the "adjustment" excuses last year - he needs to produce.

I didn't include Beckett because he played for the Sox last year. This was a list of new acquisitions and rookies.

But, I do agree with you on Beckett. There are no more excuses this year. I expect him to come up big. If I see him shake 'Tek off this year.......:mad:

[Fully Tilted]

You cant call anyone with a month of september call up MLB service time a bust. You just cant.

Agreed 100%. I don't even think you can call a minor-league prospect a "bust" or "boon" until at least after 2 years of full-time service at the major-league level.

[Fully Tilted]

But, I do agree with you on Beckett. There are no more excuses this year. I expect him to come up big. If I see him shake 'Tek off this year.......:mad:

I think you have to consider Beckett in the "Bust" category if he has a medicore year this year. This guy was lauded as one of the two best pitching prospects back in 2001 and 2002 alongside Mark Prior and hasn't really lived up to that hype. He still has time to regain that type of status and has the tools to do it (and so does Prior).

[Mikiemo83]

I think you have to consider Beckett in the "Bust" category if he has a medicore year this year. This guy was lauded as one of the two best pitching prospects back in 2001 and 2002 alongside Mark Prior and hasn't really lived up to that hype. He still has time to regain that type of status and has the tools to do it (and so does Prior).

before Beckett (May 15, 1980) gets lynched, remember he is the same age as Papelbon (November 23, 1980) but choose the minor league path over the college path (listening to him you would understand that choice) and came up with the Marlins - yes he was a World Series Pitcher but he is still real young at 26

[Fully Tilted]

before Beckett (May 15, 1980) gets lynched, remember he is the same age as Papelbon (November 23, 1980) but choose the minor league path over the college path (listening to him you would understand that choice) and came up with the Marlins - yes he was a World Series Pitcher but he is still real young at 26

I was basing my assertion on the fact that he's entering his 5th season at the major-league level. I noted that he still had time to regain dominance at the big level because of his age actually, though rarely do pitcher's pitch for 5 years and then have a dramatic change of talent or execution (for the better) take place. Chris Carpenter comes to mind but I can't think of anyone else in recent memeory.

Believe me, I'm pulling for it, I just don't know if it's going to happen. His numbers at the AA and AAA level were RIDICULOUS, like 13/K per 9 innings average type stuff. He hasn't really come close to matching his minor-league dominance, even with his success in '03.

Staying objective here, he hasn't logged many innings on his arm and that is a good thing going forward.

[#1Patsfan_chica]

I can already see Pedroia being a bust but I hope I'm wrong. I'm willing to wait until the trading deadline.

[luso2kx]

What did he have, some 12 ABs last season?

Can we have a bit more of a showing from him before deciding whether or not he's a bust?

[Boomer]

Bump!

Bust!!!!!!

[SamBam39]

Maybe a bit premature on the bust label.

[TheRick67]

pedroia sucks..

[Joolz]

pedroia sucks..

1559

[TheRick67]

1559

I guess my sarcasm was missed...pedroia is about the only thing worth watching on this team at the moment..

[Joolz]

I guess my sarcasm was missed...pedroia is about the only thing worth watching on this team at the moment..

Sorry. I missed it. An infrequent poster; a two word post like that; and lacking one of these ;), led me to think "troll." My bad.

[TheRick67]

Sorry. I missed it. An infrequent poster; a two word post like that; and lacking one of these ;), led me to think "troll." My bad.

No problem...I havent been over in a while.

I spend most of my time on the planet:th_coffee:

[Boomer]

I was kidding! Next time I'll try to remember to use a smiley!

I bumped this thread to stimulate traffic / discussion.

I love the guy. He's my size (~5'8") and it's easy to identify with him. He started poorly but has since put on a "Laser Show", lol.

In a Sox season that has, to date, been uninspired, Pedroia continues to play hard and produce.

[Joolz]

I was kidding! Next time I'll try to remember to use a smiley!

I bumped this thread to stimulate traffic / discussion.

I love the guy. He's my size (~5'8") and it's easy to identify with him. He started poorly but has since put on a "Laser Show", lol.

In a Sox season that has, to date, been uninspired, Pedroia continues to play hard and produce.

My "troll" post was in response to what TheRick67 wrote, not your post Boomer.