Betancourt Shattering Expectations!!!

Who would have thought that 12 games into the 2008 season one of our most productive batters would be in the number 9 spot? As of today Yuniesky Betancourt has 42 ABs, which is the 6th most on the team - not bad for someone at the bottom of the batting order. But ABs have more to do with whether people ahead of you are getting on base and thus giving you a chance. But you won't continue to be given those ABs if you aren't producing.

So what has Betancourt done with his chances at the plate? Well, for starters he has the best batting average in the starting line up at .333. This is really amazing. Normally you think of your lead-off batter or your number 3 or 4 batter as having your best batting average, not your number 9 guy.

But his batting average doesn't even begin to explain the impact that Betancourt is having on his team. He also has 9 runs scored - good enough to tie him with Raul Ibanez for most on the team. This is probably the most remarkable stat out of all of his. Normally, the number 9 spot is someone who can play decent defense but in terms of what you expect from him in offensively, normally you are just looking to get by without him hitting into a DP so you can get back to the top of the batting order.

But Betancourt has taken it upon himself to get his toosh on base and let those "better" batters move him along and drive him into score. Certainly some credit should be given to manager John McLaren for recognizing what he has in Betancourt and sticking with this strategy instead of moving him up the batting order. Certainly Betancourt has earned the right to move up the batting order with his 12-game tear during which he has put together the most hits (14), doubles (3) and triples (1) of anyone on the team. But I laud McLaren for recognizing that with truly gifted bats behind him, there is no reason to move Betancourt at all.

PS - another stat that demonstrates Betancourt's maturity as a batter...

Strike Outs - 3, tied for fewest of all the mariners who have played in all 12 games. This means that when he is getting out, he is at least giving other runners a chance to advance. I don't know this but my guess is that he hasn't left too many runners stranded on base.