I get it. With that freaking lunatic in North Korea doing lunatic things, it’s only natural for the negativity to permeate to all Koreans. But Shin-Soo Choo? Grey wrote in last week’s Buy/Sell column, “Hey, it’s Willie Calhoun’s prospblock! Hey, Willie Calhoun’s prospblock, say hello to your mother for me.” Why Grey why? Why can’t it be Delino DeShields? No need to answer that. How about Nomar Mazara? Carlos Gomez? I’m sticking up for Choo, but what can he do for you?
Take writers and other readers on in the Fantasy Football Razzball Commenter Leagues for a chance at prizes! Free to join, leagues still open!
Choo is the 29th outfielder on the Player Rater. So far, he’s put up a .262 average with 84 runs scored, 18 home runs, 65 RBI, and 12 stolen bases. He bats either lead-off or second in the batting order for a team that is fourth in runs scored. Also, Globe Life Park in Arlington is a very hitter-friendly park.
Choo walks 12.9% of the time while striking out 20.6%. The ISO isn’t Stanton-esque, but it’s a respectable .153. The swinging strike rate is only 8.6% and he has a contact rate of 86.9% in the strike zone. He only chases 20.8% outside the zone.
What’s not to like?
Choo does hit a ton of ground balls, as his GB/FB rate is 1.93. With that said, he’s still hitting the ball hard 37.2% of the time and is able to drive it out of the park when he does elevate, as evidenced by the 20.5% HR/FB. That number may be a little high but his career average is 15% in that department. The batting average is better at home (.278 vs .249) but that’s the case with many players. He has a .26o average against righties and .269 average against lefties.
Ok, Choo is a freaking dinosaur at 35 years old. Freaking prospblocker!!! DeShields is 25, Mazara 22, and Gomez 31. Age ain’t nothing but a number y’all, especially when it comes with $82 million. Choo is owed $20 million this year, $20 million next year, and $21 million each of the next two years. Ladies and gentlemen, that is why Scott Boras is the best in the biz. And that is why Choo ain’t sitting down for anyone.
VERDICT
