posted on Monday, March 24, 2008 12:33 AM by Jim

Boone Logan

ESSENTIALS
2007 RECAP

Truth be told, I don't really remember much about Boone Logan's season.  For one, he wasn't as awful as everybody else, and he wasn't even the worst of his ilk, being the unorthodox, situational lefty.  That would go to Mike Myers.

Only two things jump out at me without going to my notes.  One is that I saw him pitch for Charlotte during a 35-degree day in Rochester, and he was called up shortly thereafter when Scott Podsednik made his first trip to the DL.  It was fun watching him warm up:



The other thing I remember about Logan is that when Myers was receiving his audition at the expense of those who paid to watch the team, Logan probably pitched his worst.   That scared me, because I'd hoped Booner would have enough success to convince Sox management that Myers' presence wasn't needed.  Fortunately, Myers pitched so poorly -- historically so, in fact -- that Logan enters the 2008 season as the only LOOGY on the team.

Logan just didn't do a lot of interesting things, because he tended to fail when everybody else did.  For instance:
Probably the most notable lowlight in Logan's 2008 season was the grand slam he allowed to Derrek Lee, capping off a six-run eighth inning that gave the Cubs an 11-6 win.  A runner-up was the gopher ball he served up to the .141-hitting Rondell White.  However, that turned out to be pretty cool in hindsight, as it set up the Sox's six-run comeback that night.

This is not to say Logan only brought bad news, but when none of the wins registered after May meant anything, the highlights are dimmed considerably.

GOOD SIGNS

No. 1:  He cut his walks.  Logan pitched like a rookie-baller in the majors in 2006, walking 15 in 17 innings.  He only walked 20 over 50 2/3 innings in 2007, which is still a bit high, but on the acceptable side of things.

No. 2:  Overall, he's retiring lefties.  His 2007 line against left-handed hitters: .221/.296/.291.  He did walk 10 batters in 60 plate appearances, and hopefully he'll attack more next year.

No. 3: His fastball got faster.  As noted last week, Logan saw his fastball jump from 89.8 m.p.h. to 92.8 m.p.h.  Theoretically, a lefty who throws that hard, with a good enough secondary pitch and a herky-jerky motion should be tough to hit... right?

BAD SIGNS

No. 1: He's not there yet against the biggest bats.  Logan looked like he had Justin Morneau figured out, retiring him four straight times in late-game situations to start the season.  But then Morneau crushed a three-run homer off him and added two singles, and so far he's got four hits in eight at-bats.  Travis Hafner is 3-for-3 off Logan, and he walked Grady Sizemore twice in five plate appearances.  Logan does have Curtis Granderson's number, but it's hard to find a lefty who can't get Granderson out.

No. 2:  Major liability against righties.  This should come as no surprise, but a .971 OPS for right-handed hitters is still pretty big, even for a guy on the wrong side of the matchup.

No. 3:  Confidence.  Yep, I know this is purely observational and anecdotal, but when he walks guys he was brought in specifically to face, I die a little inside.  Here's hoping he develops more of a killer instinct, because he should be death to lefties. 

2008 OUTLOOK

It'll be a good season if...

...Logan is death to lefties.

This is the third season of a very prolonged learning curve, so if he's ever going to sac up, this is the time.  His role will be even more important if Matt Thornton resembles his 2007 self instead of the '06 version, because Thornton had a harder time against lefties last year.  Logan could once again be the only guy -- not counting Bobby Jenks -- who could be counted upon to retire a lefty in a close and late situation.

PROJECTIONS

Boone Logan
 G
 W-L
 IP
 SV
 H
 HR BB K ERA
 WHIP
2008 ZiPS
 70
 2-2
 63
 n/a
 67 8 28 46 4.86 1.51
2008 BJH
 71
 3-4 56 0 58
 6
 25
 53
 4.82
 1.48
2008 JCM
 71
 2-3
 54
 0 60 6
 20 42 3.99 1.48

Comments