AJ's approach: Are you fine with it?

[DrungoHazewood]

Two guys playing today who seem to have a similar profile are Wilin Rosario (.786 OPS, 4.5% walk rate in 1213 PA) and Salvador Perez (.775 OPS, 4.4% walk rate in 1382 PA). Both are younger than Adam and may pick up more plate discipline as they gain experience. And Rosario's .786 OPS is heavily influenced by playing at Coors. He's not really as good a hitter as Adam.

I think it should also be noted that various points in history had significantly higher walk/lower K rates than today. 1949 - 4.06 walks/game, 3.61 K/game. For quite a lot of history players like Jones simply didn't exist, at least not in the form they do today. Gus Zerniel probably had an approach at the plate very similar to Jones, and his worst year he had a 110:38 K:BB ratio. There were only eight player-seasons from 1945-55 with >80 Ks, < 40 BBs.

To really do this comparison right you'd have to adjust for league context.

[Aglets]

Today's fun fact:

The league average K/PA % is 19.7%. Adam Jones strikes out in 17.5% of his PA by comparison. Same as Manny, less than guys like Pearce and Cruz, and of course much less than Davis (32.4%).

So Jones is better than your average MLB'er at putting the ball in play, even if it doesn't seem like it at times.

[Frobby]

Today's fun fact:

The league average K/PA % is 19.7%. Adam Jones strikes out in 17.5% of his PA by comparison. Same as Manny, less than guys like Pearce and Cruz, and of course much less than Davis (32.4%).

So Jones is better than your average MLB'er at putting the ball in play, even if it doesn't seem like it at times.

It is not really too surprising, because Adam puts balls in play early in the count relatively often, instead of getting into deep counts.

[jabba72]

Once that bat slows down its not going to be pretty. I wouldnt count Jones out when he reaches 35 though. Sheffield had a quick bat and he played a long time.

[weams]

Once that bat slows down its not going to be pretty. I wouldnt count Jones out when he reaches 35 though. Sheffield had a quick bat and he played a long time.

I think at that point, he will reinvent himself as a Nick Markakis type.

[Frobby]

I think at that point, he will reinvent himself as a Nick Markakis type.

I seriously doubt that Jones' style of play will ever remotely resemble Markakis'. They are very different players, whose skills complement each other.