2013 IPP: John Buck

[Benjamin Grimm]

What's an IPP? In 2011 we called it "Expectations of Eleven". In 2012 it was "You Make the Call". I figured it's time to make this a tradition, and to grant it a TLA. (Three-letter acronym.) IPP stands for "Individual Player Prediction".

What do you expect of John Buck this year?

[seawolf17]

.260/10/30 in about 250 AB.

[Benjamin Grimm]

I like what I've seen of him. Not on the field, but in interviews and stuff. I think he'll be a great mentor to a young pitching staff, and hopefully to Travis d'Arnaud as well. He seems like future manager material, and maybe sooner rather than later.

I don't know how much to expect from him on the field. He'll hit some homers, provide nice defense behind the plate. I'll say that he'll bat 7th, hit about .240, and give way to d'Arnaud in late June. Afterwards he'll remain as the backup catcher.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Yeah I know what they say about lineups and all but I'm still optimistic that the threat of his power improves the opportunities for those hitting in front of him. I think it represents good potential anyway, certainly better than the threat Thole or Nickeas represented which really did kill so many scoring opportunities last year.

The nice thing is, he's under at least some pressure to sing for his supper with D'Arnaud coming sooner or later.

8-33-235/290/395 in ~250 trips (~175 B.T, ~75 A.T)

[DocTee]

One guy I'm higher on that most:

.270/13/65

[Lefty Specialist]

Can't hit and will be mercifully replaced by d'Arnaud in mid-June.

.220/10/30.

[Vic Sage]

I don't know why he'd hit better here than he did anywhere else.
He'll hit .235/10hrs, and become the backup after d'Arnaud comes up. Which is still better than what we had.

[ashie62]

Strikes out 1 in 3 times with some pop..

.215 7 37

[Ceetar]

.250/.315/.400 over 85 games.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

I have a weird feeling he goes on a Throbby early-season run, keeping d'Arnaud down for a little longer than the Mets may have planned... then, y'know, he starts feeling gravity's pull.

305 PAs, .235/.280/.429, 13 HR, 37 RBI, 30 R, 27 XBH

[metirish]

Christ , everytime I open the forum my mind sees RIP in front of the players name.

[Edgy MD]

Yeah, my dyslexia has killed a lot of Mets today, also.

[Fman99]

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr wrote: I have a weird feeling he goes on a Throbby early-season run, keeping d'Arnaud down for a little longer than the Mets may have planned... then, y'know, he starts feeling gravity's pull. 305 PAs, .235/.280/.429, 13 HR, 37 RBI, 30 R, 27 XBH

How Barajasian of him.

[TransMonk]

Buck's IPP had fallen back to Page 9...

He's done as much this first week as I had expected out of him in all of April.

Keep it up Buck!

[Benjamin Grimm]

I suspect that he may not be able to keep it up, but he's on a pace to hit 90 home runs this season.

Travis who???

[Guest vtmet]

Benjamin Grimm wrote: I suspect that he may not be able to keep it up, but he's on a pace to hit 90 home runs this season. Travis who???

I'm really surprised by the opposite field power that Buck has...it's kind of like what David Wright used to have (which apparently was buried with Shea Stadium)...

If Ike don't get his shit together, Travis d' might pull a Buster Posey and spend part of his rookie season at first base...by the way, Posey didn't play 1st in the minors until he played 12 games at AAA at 1st just before his 2010 promotion to the majors...Travis d' played a couple games at 1st last season for the 51's in Vegas...

[Edgy MD]

Could probably use the help more in the outfield, but I doubt he's up to that.

[nymr83]

When do the MVP chants start.

[Zvon]

How can I make a prediction now? He's already surpassed anything I expected from him.

[Guest vtmet]

vtmet wrote: I suspect that he may not be able to keep it up, but he's on a pace to hit 90 home runs this season. Travis who??? I'm really surprised by the opposite field power that Buck has...it's kind of like what David Wright used to have (which apparently was buried with Shea Stadium)... If Ike don't get his shit together, Travis d' might pull a Buster Posey and spend part of his rookie season at first base...by the way, Posey didn't play 1st in the minors until he played 12 games at AAA at 1st just before his 2010 promotion to the majors...Travis d' played a couple games at 1st last season for the 51's in Vegas...

According to Adam Rubin's Twitter, the Mets are already considering playing both Travis d' and Buck at the same time...

Follow Adam RubinVerified account ?@AdamRubinESPN If John Buck continues to produce and Travis d'Arnaud up in 2nd half, TC can see both on field at same time--maybe Buck periodically at 1B.

[duan]

I know it wasn't as dramatic, but I really can't get Rod Barajas out of my head.
Lets get through May and see where he is before we worry about it and lets see where the mets are in July before we worry about whether or not we could trade him.

[Guest vtmet]

duan wrote: I know it wasn't as dramatic, but I really can't get Rod Barajas out of my head. Lets get through May and see where he is before we worry about it and lets see where the mets are in July before we worry about whether or not we could trade him.

in fairness to Buck...the only attribute that Barajas had was his power... I don't think anyone really expects more than a .250 batting average from him on the season, but he's got good power, he catches well, throws decently, calls a good game, and while not a speedster, he's not your typical turtle catcher on the basepaths...I doubt that he'll lead the team in any offensive category when it's said and done, but he has had 3 seasons with more than 15 Homeruns; 7 seasons with 15+ doubles; and 7 seasons with 40+ RBI (which isn't altogether that impressive, but for a Mets catcher in recent years is above average)...

and while I don't think that Ike will suck all season long; Ike's "career" splits vs LHP is: .214 average; .639 OPS...so, both Buck/Travis occasionally vs LHP could be an improvement over that...