ryno4ever
Aug 11th 2007, 5:18 pm
How about this Rick Ankeil???? He made a comeback after giving up on pitching. Worked his way through the St. Louis minor league system changing positions to right fielder.... in his debut, he hit a curtain-calling home run for the Cardinals on Thursday. Today, on Fox's game of the week, he has already hit two home runs, made an unbelievable sliding catch up against the wall...and has quickly become the fan favorite in St. Louis.
Here are some scary numbers (I say scary, as we have yet to face this guy in his new position):
In 710 minor-league at-bats since retiring as a pitcher, Ankiel has hit 53 home runs. He is averaging one every 13.4 at-bats. His hitting line this season is .267/.314/.568, and his manager and hitting coach have both said as he improves his understanding of the strike zone his on-base percentage will climb. He is hitting .263 in the minors as an outfielder with 187 hits against 156 strikeouts.
He hits .310 against lefthanded pitchers; .316 against righthanders.
– But he has slugged .596 in 109 at-bats against lefties, while slugging .557 in 280 at-bats against righthanders.
He is definately something we need to watch. With 7 against us and 6 left against the Brewers, the Cardinals may have just found their spark they need to catapult them back into the race.....
Even though he is on the Cardinals, I have to applaud his journey and where this guy who could have easily given up, to where he is today.... hats off to Rick Ankeil!
Here are some scary numbers (I say scary, as we have yet to face this guy in his new position):
In 710 minor-league at-bats since retiring as a pitcher, Ankiel has hit 53 home runs. He is averaging one every 13.4 at-bats. His hitting line this season is .267/.314/.568, and his manager and hitting coach have both said as he improves his understanding of the strike zone his on-base percentage will climb. He is hitting .263 in the minors as an outfielder with 187 hits against 156 strikeouts.
He hits .310 against lefthanded pitchers; .316 against righthanders.
– But he has slugged .596 in 109 at-bats against lefties, while slugging .557 in 280 at-bats against righthanders.
He is definately something we need to watch. With 7 against us and 6 left against the Brewers, the Cardinals may have just found their spark they need to catapult them back into the race.....
Even though he is on the Cardinals, I have to applaud his journey and where this guy who could have easily given up, to where he is today.... hats off to Rick Ankeil!