fullcountpitch.com

By Gary Armida

…or in Chicago or LA. With pennant races heating up, the bottom feeders of each division are starting to fade from our consciousness. Unfortunately, players having good seasons, breakout seasons, or even great seasons will fail to register on most fans’ radars. So, today, let’s take a break from those headline hogging good players on good teams. Let’s shine a spotlight on those ignored players having good seasons on terrible teams. To make our top six (the top five is done all the time, so we strive to be better), a player must be having a good (or breakout) year on a team that is more than 10 games under .500 for the season heading into Monday’s games.  Sadly, there are plenty of teams that fulfill that requirement with seven teams that far under the .500 mark, with several more closing in on the infamous mark. Without further adieu, here are the six players who comprise the FCP, “Good Player…Bad Team” roster.

Kelly Shoppach, Catcher: Cleveland Indians 48-62

The FCP preseason pick to win the World Series, the Cleveland Indians have been the most disappointing team in baseball. With a variety of reasons, such as injuries and severe underperformance, the Tribe has gone from contender to basement dweller. Of course, Grady Sizemore could’ve been selected here, but he is already a superstar so we’ll look a bit deeper. When Victor Martinez went down with an injury, Kelly Shoppach, the 28 year old backup catcher, was finally given a shot at the every day job. So far, he’s done well. In 210 at bats he is hitting .276/.431/.533 with 12 homeruns and 33 RBI. Shoppach is the former Red Sox top prospect who was shipped to Cleveland for Coco Crisp in January 2006. Because he was behind Victor Martinez, one of the best offensive catchers in the game, Shoppach saw limited duty as the backup. This year, he is getting the opportunity to play. If he continues with his stellar play, the Indians will have a few options. They could trade their new found asset when Victor Martinez proves healthy as many teams are looking for a solid starting catcher. Or, most desirably, they can keep Shoppach behind the plate and make Victor Martinez, a poor defensive catcher, their first baseman. The AL leader in homeruns at the catching position is making quite a name this season. Sadly, the Indians’ poor performance has somewhat quelled Shoppach’s great year.   

Brandon Morrow, Pitcher: Seattle Mariners 42-69

The 23 year old flame thrower has finally realized his vast potential during the 2008 season for the lowly Mariners. He started the year in middle relief, but ascended to the closer role after JJ Putz went on the disabled list. Projected as a solid starting pitcher, Morrow will soon begin a minor league assignment to stretch out to finish the season as a starting pitcher. So far, Morrow has thrown 36.2 innings, given up just 18 hits, saved 10 games, and struck out 47 batters. All of this adds up to a 1.47 ERA. Control has been the issue for the young pitcher, but he has walked a reasonable 15 batters so far. With JJ Putz working his way back to full strength, the Mariners will be wisely moving Morrow back into the rotation. He has dominant stuff and could be a top of the rotation starter if he can rein in that control (think a step or two below Joba Chamberlain). Morrow has two things working against him even though he is having a great season. One, he plays in Seattle where anyone outside of Ichiro is automatically undervalued. Two, he plays for Seattle, who is battling the Nationals and Padres for the worst record in baseball.

Chris Iannetta, Catcher: Colorado Rockies 51-62

If this article was written a week later it is very possible that Iannetta would not have qualified because the Rockies are one of the hottest teams in baseball. One of the reasons for the Rockies’ resurgence is the 25 year old catcher. Iannetta has been a prospect for a couple of seasons, but has finally seized control of the Rockies’ backstop job. Starting the year as a backup, Iannetta surpassed starter Yorvit Torreabla early in the season. When the Rockies were struggling, it was Iannetta providing offense to keep the Rockies in games. In just 209 at bats, Iannetta is hitting .273/.381/.526 with 12 homeruns and 46 RBI. He ranks 3^rd in the National League in homeruns by a catcher as well as 6^th in RBI as a catcher. Because of the Rockies poor start, Iannetta has flown under the radar. Out of everyone on this list, he has the best opportunity to be recognized as the Rockies are still in the race for the poor NL West division crowd.

Jonathan Sanchez, Pitcher: San Francisco Giants

Many people will focus on Tim Lincecum or Matt Cain when it comes to the Giants pitching staff. Unfortunately, that discussion usually focuses on the lack of run support that each pitcher receives. Another pitcher who is starting to breakout in 2008 is the hard throwing left hander, Jonathan Sanchez. The 25 year old has started 22 games and has an 8-7 record. In 123 innings, he’s given up 115 hits while striking out 126. Control is an issue as he has doled out 63 free passes. This leads to an inflated ERA of 4.61. His best month was June when he went 5-1 with a 3.10 ERA. Consistency will be an issue that will prevent a true breakout as Sanchez has been stellar in April and June, but awful in May and July (5.20 and 8.57 ERA in each month). Sanchez’s performance is really on par with the likes of division leading pitchers like Kyle Kenrick, Javier Vasquez, Ted Lilly, or the Twins’ pair of Kevin Slowey and Glen Perkins. Average pitching on good teams gets you a big contract. A 4.61 ERA on a last place team keeps you on a last place team. Look for the lefty to continue his development and allow the Giants to boast a tremendous, lights out pitching staff.

John Lannan, Pitcher: Washington Nationals

Perhaps there is no more frustrating major league baseball job than being a starting pitcher for the Washington Nationals. Because of Jim Bowden’s team making skills, the Nationals will have, at any given point, four catchers, 11 outfielders, and one infielder. While that may be hyperbole as its finest, you get the point. Exhibit A is the 23 year old lefty starter, John Lannan. In his 21 starts, Lannan has thrown 124.2 innings, given up 123 hits, walked 43, and struck out 73. His 3.61 ERA and 1.332 WHIP portray a pitcher who is having a great season. Because he plays for the poor Nationals and is not a big strikeout pitcher, he is often glanced over because of his 6-11 record, a product of team more than performance. With young pitchers like Matt Garza and Joe Saunders rightfully getting high praise for their performances despite average strikeout rates, Lannan is getting ignored because of his win-loss record despite pitching as well. He is the poster child for good player being buried on a bad team.

Adrian Gonzalez, First Baseman: San Diego Padres

Gonzalez is the one guy on this list that is already an all-star. This season he is hitting .279/.355/.514 with 26 homeruns and 83 RBI. With a tremendous glove, Gonzalez is already a superstar. The problem is that nobody knows him because of his location, his poor team, and stars like Albert Pujols and Lance Berkman playing the same position. Make no mistake; Gonzalez is a great player, improving his offensive output in each of his three fulltime seasons. Last year, he had 30 homeruns and 100 RBI. Obviously, he is well ahead of that pace for 2008. His offensive numbers are even more impressive considering he plays half of his games in one of the best pitcher’s parks in baseball. This season he ranks 2^nd amongst National League first basemen in homeruns and RBI and fifth in slugging percentage. With numbers like that, one would figure that Gonzalez would be marketed as one of the young stars of the game. Because he’s on the West Coast and the fact that the Padres tend to be forgotten (hey Tony Gywnn never got his proper due), Gonzalez’s superior performance will be missed by most fans.

Closing Thoughts

It’s natural in sports to forget about the excellence of players on teams that lack media coverage or a true pennant race. Baseball is no different. These are just six of the many great players who don’t make the headlines every day because they don’t play in New York, Chicago, or Los Angeles.