Follow The Prospects: Stephen Lombardozzi Jr, 2B

[HalfSmokes]

I'm guessing that traveling first class and with a big league salary doesn't hurt the confidence as much as  freezing ones ass off in Syracuse and the long bus rides and a particularly low "per diem".

CNY is actually pretty nice in spring and summer, at least there he'll get to play. I've never heard of promoting guys you expect to be regulars then sitting them on the bench until you can get rid of the current guy

[JCA-CrystalCity]

I'm guessing reply #161 to #174 can be moved to the Marrero ftp thread.

[cmdterps44]

I'm guessing reply #161 to #174 can be moved to the Marrero ftp thread.

a lot of posts in the past two pages could be.

[aspenbubba]

CNY is actually pretty nice in spring and summer, at least there he'll get to play. I've never heard of promoting guys you expect to be regulars then sitting them on the bench until you can get rid of the current guy

Except the season starts in April and May could be very cold also.

[hammondsnats]

if they don't sign a FA MI stud, then i'm okay with letting lombardozzi and desmond battle it out for starting SS (or 2B) and the other becoming utility. 

we still need to add another bat though.

[Slateman]

At worst, we have a switch hitting, slick fielding utility fielder

[welch]

At worst, we have a switch hitting, slick fielding utility fielder

A bit like Bixler? Only Bixler plays every position except catcher...have to admit I'm not thrilled by any switch-hitters, except Micky Mantle. Lombo has looked overwhelmed in September.

[UMDNats]

A bit like Bixler? Only Bixler plays every position except catcher...have to admit I'm not thrilled by any switch-hitters, except Micky Mantle. Lombo has looked overwhelmed in September.

Since getting his first major league hit, Lombo is 5 for 16 (.3125) and has just 28 ABs and only five starts. He's had to pinch-hit a bunch, something he doesn't normally do. He needs some regular at-bats, and he'll be fine.

[hammondsnats]

Since getting his first major league hit, Lombo is 5 for 16 (.3125) and has just 28 ABs and only five starts. He's had to pinch-hit a bunch, something he doesn't normally do. He needs some regular at-bats, and he'll be fine.

i agree i wanted to see more of him, but i don't fault davey for not removing espinosa/desmond. 

a while back, davey went on record saying he couldn't take espy out of the line-up because he loves watching him play (and that was when espinosa really went through a rough patch).

desmond was on fire in the second half and obviously they value his "leadership".

i think lombardozzi definitely has a future with this club.  if it's as an everyday player or super utility type, we'll see. 

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Ballsy thing right now would be to trade one of Deminosa for CF or #2/#3 starter in a package.  If that does not happen, Lombo goes back to Syracuse and rides a shuttle for a year.  This will be his first option year. 

I am still disappointed that we are likely to lose Antonelli.  I would have liked to have him in the utility role rather than Lombo.

[tomterp]

I am still disappointed that we are likely to lose Antonelli.  I would have liked to have him in the utility role rather than Lombo.

I would have liked to at least seen him for a few weeks back up in the majors. 

[imref]

Lombo wins the 2011 Minor League Rawlings Gold Glove Award for 2B.

[JMUalumni]

2011 Wrap Up

Harrisburg (AA) - 291 PA, 81 H, 12 2B, 7 3B, 4 HR, 23 RBI, .309/.366/.454, 16/19 SBA

Syracuse (AAA) - 325 PA, 91 H, 13 2B, 2 3B, 4 HR, 29 RBI, .310/.354/.408, 14/19 SBA

Washington (MLB) - 32 PA, 6 H, 1 2B, 1RBI, .194/.219/.226

Notes:

-  Lombardozzi now has 2001 PA in the minor leagues under his belt, in which he has hit .298/.369/.411

-  He looked overmatched in September and will have to make adjustments in order to stick with the club.  He only got 32 PAs with the ML squad and probably needs more at-bats to settle in.  He had some good at-bats during September and didn't change his approach at all from what he had doing in the minors, but the hits weren't falling.

-  He will in all likelihood be competing for a spot on the bench in spring training.  He probably represents some type of insurance to the team right now in the event that Desmond or Espinosa goes down with injury, but he could also be used as a piece in some type of trade the Nats put together this winter. 

-  It isn't clear if the Nationals want him up with the team contributing where he can or down at Syracuse playing everyday.  He could probably benefit from another 150-250 at-bats in the minors before he starts to carve out some type of permanent role on the team.

-  Lastly, if anyone missed this article on Lombardozzi, its a must read.  More of a puff piece than anything, but its a great story about how Lombo struck up a friendship with the son of Dernell Stenson, a former ball player who died in a carjacking (the 2009 AFL award named after him was awarded to Storen):

http://blog.syracuse.com/chiefs/2011/08/in_the_name_of_the_father_syra.html

[Lintyfresh85]

8. Steve Lombardozzi, 2B
DOB: 9/20/88
Height/Weight: 6-0/170
Bats/Throws: S/R
Drafted/Signed: 19th round, 2008, St. Petersburg College
2011 Stats: .309/.366/.454 at Double-A (65 G). .310/.354/.408 at Triple-A (69 G). .194/.219/.226 at MLB (13 G)
Tools Profile: Plus bat, but more fundamentals than true tools.

Year in Review: Classic grinder continued to hit at every level and made his big league debut.
The Good: Lombardozzi's bat stands out. He has a simple, quick swing from both sides and projects to hit .280-plus in the big leagues due to his ability to make consistent contact. The son of a big leaguer, he's a baseball rat who has been a role model to his minor league teammates for his energy and work ethic. He's not a flashy defender but makes every play he gets to at all three infield positions.
The Bad: Lombardozzi doesn't have much in the way of secondary skills. He's an aggressive hitter who looks to put the ball in play, but there is little power in his game or projection for any. He's an average runner but not a true base stealing threat.
Ephemera: Lombardozzi was born with clubfoot and had surgery at two months old while also wearing corrective shoes when he began walking.
Perfect World Projection: Second-division starter or good utility player.
Fantasy Impact: Limited because of a lack of power or stolen bases.
Path to the Big Leagues: Lombardozzi is big league ready, but his best hope in 2012 is to make the roster as a utility player.
ETA: 2012

From the 2012 Baseball Prospectus guide

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=15894

[HalfSmokes]

Sounds like a good guy - I really want him to succeed