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Jason Botts was designated for assignment on 4/29, so this is not breaking news, but I think we need to question this move analytically.
- Botts has hit for over a .300 AVG in the minor leagues, including two excellent full seasons in 2004 (24 HR, 92 RBI) and 2005 (25 HR, 102 RBI).
- Botts has nothing left to prove in the minors.
- Botts has not performed at the same level in the majors (.231 AVG, .669 OPS).
- Botts has only 282 AB at the major-league level, spread over the past 4 seasons.
Now, there are two problems with concluding that Botts cannot hit at the highest level:
- Too small of a sample size. It is very common for players to slump for significant parts of a season and 282 at bats is equivalent to only about half of a typical player's season.
- No consistent playing time. Botts' 282 career at bats are spread over four seasons.
I'm not trying to say that I know Jason Botts will become the next great power hitter, but I do know that he has tons of potential and has not been given a real opportunity to prove himself with the big club.
Given Botts' potential, his minimum salary, Broussard's inconsistency at the plate, and the fact that the Rangers organization never expected to contend this season, why wouldn't they make Botts the everyday 1B and give him some consistent playing time to determine if he's going to live up to his potential?
I'm certain the Rangers front office has analyzed these scenarios much more than I have and are doing what they think is best for the organization, but I believe Botts deserved a little more consideration.
Baseball Jones ~~ Hustling since 1980
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