Mike Napoli performance thread.

[SCM33]

Is Mike Napoli starting to play himelf out of the lineup? He doesn't hit for enough power or get on base enough to equal out all the strikeouts and s***** at bats in the middle of the lineup.

 

Are they better off with a rotation of Carp, Nava and Gomes between 1B and LF rather than having Napoli in the lineup everyday at 1B?

[RedSoxfanforlife305]

Rotation of Carp, Nava and Gomes > Napoli everyday

 

I don't care how much he's making, it's just disgusting watching him at the plate. They should avoid using him as much as they can, until he gets into some kind of grove.

 

I posted this in the game thread today, but in the last 15 games he has 23 K's and 42 LOB. He's a number 5 hitter, it's killing the team. Napoli probably couldn't hit a beach ball if he wanted to.

[Jasonbay44]

Napoli has been absolutely terrible lately and strikes out way too much. His average has dipped below .250 and his OPS is under .800. I really hope we let him go in off-season and move in a different direction.

 

Edit: At this point, he's gotten so ridiculously bad, they need to at the very least platoon him with Carp.

Edited August 12, 2013 by Jasonbay44

[BSN07]

Mike Napoli is playing like a RH Adam Dunn less the power... I really hope he gets into some kind of groove soon.

[a700hitter]

Mike Napoli is playing like a RH Adam Dunn less the power... I really hope he gets into some kind of groove soon.

His bat looks extremely slow at times. Maybe he should try a lighter bat.

[BSN07]

His bat looks extremely slow at times. Maybe he should try a lighter bat.

 

Some days I swear there is a parachute tied to it

[a700hitter]

Some days I swear there is a parachute tied to it

Good description. Is that what they call those fan like things that are put on the bat to cause wind resistance when taking practice swings?

[sk7326]

He's in a slump - the .340 OBP is sort of holding the value up a bit, and that he has done a nice job at 1B. But I'd expect more "days off" if this continues.

[marklmw]

Carp's numbers are not bad considering he has few at-bat's and he has not been hitting in the 5 spot. I would give him a couple of starts.

[seabeachfred]

All true my friends but what if I told you that I think Napoli is going to heat up within the next two weeks? I have a hunch he is ready to make a big move with the bat, but just to play it safe get him out of the No. 5 hole until he gets really going again.

[MJantomaso]

Me no like Napoli. Me like Carp.

[SCM33]

He's in a slump - the .340 OBP is sort of holding the value up a bit, and that he has done a nice job at 1B. But I'd expect more "days off" if this continues.

 

.340 OBP is not very good when you are hitting 14 home runs and striking out 155 times in the middle of the lineup.

[Bellhorn04]

I don't even know what to say about Naps at this point except hope. When he connects it's a thing of beauty. But he's been swishing with such force lately that he could probably be harnessed as a power source for a small town.

[sk7326]

.340 OBP is not very good when you are hitting 14 home runs and striking out 155 times in the middle of the lineup.

 

Homeruns have slumped - that is where things have been tough. Strikeouts are more interesting than an actual issue.

[Northern Star]

 

I posted this in the game thread today, but in the last 15 games he has 23 K's and 42 LOB. He's a number 5 hitter, it's killing the team. Napoli probably couldn't hit a beach ball if he wanted to.

 

If that doesnt warrant a benching, I don't know what does.

[Brock Holt]

Mike Napoli is a lot like Trinidad James. He may have popped a molly, or a home run and is sweating, but it doesn't mean he doesn't suck. Trinidad James strikes out a lot with terrible songs, kind of like Mike Napoli strikes out a lot with terrible AB's. the Comparison is scary, actually.

[MJantomaso]

Mike Napoli is a lot like Trinidad James. He may have popped a molly, or a home run and is sweating, but it doesn't mean he doesn't suck. Trinidad James strikes out a lot with terrible songs, kind of like Mike Napoli strikes out a lot with terrible AB's. the Comparison is scary, actually.

 

....This some how makes sense

[SoxSport]

Carp, Nava and Gomes have done a bangup job at times playing LF and 1B (Nava, Carp). Nava playing 1b is a mystery. Can't recall him playing there in Pawtucket. He did make a key error there a couple of games ago. Carp and Gomes are valuable bench guys.

 

The only thing that bothers me about these guys is they might be blocking Bradley, who is a potential 5 tool guy waiting to happen. Last time in Boston, he hit one over the bullpen against a LHP, then got sent down again. What do they have here? They need to find out in September.

[Behindenemylines]

Don't have any confidence that Napoli will come up big in a tough spot. He will easily pass 200 strikeouts in a season and not reach 20 HR. If someone is going to strike out that much they have to hit north of 30 HR. The one year contract was a blessing, and the Sox should move on in 2014.

[jung]

Well I know some are banking on Naps having the kind os September he has had in the past but Naps is I think going to surpass the most games he has ever played in a season (140) this year. Naps only hit 140 once and never got close to that again. Usually 90-100 games is a big year for him. Some comment that his bat looks like it has s parachute attached to it....heck sometimes it looks like there is a boat anchor attached to it. Maybe if he does get a bunch of days off he could finish strong.

[Bellhorn04]

Well I know some are banking on Naps having the kind os September he has had in the past but Naps is I think going to surpass the most games he has ever played in a season (140) this year. Naps only hit 140 once and never got close to that again. Usually 90-100 games is a big year for him. Some comment that his bat looks like it has s parachute attached to it....heck sometimes it looks like there is a boat anchor attached to it. Maybe if he does get a bunch of days off he could finish strong.

 

Just have to point out that his games played for previous years all include at least 57 starts at catcher. You would think that playing first would be keeping him a lot fresher. And he's had some days off. His problems may have a lot more to do with getting 'baseball old' than being tired.

[jung]

Maybe so but even catching half of them, his seasons have looked like one game off for every two games played. Man that is a light load compared to what they are asking of him this year. There is a mental component to playing 1st base that can be fatiguing as well. The 1st baseman is going to handle the ball on every ground ball wherever it is hit. A walk or base hit puts a guy on your base. So now you are holding the runner or not, looking for signs that there is a play on etc etc. Physical demands are much lower than catcher but I still think this is headed for a lotta' games and fatigue for a guy that has grown used to one game off for every two games played.

 

I have thought this was going to be a heavy load for Naps before the season even started and thought he should have been getting days off way earlier in the season than he was, more like the way Tito used to do it. Your body and mind just gets used to a certain work load and pressing past that can be very difficult when it is as rare an occurrence as it is in his case.

[RedSoxNC84]

Mike Napoli has almost as many strikeouts as Carp has at-bats.

 

 

In 165 ABs Carp is hitting .309/.370/.564 with 29R 29RBI 2 triples, 14 doubles, and 8HRs... I think they should be platooning him in at 1b a lot more right now.

Edited August 13, 2013 by RedSoxNC84

[jimbo50]

where were you guys when i started this thread a week ago? Flood gates are open now!

[VA Sox Fan]

where were you guys when i started this thread a week ago? Flood gates are open now!

 

They were bitching about other players.

[jad]

Well, he's had his usual at bats tonight.

[jad]

0-5 3 Ks. (So far). I lost count of how many runners he left on.

[jacksonianmarch]

Don't worry, the sox get the Yanks this weekend. Nap should be good for 3 bombs

[RedSoxNC84]

Don't worry, the sox get the Yanks this weekend. Nap should be good for 3 bombs

 

The Sox have a lot of Yankees down the stretch, with the exception of Kuroda, most of those games should be fairly easy for the sox.. Cruising into the playoffs.

[Behindenemylines]

0-5 3 Ks. (So far). I lost count of how many runners he left on.

 

It was a sh@# load! He is becoming a rally killer. If he doesn't start hitting I would start to platoon him with Carp.