Tony La Russa said he "couldn't disagree more" with Detroit Tigers first base coach Andy Van Slyke's critique of Chris Duncan's future in the outfield. Van Slyke, a former Gold Glove center fielder, labeled Duncan potentially "average at best, not worst." La Russa repeatedly has predicted Duncan would leave spring training "average at worst" in the outfield, where he struggled after shifting from first base last season.
"I'm surprised, because I know he was an outstanding outfielder, and Jimmy (Leyland) is real pleased with the way he approaches his outfielders," La Russa said about Van Slyke. "But I'm surprised that he doesn't remember experiences where a guy starts out struggling defensively and is permitted to work and becomes better than average."
Duncan has worked with Cardinals first base coach Dave McKay and guest instructor Larry Walker since camp opened, an effort that his manager notes whenever addressing the topic.
"If you're willing to work and you work on the right things…— if you have below-average skills you can become average," La Russa said. "If you have average skills you can become above average. If you have above-average skills you can be terrific. Chris really runs well for a big guy. He's got a nice arm. He's going to work and get confident."
I can't find the entirety of what Van Slyke actually said to put LaRussa into such a hissy. In fact, the article above is the first mention of any comments Van Slyke has made about Duncan that I've found (via Google). Despite all that, is "average at best" really that unfair of an assumption?
I expect no less than three slams of whatever fielding metric is chosen by the first poster.
Last edited by Phyrkrakr on March 2 07, 7:07 am, edited 1 time in total.
I don't care much for Van Slyke lately. I can't back it up w/ a link or anything but I lost some respect for him last spring when he was on The Score in Chicago comparing steroid use to jay-walking or speeding.
I don't know what Tony sees, or if he's just trying to be as supportive as possible for Duncan. What Van Slyke said was actually more complimentary than what I would have said.
I will consider it good if Duncan comes out of Spring Training as the 2nd worst defensive OF in baseball, moving him up one spot on the charts.
What Duncan lacks in the OF is something that I'm not sure Walker can teach. It's instinctual, and Duncan doesn't have it.
he's just trying to be as supportive as possible for Duncan
Bingo. I think he's just trying to get Duncan as confident out there as he can.
And that's probably important. Part of Duncan's problem is his confidence out there. He gets to the balls, but freaks out at the last second and doesn't catch them.
If he came up 3 years ago with a healthy Edmonds, I wouldnt be worried. Jimmy could have covered alot of his mistakes. I still think hes the RF at some point (maybe 08) and Juan is pissing off someone elses message board faithful.
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