Can Orlando Hudson carry over this success into 2007?
The wiry second baseman set career highs in every major offensive category
last year despite that slow start. But a closer examination reveals that
2006 was not necessarily a breakout year for Hudson. Let's compare his
2005 road stats to his 2006 ones:
| |
AB |
HR |
RBI |
AVG |
OBP |
SLG |
| 2005- Away |
273 |
8 |
32 |
.254 |
.313 |
.421 |
| 2006- Away |
237 |
6 |
36 |
.287 |
.320 |
.418 |
There was only a 4 point difference between O-Dog's road OPS last year and
his road OPS from two seasons ago. The difference between the two seasons
lies in how he performed at home. Roger's Centre is a hitter's park in its
own right, but one that mostly favors home run hitters. Chase Field gives
batters the same edge in home runs, but also gives a greater advantage to line
drive hitters like Hudson. Perhaps Hudson took a while to get acclimated
to the dry desert air and the nuances of a new ballpark.
More likely, he needed to acclimate himself to the National League.
Hudson was used to always having a decent batter hitting behind him with the
Blue Jays. National League teams do not always provide that luxury.
Orlando Hudson received 157 at bats with a pitcher batting behind him in the #8
lineup spot. In that role, he hit just .219 with two homers and twelve
RBI.
Clearly, Hudson would be better suited to another spot in the lineup.
Although he was hitless in his three starts as a leadoff hitter last season,
Hudson nevertheless batted .300 with 12 walks and only 13 strikeouts when
leading off an inning. With the Diamondbacks still lacking an obvious
choice for leadoff hitter, don't be surprised if Hudson gets a chance to
contribute in that role from time to time.
In the end, whatever Orlando Hudson contributes on offense is a bonus, as he
and Chase Utley are the only contenders for the title of baseball's best
defensive second baseman. But considering that his increased offensive
output last season was mostly a result of a fantastic hitter's ballpark, the
29-year old Hudson may still have a further breakout with the bat left in him.
If that happens, O-Dog will have emerged as one of the most valuable players in
the game today.
Read more from Keith Glab at
BaseballEvolution.com