Author Topic: Espinosa - need him or bench him? (Read 2143 times)

Slumpbuster · « **Topic Start:** July 22, 2012, 12:07:25 PM »

As much as a lot of us were bemoaning Danny's terrible hitting earlier in the year and even beseeching DJ to bench him it is becoming more apparent that he will be an integral part of any post season aspirations we have.
Yea, he strikes out more than we want but he comes up w/ clutch hits and can play 2nd or short ( when Desmond has to sit ) with incredible skill......reliable is the word. We have seen some of our recent opponents ( Giants and these Braves come to mind ) lose ball games to us largely due to crappy infield play.
I'm betting Danny is one of the league leaders in fewest errors?

Lintyfresh85 · « **Reply #1:** July 22, 2012, 12:13:26 PM »

He has really cut down his strikeouts the last few months and has been solid at the plate.

K rate

March/April - 29.7%
May - 31.5%
June - 22.6%
July - 23.9%

Anyone nagging over his playing time only remembers his bad start and hasn't watched him play in quite a while.

lastobjective · « **Reply #2:** July 22, 2012, 12:21:41 PM »

http://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=2b&stats=fld&lg=all&qual=y&type=0&season=2012&month=0&season1=2012&ind=0&team=0&rost=0&age=0&players=0&sort=8,a

Looks like Espi is a little above average when it comes to errors (he has 4).

Slumpbuster · « **Reply #3:** July 22, 2012, 12:24:59 PM »

Only four players in the majors have fewer errors at 2nd base ( 4 ). Plus with his range he probably gets to a lot of balls others don't.

Baseball is Life · « **Reply #4:** July 22, 2012, 12:26:06 PM »

Oh, how far we have come.

If some WNFFers had their way, Espi would have been sent down this year and Desi would have been sent down last year.

The value of patience with young players cannot be underestimated. Both players obviously have the tools so it was just a matter of time.

lastobjective · « **Reply #5:** July 22, 2012, 12:32:27 PM »

I definitely want to keep Espi. He does great at 2B and his clutch hits are awesome. That clutch HR on Friday was awesome!

cmdterps44 · « **Reply #6:** July 22, 2012, 01:44:57 PM »

Seeing Desmond step it up in his third year, I'd like to at least give Espinosa the same chance.

Lintyfresh85 · « **Reply #7:** July 22, 2012, 01:54:54 PM »

Even if Espinosa doesn't step it up, he's still a starting caliber 2B. Something that could not be said about Desmond.

Smithian · « **Reply #8:** July 22, 2012, 01:55:52 PM »

He responded!

JCA-CrystalCity · « **Reply #9:** July 22, 2012, 06:57:23 PM »

He's been pretty good the past 4 weeks (OPS .774) per B-R, and my impression has been that his LHB performance is coming around, although I can't find stats on that.

madj55 · « **Reply #10:** July 22, 2012, 07:25:57 PM »

Espinosa has been solid lately, hopefully he keeps it up.

Mr Clean · « **Reply #11:** July 22, 2012, 07:34:39 PM »

I'm guilty. I would have DFA'd the entire infield except for Zim.

BigMeech · « **Reply #12:** July 22, 2012, 08:00:46 PM »

Espinosa is a great defensive player and seems to be a good guy as well. If he can put it all together at the plate, we have a pretty good player on our hands.

Smithian · « **Reply #13:** July 22, 2012, 11:34:11 PM »

After the team proved us all wrong on Ian Desmond, I'll give them the benefit of the doubt on Danny Espinosa. I expect him to continue to be up and down this season but hopefully by next year he is a solid hitter. If he is even an average major league 2B bat (maybe a lot to ask, I don't know) you can combine that with his Gold Glove type defense and we're set there!!!

ZimW1N · « **Reply #14:** July 23, 2012, 12:54:50 AM »

I still think players should be sent back to the minors when they look as lost at the plate as Espinosa did during the first couple months of the season. I wasn't giving up on Espinosa but a playoff contending team is no place for a black hole at the plate.

mmzznnxx · « **Reply #15:** July 23, 2012, 01:38:58 AM »

His right-handed hitting has never been a problem, but his left-handed hitting has really been improving lately, in my opinion. Coincidentally, I think the same is true of Lombo from the right. Probably both will continue to get better as well. Couldn't come up with a gripe about Espi's defensive play if I tried.

Once an Expos Fan · « **Reply #16:** July 23, 2012, 08:18:46 AM »

When you have swag like Danny, it was only a matter of time.

hammondsnats · « **Reply #17:** July 23, 2012, 11:21:11 AM »

he was awful for most of the season, but this past month he's been awesome. he's an everyday guy right now absolutely.

Hogie · « **Reply #18:** July 23, 2012, 12:41:05 PM »

Does any site out there publish game logs broken down into RHB and LHB?

welch · « **Reply #19:** July 23, 2012, 12:45:53 PM »

Espi has established himself as a player.

NOW we'll be arguing about whether he has the range and arm that Desmond has. Ah, the changes. And makes me notice that the team will hurt badly if Lombo, Espi, or RZim need time off. A lot of depth in this Nats team, but, still...

Tyler Durden · « **Reply #20:** July 23, 2012, 12:58:08 PM »

Espinosa's low point was in early May when he had an OPS of .516. He's up to .722 now.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.cgi?id=espinda01&t=b&year=

aussienatsfan · « **Reply #21:** July 24, 2012, 09:28:17 AM »

Quote from: Hogie on July 23, 2012, 12:41:05 PM

Does any site out there publish game logs broken down into RHB and LHB?

I think I found it somewhere on fangraphs but it took me forever

Tyler Durden · « **Reply #22:** July 26, 2012, 08:13:16 AM »

Espinosa's OPS is now .738. His OPS last year was .737.

couchbum222 · « **Reply #23:** August 30, 2012, 02:24:02 PM »

Why is Espinosa still swinging the bat with Lombardozzi on this team? Espinosa couldn't get a hit to save his life. Lombo at 2nd wouldn't have any defensive drop off at all. .240 vs .280 Does anyone have any idea why Espinosa is still playing 2nd base?

Mattionals · « **Reply #24:** August 30, 2012, 02:40:47 PM »

Quote from: couchbum222 on August 30, 2012, 02:24:02 PM

Why is Espinosa still swinging the bat with Lombardozzi on this team? Espinosa couldn't get a hit to save his life. Lombo at 2nd wouldn't have any defensive drop off at all. .240 vs .280 Does anyone have any idea why Espinosa is still playing 2nd base?

No offense, but if you are just basing everything off of his K% and avg, baseball > you. B-R has Danny listed in at 2.1 WAR compared to Lombo's 0.7 WAR. fWAR 3.1 for Espi and 1.1 for Lombo with the questionable UZR stat.

Yes it's 537 PA to 379 PA but Lombo doesn't have nearly as large an impact bat as Espi does. Lombo could be a good leadoff hitter and plays quality D at 2B but right now both by UZR and total runs saved, Espi is playing GG caliber defense.

His bat plays, and he isn't going to be a high avg guy, but he can take a walk and when he connects, he usually makes some solid contact.