One thing I’ve noticed is that he tightens up in a lot of important ABs. Yes he’s had a couple of walk off hits including a HR but he usually tightens up in those spots and it bears watching. He’s young and new so it’s still early. I liked Wright when he first came up but lost any appreciation of him starting in 2007. I remember like yesterday giving him a pass for a poor showing in 2006 post season cuz he has opportunities in big spots then too but it wasn’t as noticeable and it was his first time. But it’s gotten progressively worse with him and the rest is history.

The jury is still out on Duda

We only saw two months of him in RF and lets say they were definitly EXCITING to say the least. LOL

I have no doubt the kid can hit, The question is will he do the opposite of what Pagan did and bring his glove to the plate with him!

We will see!

having 4 guys that can realistically be considered 30 HR threats (no, they aren’t all likely to do it in the same year) can help put runs on the board in a hurry.

besides, it took 2 guys at least for reyes to score a run. Jose to get on 1st, then someone to bunt him over to 2nd!

If Ike and Duda both hit like I think they can this year, it will not take too much more to make that happen well before 2015.

Duda after he became the everyday RF. (7/27/2011)
181/AB, 52/G, .304/BA, .286/OBP, .514/SLG 9/HR, 36/RBI, 26/R

Duda’s 1HR after taking over in RF.
http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=17356025&c_id=mlb

Also, I hope Lucas doesn’t slap a restraining order on you, because if he actually does hit what you think he can, you may move onto his front lawn and set up a small shrine or something!

And I want to clarify the comment about 2010. He didn’t actually struggle in 29 games. He just had a terrible start (seemed to be his MO to take a few weeks to settle in at a new level).

first 13 games, he literally did nothing (1 hit). But once he broke the ice, the last 16 games he was a beast (.314 BA, .647 slg% with 4/12 HR/RBI).

2011, he did not do much as a PT call up early, but once he came back to stay and started to play every day, he was a machine. in the 2nd half (from about 6/22, where he played 80 games, mostly starts), in 256 Abs he had a slash line of .317/.394/.529, with 10 HRs and 46 RBI.

So yes, I expect him to have a big year. might not do those #s for a full season, but I expect a strong BA with plenty of power, and a lot of RBIs.

He just has a great swing, nice and compact, and an excellent approach to hitting. Uses the whole field, and understands situational (as in 2 strike) hitting. So he isn’t some big all or nothing hacker, but when he turns on a ball (which he started to do a lot more the last couple of years) it will go a long way.

Still want to see him get settled into LF for the long term, but as long as he can be serviceable in RF, his bat will play.