Fangraphs article: Colby Rasmus

[g_greg]

At least in terms of recent baseball, no non-pitcher has swung and missed with Colby Rasmus’ frequency. Though batters are trending toward more and more strikeouts, the league average is about 80% contact. Rasmus’ rate (53.9%) is practically unheard of, and it’s not like a bunch of swings and misses are inconspicuous. Yet somehow, Rasmus has still produced in the early going, basically clubbing the ball whenever he’s struck it.

So on one hand, Rasmus has produced. On the other, Rasmus has been a catastrophe, and it seems to have a lot to do with the pitch types he’s seen. All four of his home runs have been hit against heaters, and the offspeed stuff has been driving him insane, in between the base hits.

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/theres-going-to-be-a-colby-rasmus-change/

[The_Hater]

Yikes.

Rasmus always struck me as one of those 5 tool players that the old time scouts used to fall in love with but those tools don't necessarily transfer to being a productive MLB player. He has spent 3 half seasons in Toronto and although he's looked good at times, 2 of those half seasons produced OPS numbers in the 500's. This information seems to line up with that inconsistancy at the plate. I would imagine that an increased diet of breaking balls will be on it's way shortly.

[Mohanad]

I don't know if those numbers mean anything but Rasmus has been the star of the season thus far IMO. And he was acquired for spare parts to so not really much to complain about with him. I think it helps that his micro managing father is far away and not interfering in his game, there was quite a conflict with his dad and the cards hitting coaches about what's best for Colby.

[Santoki]

I don't know if those numbers mean anything but Rasmus has been the star of the season thus far IMO. And he was acquired for spare parts to so not really much to complain about with him. I think it helps that his micro managing father is far away and not interfering in his game, there was quite a conflict with his dad and the cards hitting coaches about what's best for Colby.

There's no way Colby is the star of the team this season. A guy that strikes out in half of his at-bats just can't be that. Offensively, if we're looking at power numbers, then JP's faired better (despite also striking out in half of his at-bats). The only bright spots so far this season are the bullpen and more specifically Janssen, Cecil, and maybe Delabar.

[StopitLeo]

Rasmus reminds me of Pedro Cerrano. Are you allowed to bring cigars and rum into the Rogers Centre? We need to make an offering to Jobu who will take the fear of the curveball from his bats.

[Tyrone Slothrop]

There's no way Colby is the star of the team this season. A guy that strikes out in half of his at-bats just can't be that. Offensively, if we're looking at power numbers, then JP's faired better (despite also striking out in half of his at-bats). The only bright spots so far this season are the bullpen and more specifically Janssen, Cecil, and maybe Delabar.

The difference is that despite his strikeouts Colby has the ability to take a walk.

The strikeouts are incredibly frustrating and tough to watch, but he has an OPS over .800 and a .358 wOBA. I will DEFINITELY take that from Colby at this point, and likewise I will take the current .850 OPS and .361 wOBA from JP. If Jose, EE, and Melky were batting the way we were hoping, we would be absolutely THRILLED with what we've gotten from Colby and JPA so far.

[joseph235]

I don't know if those numbers mean anything but Rasmus has been the star of the season thus far IMO. And he was acquired for spare parts to so not really much to complain about with him. I think it helps that his micro managing father is far away and not interfering in his game, there was quite a conflict with his dad and the cards hitting coaches about what's best for Colby.

There's no way Colby is the star of the team this season. A guy that strikes out in half of his at-bats just can't be that. Offensively, if we're looking at power numbers, then JP's faired better (despite also striking out in half of his at-bats). The only bright spots so far this season are the bullpen and more specifically Janssen, Cecil, and maybe Delabar.

So far yes, Rasmus has been the most productive player on the Jays so far according to advanced metrics.

[Tyrone Slothrop]

So far yes, Rasmus has been the most productive player on the Jays so far according to advanced metrics.

Offensively, JPA's been more productive. Colby has additional value because he's an above average defender and JPA is most definitely not.

[Randle McMurphy]

In these three weeks, according to WAR, Colby's contributed about half as much as he had over his entire time as a Jay. So yeah, even with the historic K rate, I'll take it. I'll take anything after that abysmal second half last season.

[g_greg]

He's been productive. It's just mind blowing how he can manage that with an epic-cally bad contact rate. I'm just worried that the production is not sustainable over the season.

[joseph235]

He's been productive. It's just mind blowing how he can manage that with an epic-cally bad contact rate. I'm just worried that the production is not sustainable over the season.

I have more faith in Rasmus to sustain some sort of success than JPA, because he actually has a decent eye at the plate and has done it before (2010 season).

[MikeM]

I really don't think it would hurt him to change his approach just a bit. No one's asking him to turn into slap happy Bonifacio but it's almost a proven statistical impossibility for him to keep contributing when he makes such little contact.

He has good speed. He would do himself some good if he put some of those 2 strike pitches in play. I mean, just get your barrel on one off-speed pitch this year please?