THE BELTWAY BOYS: Is This All Brad Wilkerson Has?

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Is This All Brad Wilkerson Has?

Brad Wilkerson -- Has He Peaked?

Don't get me, wrong, if Brad Wilkerson never gets any better, never polishes his abilities one bit more, he will still be known as a quality, top-notch major league player. The question is, has that happened, or is there a "next" level he can reach?

I did a Lexus/Nexus search on Brad Wilkerson. In the almost 50 articles I found, there was an underlying theme in most of them: Once Wilkerson cuts down on his strikeouts and becomes less streaky with the bat, he could be one of the very best ever to play in this generation.

I agree with that. But will it happen?

Brad Wilkerson is on pace to bat near .300, whack almost 200 hits, get more than 60 doubles, 10 triples and 15 homeruns. Most importantly, he's well on his way to drive in 80 runs from the leadoff position. Now surely, he'll end up with fewer doubles and more homers; the sample used for the 2005 season just isn't big enough yet.

Here is the problem. He'll end up striking our almost 200 times. In the last three years, Wilkerson has struck out 152, 155, and 161 times, so that 200 number isn't out of the question.

Perhaps its time that we just enjoy Brad Wilkerson for who he is and stop hoping he'll become a player he just isn't capable of being. Andrew Jones of the Braves has had a fine career, but he has been dogged since 1996 of never having fulfilled the promise his talent suggested was there.

Let's stop doing that to Brad Wilkerson. Lets enjoy is talents and watch him help get the team into the playoffs in the near future. He shouldn't be judged against a version of himself that is not obtainable. Let's judge him against the other outfielders in the league. So far, I haven't seen many better than him.

Don't sweat the K's Brad. You're the foundation for this franchise and we know you'll lead us to the "promised land" one day.

# posted by Farid Rushdi @ 11:46 AM

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Rasner Rocks For Yanks

What was it that Jim Bowden said when he lost Darrell Rasner to the Yankees through waivers last winter? Wasn't it something like, "C'mon, it wasn't like he was going to make an impact at the major league level?" Well Jimbo, it seems like some of your "minor" transactions are coming back to haunt you.

Rasner, a 6'3" righty from Carson City, Nevada, was waived February 11th by the Nationals, just a couple of weeks before the start of spring training. He was picked up and assigned to 'AAA' Columbus. He had some injuries this year, but it didn't effect his pitching. In 58 innings for the Clippers, Rasner went 4-0, 2.76. But wait. There's more.

Pitching on Sunday against the Twins, Rasner pitched 6 strong innings, allowing just 1 run on 6 hits. In two starts, he's now 1-0, 1.17.

What do you always like to say, Jim, something about "You can never have enough pitching?" Let's see, you waived Rasner, and he's starting for the Yankees. You waived Claudio Vargas, and he's starting for the Diamondbacks. You waived Byung Young Kim, and he's starting for the Rockies. You traded Tomo Ohka for a guy no longer in the major leagues, and he's starting for the Brewers.

Jim, if I were you, I'd stay away from the waiver wire. Seems like you haven't figured it that it's supposed to help the team, not hurt it.

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Big Changes, Little Names

Big happenings? Nah. Just happenings. Zach Day was designated for assignment by the Colorado Rockies and Capitol Punishment is reporting that the Nats have claimed him off the waiver wire. So we ended up getting Preston Wilson for nothing. That's nice. Billy Traber, he of the tight leash, was sent down to New Orleans and replaced by Mike O'Connor.

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