Appreciating Brian Barton

Good day …

There’s been some talk lately about what’s best for rookie Cardinals outfielder Brian Barton. As a Rule V draftee, he can’t be sent to the minors without first being offered back to his former team, the Cleveland Indians. The teams could work out a deal, and the Cardinals could send a player/prospect to Cleveland to gain unconditional rights to Barton, but nothing is in the works on that front. Ideally, Barton would benefit and develop  from regular ABs, and that certainly would help bring out his power — but he simply won’t get those starts at the MLB level. 

In that context, I think what Barton is doing is fairly impressive. There are a lot of veteran players in this game who don’t play well after sitting for long stretches. Without a lot of ABs, swings get rusty and it’s difficult to establish consistency. This is especially problematic for a young player who is used to playing every day in the minors, only to come to the majors to park on the bench for games at a time.

Barton, for example, recently received only four ABs in an 11-game stretch.

But when manager Tony La Russa finally put Barton in the lineup in recent days, the rookie responded magnificently with strong performances Sunday in Boston and Tuesday in Detroit. 

In the two games, Barton went 3 for 7 with two runs, two doubles, a homer, three RBIs and a stolen base.

To get back into the flow and produce so quickly after being virtually idle for a couple of weeks is a positive reflection of Barton. And it does reveal his value.

Barton has also done a fine job as a pinch hitter. He’s 8 for 27, .296.  Only five players in MLB have more pinch hits, and only six (minimum 20 ABs) have a higher BA than Barton. And again — isn’t reliable pinch-hitting supposed to be the domain of a veteran?

I’ve seen people write and blog and heard them say that maybe it’s best to just part ways with Barton because (1) he won’t get the time he needs up here; and (2) the Cardinals can’t send him down; (3) he is of limited value to the team.

I respectfully disagree. Barton, 26, does have value to this team, right now, as a guy who can come off the bench and make a difference, either as a PH or a spot starter vs. LHP. 

Keep in mind that this Cardinals OF generally doesn’t stack up well against LHP.

Let’s take a look (all stats through Tuesday):

Ludwick:  .244 / .333 / .535  - OPS of .866
Barton:     .246 /.375 / .385    - OPS of .760
Ankiel:       .211 / .263 / .394    - OPS of  .658
Schumaker:  .169 / .250 / .185  - OPS of  .435
Duncan:    .115 / .148 / .192   -  OPS of   .340

Barton also has speed, which isn’t in great supply on this team.

And though his arm isn’t very good, in terms of range and reliability he’s done fine in LF — and has a +1 rating so far by the John Dewan - Bill James system.

Unlike some of his OF colleagues, Barton will take a walk against LHP.  His OPS vs. the LH isn’t great, but it is second-best among Cardinals outfielders.  The Cardinals could use another good bat out there, and maybe that will be Colby Rasmus before long. Barton can’t play every day; too many ABs would likely expose him. There is a fine line here, and I’d like to see La Russa give Barton a little more run.

But Barton hasn’t done anything so poorly that it warrants cutting ties with him.  Unless I’m missing it, I just don’t see a bunch of guys out there who can get something going after sitting and waiting, sitting and waiting.

And Barton, to this point, has a higher BA, OBP and SLG than Chris Duncan, who continues to get the ABs.

(stltoday.com)