Jered Weaver: Weaver will have his next start pushed back 3 days after injuring his hand while trying to get up off the bench in the Coamerica Park dugout. After bursting onto the scene in 2006, 11-2 with a 2.56 ERA, Weaver has not developed into the ace that some predicted 10-10 with a 4.42 ERA. An 82% strand rate and .187 BHIP% in 2006 created some unrealistic expectations. In reality, Weaver is a solid starter, 7.5 K/9 and a 2.7 BB/9, whose extreme fly ball tendencies, 46% FB%, will lead to a high amount of home runs.
Taylor Teagarden: With Jarrod Saltalamacchia done for the season, the Rangers announced that Gerald Laird and Teagarden will split catching duties the rest of the way. Despite hitting 2 home runs in his first 11 major league AB, Teagarden is not close to being ready offensively, 7/16/.225 in 187 Triple-A AB. He has had problems making contact at every level in the minor leagues, 68% Ct% in Triple-A this year, and the major leagues have been no exception, 5 K’s in 11 PA.
Melvin Mora: Mora, who has missed the last week with a strained hamstring, is out until at least Monday. At the age of 36, Mora is experiencing a power rebirth, 23 home runs and 27 doubles in 477 AB vs. 14 home runs and 23 doubles in 467 AB last year. Given his age and declining FB%, 2005/2006/2007/2008 #’s of 45%/41%/42%/37%, don’t count on the power continuing into next season, but if he is healthy, enjoy it for the rest of this season.
Jack Cust: Most of Cust’s numbers are very similar between last year and this year; 2006/2007 AB’s of 395/408, home runs of 26/25, doubles of 18/13, BB%’s of 21%/18%, and Ct%’s of 58%/59%. Besides the minor power drop off, the difference between his .256 batting average last year and .228 average this year is a variance in his BHIP%, 2007/2008 #’s of .301/.272. That is the problem with a player who makes such poor contact, even if he has awesome power, there is such a razor thin margin between having an acceptable and being a liability in the batting average department.
Brandon Boggs: It has been a mixed bag for Boggs in his rookie season. He has shown good power, 8 home runs and 16 doubles in 257 AB, and an ability to take a walk, 14% BB%. However with poor contact skills, 68% Ct%, he is a liability in the batting average category, .233 for the year.
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