A player like Jose Reyes will never win a Triple Crown, he’s not a slugger and right now doesn’t bat in a part of the lineup with a lot of RBI opportunities. We count the success of players like Reyes with runs scored and stolen bases over home runs and RBIs.
So how does Jose Reyes stack up in the Leadoff Hitters Triple Crown as of 6:00pm on Sunday when I’m writing this? He leads the National League in average at .346. He’s currently 2nd in runs, one off the lead held by Drew Stubbs and Ryan Braun at 48. He’s second in stolen bases, six behind Michael Bourn of the Astros who has 26.
The season is a little over a third over, so there is still a lot of time left. Still, Reyes certainly looks like a solid candidate for my newly created Leadoff Triple Crown. He’s leading in hitting right now, although Joey Votto is only .007 behind him and having an unbelievable season as well. He’s currently got a .466 OBP. He’s on base more than 9 times out of 20.
Reyes is only one run scored off the lead, which is doubly impressive when you consider Stubbs has Votto behind him driving him in and Braun has Prince Fielder. Reyes has had to deal with injuries to Ike Davis and David Wright, and has often had Jason Bay, who’s not hitting at all, batting cleanup.
Michael Bourn is leading Jose in stolen bases. Bourn has been the leader in each of the last two seasons while Jose was dealing with the injury in 2009 and the lack of a Spring Training in 2010. So far this season he’s playing decently above his career average, and perhaps will tail off in stolen bases opportunities and allow Jose to pass him. Or maybe Jose starts stealing more.
Yes, Jose Reyes is having a monster year. He’s easily one of the most exciting players in baseball and the best shortstop in the league. Ultimately the Mets are going to have to work out an extension with him and resign him, but in the mean time we’re getting to enjoy one of the best seasons we’ve ever seen from a Mets position player. Getting to the tv for first pitch when the Mets are on the road is a necessity, because if you’re late you may miss Reyes doing something amazin’.
The 7 train sometimes makes local stops, but Jose Reyes is always express.
I kind of think the “traditional” Triple Crown is silly anyway. It’s been shown the BA is not the best metric for judging a player’s worth, and the same goes for RBI, as that stat is as much about what your teammates’ do as it is your own production.
I’d be much more impressed with a guy who leads the league in OBP/2B/HR, or OBP/XBH/SB, than a guy who leads in BA/HR/RBI.
That’s true. Without getting into a sabermetric debate about RBI (something I’ve been meaning to post about for a while now) there is still something to see there. The team that scores the most runs wins the game. The team that drives in the most runs almost always wins the game (no RBI on GIDP can sway that). So while you can look at other stats to really analyze how ‘valuable’ Reyes is, there is some tangible benefit to counting how many times he crosses the plate.
Though I wasn’t going for some sort of “Best leadoff hitter” analyze, just having fun with it. Reyes is not the top OBP guy (Votto, .466! insane! He honestly is not getting his due imo) he _is_ up there on that list, as well as XBH. and Doubles.
Agreed, and I think in terms of team stats, it is hard to argue against the idea that runs and RBI are the most important stats. I just wish there was a better (i.e. accurate, uncomplicated and accepted) method of determining individual contribution.
And Votto’s OBP is crazy. Guy’s never walked more than 91 time in a season and he’s now on pace for 130+! Though his SLG is about 30 points lower than his career average, so you have to wonder if he may be being a bit too selective.
It’s difficult for Reyes to get as many opportunities to steal bases because he doesn’t seem to be on first base all that much. Last I checked, he was leading the league in triples and tied for second in doubles. Not as much need to steal when you’re already in scoring position.
‘Leadoff Triple Crown’……nice.
If we could throw in the intangible (even though so many hate that phrase in relation to ball players) of how dynamic he is when healthy and just plain fun to watch, he’d win hands down.
Hi MR. Ceetar! Nice job and yes, he’s our MVP!
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