What a joke Soriano better than Ichiro !

**keRplunK** · 02-06-2003, 06:50 PM

Re: What a joke Soriano better than Ichiro !

cake- did you just say that Johnny Damon, Shannon Stewart, and Ray Durham are better lead off hitters then Ichiro?.....Stewert barely is a leadoff hitter anymore and has actually gotten worse over the years, Durham is a decent player, and Johnny Damon's OBP is 35 points lower then Ichiro.

Sorianos biggest weaknesses are lack of discipline and inconsistent defense(although spectacular at times). These can be hid a little bit because when you always have people in front of you on base they are forced to pitch to you.

That being said what he did last year was stunning. He almost went 40/40 I don't think people realize how hard this is to do. The reason why everyone isn't saying that hes the next A-rod is his OBP is .333 THAT IS HORRIBLE. If he can get in the .380 range he will completly leave Ichiro in the dust and be arguably as good as A-rod. Until then Soriano is just to unpredicatable. I could see numbers any where from a .260 average to .340. Homeruns could be 25 or 45. People with .330 OBP have historically have very hard times keeping there production consistent. We won't know who is better until after this year.

**NYJets** · 02-06-2003, 07:15 PM

Re: What a joke Soriano better than Ichiro !

<blockquote>Quote:<hr />
Sorano 1 breakout year against an ICHIRO MVP season in 01 and still a pretty solid season .321,208 hits in 02. ICHIRO is the better player by that. I think ICHIRO will have a mvp year similar to what he did in 01 because he will get more rest which he hardly got any in 02.

Soriano is a bit overrated 150 Ks, 22 walks, .320 I think OBP. He is the worst fielding 2B in baseball.

<hr /></blockquote>

Worst fielding 2B in baseball?

Soriano is ok in the field, and he has only played 2nd base for 2 years, one year not even playing it in spring training. He was a shortstop almost his whole life.

As for being overated? Well, if hes overated, I would build my whole team with overated players. He was a homerun away from going 40 40, drove in and scored around 100 runs, led the league in doubles, was one of the tops in OPS I believe. Pretty good for someone who is overated

**NYJets** · 02-06-2003, 07:15 PM

Re: What a joke Soriano better than Ichiro !

<blockquote>Quote:<hr />
Sorano 1 breakout year against an ICHIRO MVP season in 01 and still a pretty solid season .321,208 hits in 02. ICHIRO is the better player by that. I think ICHIRO will have a mvp year similar to what he did in 01 because he will get more rest which he hardly got any in 02.

Soriano is a bit overrated 150 Ks, 22 walks, .320 I think OBP. He is the worst fielding 2B in baseball.

<hr /></blockquote>

Worst fielding 2B in baseball?

Soriano is ok in the field, and he has only played 2nd base for 2 years, one year not even playing it in spring training. He was a shortstop almost his whole life.

As for being overated? Well, if hes overated, I would build my whole team with overated players. He was a homerun away from going 40 40, drove in and scored around 100 runs, led the league in doubles, was one of the tops in OPS I believe. Pretty good for someone who is overated

**Birdsonbat** · 02-06-2003, 07:44 PM

Re: What a joke Soriano better than Ichiro !

I'm going to say that Soriano's lack of discipline may have something to do with him being only 25. I think it is too early to tell which player is the best as they have both only had one standout season each. Not that Ichiro's last season was bad.

**Birdsonbat** · 02-06-2003, 07:44 PM

Re: What a joke Soriano better than Ichiro !

I'm going to say that Soriano's lack of discipline may have something to do with him being only 25. I think it is too early to tell which player is the best as they have both only had one standout season each. Not that Ichiro's last season was bad.

**Ckhoss29** · 02-06-2003, 07:46 PM

Re: What a joke Soriano better than Ichiro !

I think that comparing the two is very hard. You are comparing a true lead off hitter to a true number 3 hitter IMO. Ichiro does what lead off hitters are supposed to do, set the table for the big bats behind him. Soriano does what a number 3 hitter is supposed to do(even though i know he bats lead off, though he doesn't belong there)
Ichiro is a stud in the field, soriano has his good days and just absolutely awful days.
Both have great speed.
I guess if you are looking at the overall picture, it would have to be a push.

**Ckhoss29** · 02-06-2003, 07:46 PM

Re: What a joke Soriano better than Ichiro !

I think that comparing the two is very hard. You are comparing a true lead off hitter to a true number 3 hitter IMO. Ichiro does what lead off hitters are supposed to do, set the table for the big bats behind him. Soriano does what a number 3 hitter is supposed to do(even though i know he bats lead off, though he doesn't belong there)
Ichiro is a stud in the field, soriano has his good days and just absolutely awful days.
Both have great speed.
I guess if you are looking at the overall picture, it would have to be a push.

**Skyboxer** · 02-06-2003, 08:19 PM

Re: What a joke Soriano better than Ichiro !

I'll take Soriano. Not because of him being a Yankees but I think he brings more to the ballpark and has the most improvement possibilities. Just my .02

**Skyboxer** · 02-06-2003, 08:19 PM

Re: What a joke Soriano better than Ichiro !

I'll take Soriano. Not because of him being a Yankees but I think he brings more to the ballpark and has the most improvement possibilities. Just my .02

**ViperVisor** · 02-06-2003, 08:35 PM

Re: What a joke Soriano better than Ichiro !

he will never have a .400 OBP

**ViperVisor** · 02-06-2003, 08:35 PM

Re: What a joke Soriano better than Ichiro !

he will never have a .400 OBP

**bkrich83** · 02-06-2003, 09:36 PM

Re: What a joke Soriano better than Ichiro !

<blockquote>Quote:<hr />
he will never have a .400 OBP

<hr /></blockquote>

What does that mean?? Ichiro didnt have a .400 OBP last year either. The goal of baseball is to score runs. Soriano is a run producer. Not only in his ability to score runs, but also his ability to drive in runs.

Not only did he drive in twice as many runs as Ichiro, but he scored more runs also.

If I was looking for a leadoff hitter I would take Ichiro, but if I was looking for a true run producer with some unique talents then I would take Soriano.

**bkrich83** · 02-06-2003, 09:36 PM

Re: What a joke Soriano better than Ichiro !

<blockquote>Quote:<hr />
he will never have a .400 OBP

<hr /></blockquote>

What does that mean?? Ichiro didnt have a .400 OBP last year either. The goal of baseball is to score runs. Soriano is a run producer. Not only in his ability to score runs, but also his ability to drive in runs.

Not only did he drive in twice as many runs as Ichiro, but he scored more runs also.

If I was looking for a leadoff hitter I would take Ichiro, but if I was looking for a true run producer with some unique talents then I would take Soriano.

**Pineiro3k38** · 02-06-2003, 09:42 PM

Re: What a joke Soriano better than Ichiro !

ICHIRO was close to #1 in AL with OBP til last month or so when his struggled was quite getting bigger. He had an obp of .425 at times before aug and sept. He ended up witha .385 OBP I think and also leading AL with intentional walks.

Soriano has unique talents which are strike out 150 times and walk 22 times. Thats a great talent :d

**Pineiro3k38** · 02-06-2003, 09:42 PM

Re: What a joke Soriano better than Ichiro !

ICHIRO was close to #1 in AL with OBP til last month or so when his struggled was quite getting bigger. He had an obp of .425 at times before aug and sept. He ended up witha .385 OBP I think and also leading AL with intentional walks.

Soriano has unique talents which are strike out 150 times and walk 22 times. Thats a great talent :d

What a joke Soriano better than Ichiro !

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