Power Pros Forum

I always play on All-Star, and I usually have pretty realistic stats other than the lack of walks. And yeah, this is MLB '11.

Week of April 17th, 2011

This week started with the series finale against the Biscuits, a game we won and I sat out. After the game, we hit the road and headed to Zebulon, North Carolina to play the Mudcats. I was in right field to start the opening game. I was 1 for 4 with a couple RBI's in our 10-2 win.

I started again on Tuesday and went 0 for 4, so I wasn't surprised when I wasn't in the lineup on Wednesday, although I did come in to pinch hit. I struck out.

I continued my slump, going hitless for the rest of the week, although I did draw a walk.

On Saturday night, my dad posted a link to my stats on my Facebook wall and left a comment saying "If you're going to throw your life away playing baseball, at least be good at it!" I "liked" it. At least he was paying attention.

Stats
8-37, .216, 0 HR, 0 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 5 RBI, 4 R, 1 BB, 3 K, .225 OBP, .216 SLG

Standings
1. Huntsville Stars - 13-3
2(t). Tennessee Smokies - 8-8
2(t). Carolina Mudcats - 8-8
4. Chattanooga Lookouts - 6-10
5. Jackson Generals - 4-12

Best Dad Ever. Can we see a little more interaction with coaches, players, etc.

Sure, sure. This last update was done rather hastily.

Week of April 24th, 2011

On Sunday, I started my second straight game, this time in center field. Before the game, while playing catch with Ray Guzman, the starting third baseman whom I've become pretty good friends with, I asked him why I might be getting so many starts as a "backup" outfielder.

"You didn't hear it from me," he said, "but I think the team scouts are pretty big on you. They say you've got what it takes."

"Oh really? And what does it take?" I asked.

"If I knew, I wouldn't be 24 years old and still in damned AA ball." I felt a little sorry for him. I couldn't imagine staying put in the same league for another four years, and he had been here for six. He was also struggling more than I was, batting just .136 at the start of the week. I had a feeling if he didn't pick it up, it was going to be his last season. I went 0 for 4 with a walk, and we lost by one. I hit the ball hard twice, though, and actually reached first on an error on one of them.

On Monday, I showed up early to the ballpark and approached our hitting coach, Dan Miller. I requested some advice.

"You just need to relax," he advised. "You're a good hitter, you just need to act like it." I thanked him and left to do some tee work. I couldn't say he was wrong, confidence had long been one of my biggest problems, and was probably the cause of my slump. I cleared my mind and got ready for the game that night. I was starting in right field.

When I came up to the plate in my first at-bat, a runner was on second base. I quickly fell behind 1-2, but I stepped out of the box, took a deep breath, and managed to hit a line drive single to left field for my first hit in 9 at-bats. Colvin at second stayed, (I guess he thought it might get caught) but I felt I had taken a big step towards getting out of this slump. I later doubled and finished the game 2 for 5.

I sat out the rest of the series, which I thought seemed a bit odd, since I'd gotten so many starts while I was ice cold. They were just waiting me out, I guess.

Thursday marked the start of a 5-game set against the Carolina Mudcats at home, and I started in right again. I went 1 for 4 and drew a walk, but I ended the game with a lineout to third.

After getting showered up and changed, Dancy called me into his office. I assumed the worst, and I got a sinking feeling in my gut. I went in and he motioned for me to sit.

"Why do you think I called you in here?" he asked.

Something bad, I thought. "I don't know, skip," I said. His facial expression turned grim.

"I just wanted to let you know that you're my new starting left fielder."

I wasn't sure I heard him right. He smiled, and I exhaled. "You can't do that to me," I said with a grin. I shook his hand and thanked him.

On my way out, I asked "What about Seo?" Seo being the other left fielder.

"He's been called up to AAA," Dancy explained, "and we got Victor Diaz from A-ball to back you up.

"I won't let you down," I promised, and I left. On my way home, I called my parents to give them the good news.

"That's great, honey!" my mom exclaimed.

"Does it come with a raise?" asked my dad. I told him no, and he got all huffy.

Oddly enough, I sat out my first game as a "starter" all the way until the 11th inning, when I finally got in to pinch hit. I struck out swinging.

On Saturday, my first start as an official starter, I went 2 for 5, a nice way to end the week and my first month as a pro ballplayer.

Stats
13-56, .232, 0 HR, 1 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 5 RBI, 6 R, 3 BB, 6 K, .262 OBP, .250 SLG

Standings
1. Huntsville Stars - 17-6
2. Carolina Mudcats - 13-10
3. Tennessee Smokies - 12-11
4(t). Chattanooga Lookouts - 8-15
4(t). Jackson Generals - 8-15

If I were you I'd develop some power. I think at this point Contact is more than Power because it is the difference between a single and a double.

At this point he doesn't really want to hit home runs as much as just getting on base and proving to the scouts and the coaches that he has what it takes to stay as a starter.

Power helped me. I'd get that extra ounce of pop that could transform outs into hits

Speed is better right away, it turns a ton of weak outs into hits in MLB '11 and the games before it, and it helps with fielding and baserunning as well.

At this point it seems like he's just hitting with TRJ 4. He'll come around. I'm not concerned.

You mean like Dr.Goodjob came and put his trajectory higher than you planned on?

viewtopic.php?f=14&t=4644

Still won't let that go, eh?

Week of May 1st, 2011

This week was a pretty good one. Although I went just 3 for 16 and struck out 4 times, I did have a few shining moments and the team went 5-2. In the first inning on Tuesday's game against the Mobile Baybears, I stepped up to the plate with runners on first and second. With the count at 1-1, the Mobile pitcher tossed a curveball. I recognized it immediately, and my eyes lit up as I pulled a fly ball to right. I was about half way to first when I realized it was going over the wall for my first pro homer. The some 5,000 fans at the game cheered, and I received dozens of high fives upon my return to the dugout. A couple innings later, Bill Dancy presented me with the ball, which I eventually brought home and stored in a safe place. My only hits through the rest of the week were a single and another home run, so my Dad texted me on Friday, "Get that batting average up, Rob Deer. Again, I was just glad to find out he had been keeping tabs on me.

Week's Stats
3-16, .188, 2 HR, 1 2B, 0 3B, 4 RBI, 3 R, 2 BB, 4 K, .278 OBP, .563 SLG

Season Stats
16-72, .222, 2 HR, 1 2B, 0 3B, 9 RBI, 9 R, 5 BB, 10 K, .266 OBP, .319 SLG

Standings
1. Huntsville Stars - 21-9
2. Tennessee Smokies - 17-13
3. Carolina Mudcats - 16-14
4. Chattanooga Lookouts - 11-19
5. Jackson Generals - 9-21

Rob Deer

I don't get it