[DC 86]

[quote="Phogge" pid='356219' dateline='1655300519']
 I am excited about Slater.  He's probably the Giants' best outfielder.  He's very fast and knows how to run:  career 30 stolen bases in 33 attempts.  Pretty darned good, I'd say.  OBP of .365, good for #30 in all of MLB, were he to have enough AB's. He's a solid leadoff hitter, would be on pace to score 100 runs -- again, if he had the at bats.  Second highest OBP on the Giants after Yaz among the regulars and semi-regulars.  Highest number of walks per plate appearance, higher even than Belt or Yaz.  I think he's a terrific player.

Slater is a useful, versatile player who is especially valuable to the Giants given the way that they like to mix and match and deploy the roster. But every mention of "if he had the at-bats" ignores the fact that if he had the at-bats his rate numbers would be worse, because the Giants optimize how and when they use him. He has an extreme platoon split over his career: a healthy 278/369/468 (125 OPS+) vs LHP and a terrible 225/313/335 (76 OPS+) vs RHP.

He's actually 33-36 in his career in SB, but stealing one base a month doesn't move the needle. Still, a guy who can play multiple positions, hit LHP well, pinch hit and pinch run, is useful to have in these days of short benches, even though his numbers would take a big hit if he were playing every day and getting 600 plate appearances in a season, instead of being used selectively as he is.

[DC 86]

[quote="Phogge" pid='356219' dateline='1655300519']
 I am excited about Slater.  He's probably the Giants' best outfielder.  He's very fast and knows how to run:  career 30 stolen bases in 33 attempts.  Pretty darned good, I'd say.  OBP of .365, good for #30 in all of MLB, were he to have enough AB's. He's a solid leadoff hitter, would be on pace to score 100 runs -- again, if he had the at bats.  Second highest OBP on the Giants after Yaz among the regulars and semi-regulars.  Highest number of walks per plate appearance, higher even than Belt or Yaz.  I think he's a terrific player.

Slater is a useful, versatile player who is especially valuable to the Giants given the way that they like to mix and match and deploy the roster. But every mention of "if he had the at-bats" ignores the fact that if he had the at-bats his rate numbers would be worse, because the Giants optimize how and when they use him. He has an extreme platoon split over his career: a healthy 278/369/468 (125 OPS+) vs LHP and a terrible 225/313/335 (76 OPS+) vs RHP.

He's actually 33-36 in his career in SB, but stealing one base a month doesn't move the needle. Still, a guy who can play multiple positions, hit LHP well, pinch hit and pinch run, is useful to have in these days of short benches, even though his numbers would take a big hit if he were playing every day and getting 600 plate appearances in a season, instead of being used selectively as he is.