posted on Monday, March 31, 2008 2:26 AM by Jim

Carlos Quentin

ESSENTIALS
2007 RECAP

An injury to Carlos Quentin's non-throwing shoulder basically derailed his sophomore campaign before it even began.  He suffered a small tear in his labrum after an awkard swing during spring training, and it knocked him off course the rest of the year.

He received regular playing time despite his struggles for most of the year -- when he left the Diamondbacks' Aug. 1 game early with a hamstring injury, he was only hitting .208/.297/.343, and that DL stay allowed Justin Upton to usurp him in the outfield.  He didn't start another game for the rest of the season.

He had surgery on the labrum in early October, and his rehab was on schedule, but Quentin didn't blame his injury for his poor 2007.  He did say the stress it caused led him to undergo mental coaching, though.

GOOD SIGNS

1. HBP! HBP!.  Quentin was plunked 11 times in 263 plate appearances, which helped keep his OBP above Juan Uribe's despite batting only .214.  As he proved in the minor leagues, taking one for the team is a major part of his game.

2. He improved over the course of the spring.  Quentin finished the spring hitting .310, with six of his 13 hits for extra bases, after striking out five times in his first 12 at-bats.

3. He can still throw.  Quentin would improve the artillery in the Sox's outfield greatly from either corner outfield position.

BAD SIGNS

1.  He hasn't hit yet.  Quentin hasn't learned how to handle major-league pitching yet, which isn't good coming to Chicago, as Greg Walker only helps those who help themselves.  Like Zoidberg Jesus.

2008 OUTLOOK

It'll be a good season if...

...Quentin finally has a breakout season.  If not now, then when?

Expecting his minor-league line -- .313/.413/.527 -- would be ridiculous, especially since most of that was achieved in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League.  But since he did manage an .872 OPS in his first 166 big-league at-bats, it would be greatly disappointing if he failed to clear .800.

Quentin is probably more capable than that, but considering what the Sox have trotted out to left field in recent years, .800 would be fine.  That's if he gets enough playing time, of course.

PROJECTIONS

Carlos Quentin
 AB HR RBI
 BA
 OBP SLG OPS
2007 ZiPS
 418
 13
 60 .249 .342
 .428 .770
2007 PECOTA
 365
 11
 44 .263 .349 .439 .788
2007 JCM
 333
 12
 48 .266 .344 .451 .795

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