So far this September, Scott Podsednik has at least one hit in every game. He's reaching base every other time up.
And, in the last thread, some of you are less than thrilled. So, a couple of questions:
No. 1: What more does Scott Podsednik have to do for you to stop rooting against him?
I realize many of you aren't cursing every single, but his out-of-nowhere production raises concerns that the Sox will retain him and expect the unsustainable.
I'm offically an agnostic who is susceptible to frustration and elation. What he's doing this year is supremely cool, even though shows less awareness than my cousin's late dog when he's on the basepaths.
No. 2: The bigger fluke: Podsednik's production or Carlos Quentin's health in 2006?
Joe Cowley's story reiterates something that has been said about Quentin since returning from the DL:
Obstacle No. 1 is the physical part. Quentin revealed that while the left foot that gave him trouble most of the season likely won’t need surgery, it led to damage in the knees that may.
“My health is something I need to take into consideration in the offseason, something I’m going to have to really address and stress,’’ Quentin admitted.
Podsednik may not be a good bet to replicate his 113 games last year, but there's even less reason to believe that Carlos Quentin will be able to replicate his 130 games from two years ago. He hasn't been healthy at the major-league level before or since, while Podsednik at least has recency on his side.
It certainly doesn't help that Podsednik has a higher OPS than Quentin, either.
It'll take weeks -- probably months -- before I make up my mind on Podsednik, but right now I'm thinking a Podsednik/Quentin well-being-based platoon makes a fair amount of sense. We'll see if I change my mind tomorrow.
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Minor league roundup:
- Jacksonville 4, Birmingham 2
- John Ely was decent in defeat: 6 IP, 3 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 6 K.
- Henry Mabee and John Lujan threw 1-2-3 innings, with Lujan striking out two.
- Jordan Danks (one strikeout) and Dayan Viciedo (two strikeouts) each went 0-for-4.
- C.J. Retherford went 1-for-4 with an RBI; Christian Marrero drew a walk in four plate appearances.
- Great Falls 6, Billings 3
- Nick Ciolli doubled twice and drove in two runs, adding his 23rd steal as well.
- Trayce Thompson went 1-for-2 with two walks and a strikeout.
- Ryan Hamme doubled and drove in three.
- Jimmy Ballinger allowed two runs on four hits (including a homer) over five innings, striking out four.
