Tom Verducci wrote the following quote.
One of the real standouts in the Team USA lineup, and even in the clubhouse, has been Adam Dunn. Being around some of the best players in the game in an intense environment seems to be bringing out the best in a guy who found little interest on the free-agent market and seems to confound many people in baseball. He is an on-base machine with massive power, but also is a career .225 hitter with runners in scoring position (.247 overall) who at times can seem to be operating at cruising speed. “I go through a lot of valleys,” is how Dunn described the inconsistent nature of his game.
I’ve heard announcers starting to warm up to Dunn, despite the high number of strikeouts and low batting average because they know he has power and can get on base.
Dunn signed a 2 year deal with Washington for a reported $20 Million, a steal considering his numbers.
2006 ($07.5 Million): Hit .234/.365/.490 with 40 HR and 112 BB vs. 194 K
2007 ($10.5 Million): Hit .264/.386/.554 with 40 HR and 101 BB vs. 165 K (Had 7 more hits but 29 fewer K)
2008 ($13.0 Million): Hit .236/.386/.513 with 40 HR and 122 BB vs. 164 K (Walked 21 more times)
He’s hit exactly 40 HR in 4 straight years and flashed speed on the base paths with 22 SB in 27 SBA (81.5%). The guy could easily hit 40 HR and steal 10 SB if given the opportunity.
Every media member loves Ryan Howard, despite the strikeouts, and yet the last 2 years he has rivaled Dunn.
2007 ($900 K): Hit .268/.392/.584 with 47 HR and 107 BB vs. 199 K
2008 ($10.0 Million): Hit .251/.339/.543 with 48 HR and 81 BB vs. 199 K.
For everybody who dislikes Adam Dunn, he’s a much better on base threat than Ryan Howard with a similar amount of power. Not to mention he’s a better threat to steal than Howard, who has 2 SB in his career. Also of note, Howard strikes out far more than Dunn ever has in his career (Dunn has topped 170 only 3 times in his career).
Richie Sexson was essentially Ryan Howard, just without the ultra favorable hitter’s ballpark. At his peak, Sexson was good for a .270 BA, .360 OBP, and .540 SLG with 40+ HR and 80+ BB vs. 160+ K. Richie’s best seasons in 2001 and 2003 with 45 HR came in a ballpark that scored a 101 and 99 park factor for hitters. Compare that to Ryan Howard whose park factors over the past three years was 105, 104, and 102.
To put those into context, here’s Coors Field over the past 3 years: 107, 109, and 105.
