posted on Sunday, July 09, 2006 2:19 AM by Jim

Midseason Review: Jim Thome

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Something nice:  Jim Thome has made the Sox offense better by nearly one run per game.  One could say a lot more about him, but I think that number sums everything -- his power, his patience, his influence -- up nicely.

Must improve:  He's going to strike out, and that's not going to change.  But in the two times I can remember him facing a sidewinding lefty with runners on and less than two outs, he's struck out, and he didn't look good doing it.  Damaso Marte blew fastballs by him, while Javier Lopez junked him up.  Lefties in general give him a fair amount of trouble, but matchups alone don't stop him from putting together good at-bats.  Maybe sidearmers have a leg up on him, though.

Three best games

April 2
Thome homers in his first game as a White Sox, and against his old team, the Cleveland Indians.  Right away, we know we're in for a treat.

June 22
Anthony Reyes only made one mistake against the Sox all night long, and Thome made it count.  His solo shot broke up a no-hitter, provided the game's only run, and ensured a Sox sweep over the St. Louis Cardinals,

July 6
Thome hits a titanic grand slam off Russ Ortiz, then adds another big two-run shot later to drive in a season-high six runs. 
 
Three worst games

May 27
Thome goes 0-for-6 with three strikeouts during a one-run, extra-inning loss during the Toronto Blue Jays.

June 6
In a game against the Tigers, Thome strikes out twice with a runner on third and less than two outs.  Fortunately, Alex Cintron would bail him out.

June 25
Similar to his June 6 game, once again Thome goes 0-for-6 in an extra-inning, one-run loss.  This time, however, he strikes out four times.

Grades

Bat: A
Sure, he'll have his rough spots, and he looks susceptible to even average lefties, but it's hard to overstate the impact he's made in the lineup.  He takes the pressure off everybody else, and I don't think it's coincidental that the guys hitting behind him are having a career year. 

Running:  B-
Thome's slow, and he'll get doubled up a lot, but he always runs hard, and he doesn't run himself into outs.

Fielding:  Incomplete
He made a couple nice scoops during his starts at first base in interleague play, but a couple line shots got past him.  Either way, there's not enough here to fully form a grade.

Awards

Player of the Week, April 2-8

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