Sox Machine: Chicago White Sox blog

Midseason Review: Pablo Ozuna

AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BA	OBP	SLG	SB	CS
92	18	38	5	1	1	13	.413	.449	.522	5	5

Something nice:  Pablo Ozuna has certainly living up to his nickname -- The Secret Weapon -- this season.  Somehow, he managed to carry an OPS of 1.000+ for most of the first half before slowly returning to Earth the last week or so.  He's a fun ballplayer to watch, and he's keyed some big moments for the Sox this season.

Must improve:  Defying gravity and/or defense.  One of these has to kick in for Ozuna to be half as valuable in the second half as he was in the first.  He's either going to have to keep hitting at this absurd rate, or he's going to have to be put in situations that he's comfortable in defensively.  He might be the only one who looks worse in left than Scott Podsednik.  Ozuna's stolen base percentage is also lackluster, but considering he's a human energy ball, there's no way to really rein him in.

Highlights

May 3
Or, by its other name, the Pablo Ozuna Game.

May 22
After committing an error in left that nearly leads to a run for Oakland, Ozuna comes back with a walk-off, two-out...bunt single.  He saw an opening, and he laid one down masterfully between the pitcher's mound.  He beat it out, the run crossed the plate, and the Sox won 5-4.

June 15
The most Ozuna-like game of them all.  He had three hits that combined to travel about 185 feet, including a two-run infield single.  He also had to scramble back to third after missing the bag while scoring on a double, was thrown out trying to steal third, and made a nice diving catch in left.  You gotta love the guy.
 
Lowlights

April 7
Ozuna misplays three balls in left that lead to Royals runs as the Sox blow a six-run lead during a windy night.  His counterpart, the stone-handed Kansas City outfielder Emil Brown, managed to have a flawless night out there.

April 24
The Secret Weapon self-destructs when, after singling with two outs in the bottom of the ninth, is thrown out trying to steal second on the first pitch to the following batter, Tadahito Iguchi.  The Sox go on to lose the game..

July 9
The beginning of the end?  In the bottom of the 17th, with runners on first and second and one out, Ozuna hits a weak chopper right on top of third base.  Mike Lowell steps on the bag while catching the ball, then fires to first to complete the 5-3 double play.

Grades

Bat: A-
He couldn't possibly do any more.

Running:  B-
Ozuna is one of those guys who make both the home and away fans nervous when he's on the bases.  He has game-changing speed and aggressiveness, but sometimes it can change the game for the worse.

Fielding:  D
He's not a left fielder, and I don't think he'll turn into one any time soon.  He's game for going out there, but hopefully Anderson solidifying his spot in center will give Mackowiak more time in left, and let Ozuna return to the infield. 

Awards

Super Sub, June 11-17
Super Sub, May 7-13
Super Sub, April 30-May 6
Super Sub, April 23-29
Super Scrub, April 2-8