A Role for Kim

The situation as I see it:

Kim isn't creating value on the bench
There isn't an opportunity to put him in the lineup without the team suffering defensively
He's not valuable as a baserunner relative to Reimold or Rickard
He can't be sent down without his consent
He has some demonstrated value as a hitter
Rickard isn't hitting much, particularly against RHP, but still has value on defense and on the bases

How about this:

Versus RHP, Kim bats leadoff in LF
He bats once and is immediately removed for a runner
He plays at most 1 inning in the field (if the game is at home)

That would get Kim some much needed at bats, improve the prospects for first inning runs scored, effectively move Rickard down to the 9 spot where he will have a lower percentage of his ABs vs. RHP. The Orioles certainly aren't making use of Kim on the bench as is, so this seems like a reasonable solution.

The situation as I see it:

Kim isn't creating value on the bench

There isn't an opportunity to put him in the lineup without the team suffering defensively

He's not valuable as a baserunner relative to Reimold or Rickard

He can't be sent down without his consent

He has some demonstrated value as a hitter

Rickard isn't hitting much, particularly against RHP, but still has value on defense and on the bases

How about this:

Versus RHP, Kim bats leadoff in LF

He bats once and is immediately removed for a runner

He plays at most 1 inning in the field (if the game is at home)

That would get Kim some much needed at bats, improve the prospects for first inning runs scored, effectively move Rickard down to the 9 spot where he will have a lower percentage of his ABs vs. RHP. The Orioles certainly aren't making use of Kim on the bench as is, so this seems like a reasonable solution.

When you do this, You make your bench two men.

When you do this, You make your bench two men.

It does sound like something Earl would do..in fact it is something that Earl did.

But Earl had a deep bench.

I love the idea in theory.

It does sound like something Earl would do..in fact it is something that Earl did.

But Earl had a deep bench.

I love the idea in theory.

Me too.

The situation as I see it:

Kim isn't creating value on the bench

There isn't an opportunity to put him in the lineup without the team suffering defensively

He's not valuable as a baserunner relative to Reimold or Rickard

He can't be sent down without his consent

He has some demonstrated value as a hitter

Rickard isn't hitting much, particularly against RHP, but still has value on defense and on the bases

How about this:

Versus RHP, Kim bats leadoff in LF

He bats once and is immediately removed for a runner

He plays at most 1 inning in the field (if the game is at home)

That would get Kim some much needed at bats, improve the prospects for first inning runs scored, effectively move Rickard down to the 9 spot where he will have a lower percentage of his ABs vs. RHP. The Orioles certainly aren't making use of Kim on the bench as is, so this seems like a reasonable solution.

Is Kim's defense so bad?

When you do this, You make your bench two men.

It's already 2 men, effectively.

It's already 2 men, effectively.

Kim is allowed to pinch hit in blowouts.

Kim's speed, defense, and arm strength/accuracy seem passable.

So why are we treating him like Lupus?

Kim's speed, defense, and arm strength/accuracy seem passable.

So why are we treating him like Lupus?

Because Rickard is getting a full audition before they write him off to the bench or worse. Otherwise, we need to start Trumbo, Jones, and Alvarez everyday. Reimold also needs playing time against lefties. There just aren't enough at bats for everyone.

Kim's speed, defense, and arm strength/accuracy seem passable.

So why are we treating him like Lupus?

Signs point to Buck and maybe his coaching staff.

We get any quotes from anyone on the staff about Kim?

At the very least, he could pinch hit for Rickard when not starting.

I think he should also see some starts vs RHP.

Plus, there is nothing wrong with being a 4th OF as insurance for the inevitable injury.

Because Rickard is getting a full audition before they write him off to the bench or worse. Otherwise, we need to start Trumbo, Jones, and Alvarez everyday. Reimold also needs playing time against lefties. There just aren't enough at bats for everyone.

That doesn't explain the behavior that started in spring training.

No real reason Rickard gets that chance everyday over Kim.

2015 KBO L/R splits

162 vs. L: .333, 7 2B, 7HR, 32RBI, 27BB/16K

291 vs. R: .330, 16 2B, 17HR, 74RBI, 60BB/42K

59 vs. Underhand: .288, 3 2B, 4HR, 15RBI, 14BB/5K

Kim seems to be equally effective against lefties and righties with underhand pitchers thrown in, too. Even in his limited ABs this season, he seems to generally be far more skilled with a bat than Rickard is. Kim should be

getting starts against righties and lefties. Rickard is slashing .267/.296/.376 which isn't all that great. He has dived for two or three balls this season that he had no chance of catching and his arm isn't that great and has

been missing cutoff men resulting in many bad throws. He not that great and certainly not so good either with the bat or in the field that warrants him getting almost every start over Reimold or Kim. He legs out infield hits

which is great, but both Reimold and Kim can do that too. I was as excited as anyone about Rickard during ST, but he is not playing so well that he should be almost completely shutting out Reimold and Kim from getting in

games.

That doesn't explain the behavior that started in spring training.

No real reason Rickard gets that chance everyday over Kim.

Kim was terrible in ST. Rickard was on fire. Had it been the other way around, Rickard would be in the doghouse, but with much less fanfare. So there is a BIG reason that Rickard is getting starts everyday over Kim.

Kim was terrible in ST. Rickard was on fire. Had it been the other way around, Rickard would be in the doghouse, but with much less fanfare. So there is a BIG reason that Rickard is getting starts everyday over Kim.

I thought Buck didn't give much weight to spring training stats?