Chris Iannetta is hitting .188 this year, but it’s probably the most productive .188 in franchise history. Anyone that thinks Iannetta is having a bad season hasn’t been paying attention. His first month has been a lesson on the futility of batting average.
First and foremost, Iannetta has been walking like a mad man. His current base on balls percentage is almost 10% higher than his previous career high. In eighty-five plate appearances, he has just twelve hits, but he has nineteen walks. He has a .388 OBP, almost matching his career high .390 OBP from 2008. However, he hit .264 that year, almost 100 points higher than his batting average now.
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Iannetta is making his hits count. Of his twelve knocks this year, eight have been for extra bases, including four homeruns. His .453 slugging percentage is remarkable for such a low batting average. Also, his wRC+ is currently tied with his previous career best.
Right now, Iannetta has a .841 OPS. That is well above the league average for all position players and is considered outstanding for a catcher. Last year, the league average OPS for catchers was .686. To further put that in prospective, Joe Mauer had a .871 OPS last year.
Coming into this season, Iannetta was one of the Rox biggest question marks. So far, he’s been better than expected. In fact, he’s actually been one of the best catchers in baseball, trailing only the Yankees’ Russell Martin in overall WAR. That’s right. Our buck-eighty-eight hitting catcher is currently the second most valuable signal caller in baseball. Go figure.
Reportedly, San Francisco is interested in the Mets’ Jose Reyes. Let me just say this: I don’t want Jose Reyes playing for the Giants.
The Dodgers embattled owner, Frank McCourt, is going to take his fight with MLB to court. This is interesting. He’s going to sue MLB even though they’ll be taking care of his payroll this month. Everyone says that this Dodgers mess is bad for baseball. Personally, I can’t get enough of it.
Steve Rushin talks about the importance of athletes turning 44. Interesting piece.
Jon Heyman writes that Albert Pujols will likely stay a Cardinal. I’m betting this has more to do with their hot start than anything.
The SweetSpot takes a look at Greinke’s first start with the Brewers. I linked this article because the Brewers could be a contender this year.
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6 comments
Kenneth Boden
May 5, 2011 at 11:20 AM (UTC -6)
Ianneta has been surprisingly good this year. For a guy that’s constantly batting in the 8 hole, he’s been doing his job and doing it well; he’s making sure that the Rockies don’t start the next inning with the pitcher at bat. It’s good to see a league comparison and to see where he stacks up with the rest of his cohorts. I’m a little surprised to see him land so high up the chart given the Mauers and Poseys of baseball. So this has got to come as pleasant news for anyone who cares about Rockies Baseball.
I’m always glad to see a link to the Brewers. A group of Milwaukee fans mistook me for Mark Attanasio at a Rockies-Brewers spring training game this year. I assured them that I wasn’t the Brewers owner, but they bought me a beer anyway (a $7.00 beer, I might add). Brewers fans are OK by me.
Logan Burdine
May 5, 2011 at 11:38 AM (UTC -6)
Oh, if you met one of the Monforts, wouldn’t you expect them to buy you a beer?
Kenneth Boden
May 5, 2011 at 11:47 AM (UTC -6)
From the Monforts, I’d expect a side of beef…
To be honest, I’d buy Dick and Charley a beer. From the standpoint of Denver sports teams, the Monforts are currently the best owners we have.
Logan Burdine
May 5, 2011 at 11:56 AM (UTC -6)
Side of beef…haha
Agreed. Currently the best run franchise in Denver.
Logan Burdine
May 5, 2011 at 11:37 AM (UTC -6)
When I started digging for that info, I was expecting to find that his WAR ranked respectably. I was shocked to discover that he is damn near the best catcher in baseball. Fascinating.
Todd
May 9, 2011 at 9:11 AM (UTC -6)
It is always hard to find skillful people on that issue, but you seem like you no doubt know what you are posting on! With thanks