Miguel Tejada: The Anti-TTO Player
October 6th, 2009 | by Daniel Moroz |The Three True Outcomes are a walk, strikeout or home run. You often hear about these TTO guys, like Adam Dunn, Jack Cust, Carlos Pena, and Russell Branyon, but less well known are the anti-TTO guys. And nobodies been less of a Three True Outcomes batter this year than Miguel Tejada. I took a look at Miggy’s interesting season over at MLB Notebook. An excerpt’s below; click through for the full version.
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“Tejada has never been a big walker, with his career high of 66 coming way back in 2000. In his years with the Orioles it was in the 40s every year, and after he was traded to Houston he drew only 24 base on balls. Miggy took it to new lows in 2009, walking just 19 times. His minuscule 2.9% walk rate was the second lowest in baseball (amongst qualified batters), with only perennial free-swinger Bengie Molina ahead of him at 2.6%.
Tejada also cut his already low strike-out rate to just 7.6% (48 K’s in 635 AB), which was third in baseball behind Dustin Pedroia and Placido Polanco. Taking out his 14 home runs, Miggy’s plate appearances ended with a ball in play a league leading 88% of the time. You know, he likes to keep the opposing defense on their toes.
When you’re putting the ball in play that much you’ve got a fair chance to hit for a good average, and Tejada was 15th in baseball with his .313 mark. No walks meant his OBP wasn’t much higher at .340, but he did knock out 46 doubles to get his SLG up to .455. Though his defense at short wasn’t great (-12.7 runs relative to average according to UZR), his bat bouncing back after a rough 2008 (.283/.314/.415) kept his value up at 2.7 Wins Above Replacement.”
Tags: Miguel Tejada, MLB Notebook
By John on Oct 17, 2009
If the price is right and Miggy is willing to move to third to accomodate Cesar Isturis, Tejada would be a good player for the Orioles to consider signing to a short term deal, say for 2010 with an option for 2011. There’s no assurance that Josh Bell’s going to be ready, even late in the season and his maturation process may take through mid ‘11, so having a dependable bat at third is important. No, Tejada’s not the power threat of old and we know the O’s would like to have a slugger, but there’s something to be said for a .300+ hitter with plus gap power and doesn’t strike out very much.
By frostking on Oct 17, 2009
The important part is “if the price is right”. If he comes cheaply enough then certainly he’d be an option for third-base for the O’s next year. I’d certainly be happy to see him back.