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Hatteberg Signed For 2007
In a minor move today, Reds GM Wayne Krivsky signed first baseman Scott Hatteberg for 2007 with an option for '08.
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The 36 year-old slumped to an awful .256/.334/.343 line for the A's in '05. He signed a free agent deal in February for $750,000 with Cincinnati. This year, Hatteberg has surged to a .324/.417/.505 performance in 275 ABs. He's drawn a walk in an impressive 14% of his plate appearances, 12th in the league.
Hatteberg historically performs worse against southpaws, and Jerry Narron has done well to use him primarily against righties. In the previous three seasons, Hatteberg faced lefties in 28% of his at-bats. This year, he's seen them just 19% of the time.
Given the small commitment to Hatteberg, the path is still clear for 22 year-old first baseman Joey Votto whenever he's ready. Votto is hitting .325/.407/.577 in Double A this season. The .984 OPS leads the Southern League. Baseball Prospectus's Kevin Goldstein rates Votto the third best first base prospect in the game behind Daric Barton and James Loney. Throw in Jay Bruce and Homer Bailey and the Reds can have a core of excellent youngsters in place by '08.
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We'll see about Votto. This is indeed a breakout year for him (after a very slow start), but last year was a regression from some earlier numbers. AA is a big test, though, where those who can make the adjustments and approach the game with a plan seperate themselves fromt the raw-talent guys who do well at lower levels on superior natural ability alone.
I'll be a believer in Votto when he strings two or three seasons together in a row like the one he's having, and has at least one of those at the MLB level.
He does, however, theoretically have Great American Ballpark working in his favour.
Posted by: Sunny Reiser | July 27, 2006 at 10:10 AM
I am pleased by this signing. I feel that Hatteberg has really turned it around. I always thought he kinda reminded me of Sean Casey when they signed him but he costs a lot less. I like the deal and it didn't cost the Reds too much money.
Posted by: JayTheRed | July 27, 2006 at 11:01 AM