A Big Thole in the Middle of the Lineup

[Guest Edgy DC]

Josh Thole's slash stats at Buffalo: .143 / .250 / .171 // .421.

Only 40 plate appearances, but Mama, that's some kind of reality check.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

I guess. But y'said it yourself-- 40 PA is a statistically insignificant slump.

Even primary statistical measures like swing percentage and contact rate-- "I do this" stats-- don't apparently stabilize at 40 PA, much less secondary/tertiary stuff-- "I do this, the opposing player does this, and this results" type stats-- like OBP and SLG.

The thing to worry about is that he's got so much of his value concentrated in that one skill-- hitting for average/contact. It makes him a lot more dicey than your average fast-track "high-level" prospect.

[Benjamin Grimm]

Josh Thole's slash stats at Buffalo: .143 / .250 / .171 // .421.

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

They're not booing, Joshie, they're just saying "BOOOOOOth of our catchers are kind of terrible." (Omir's hitting .188, and OPSing .500 his short-swinging self.)

[Guest Edgy DC]

I don't think it's very significant either. It's just that the veteran-weary fans calling for the kids are never willing to eat it when the farmed out kid makes it clear he wasn't quite ready to perform, even as they trump 40 good at-bats as evidence if it swings the other way.

I mean, Nick Evans?