It strikes me that it is the first in a number of years that we don't have a bunch of placeholders in the line up. Once Brett is up (today would be a good day) we could be looking at the line up we could see for the next few years. I mean, Hill likely could be replaced and maybe we'll see a new DH next year and we have some guys in the minors that could challenge for jobs soon, but we have finally rid ourselves of the Nixes, Pattersons, Millars, Wilkersons etc of the world. Life is good.
Our batters hit .268/.327/.424 in July. We scored 5.46 runs per game, more runs than we scored any other month.
J.P. Arencibia: .205/.284/.452, 5 homers, 13 RBI. He's been very consistent for home runs this year, he had 4 each month until the 5 in July. After a dismal June, he started hitting again in the middle of July. I'm starting to wonder if there is such a thing as catcher that isn't a streak hitter.
Adam Lind: .210/.265/.314, 3 homers, 10 RBI. Yep, it was a lousy month for him. His gloved looked good though, not much of a trade off.
Aaron Hill: .213/.283/.292, 2 homers, 8 RBI. Well, he's been consistent, his OPS by month this year: .555, .659, .616, and .575. Consistent isn't always a compliment.
Yunel Escobar: .367/.462/.443, 0 HR, 10 RBI, 14 runs. His home run last night was his first since June 30 but if you get on base at a .462 rate, I'll overlook a month between bombs.
Jose Bautista: .316/.423/.646, 7 HR, 19 RBI. Player of the month again? He's looked pretty good at third base too, not that Brett Lawrie won't look good there.
Travis Snider: .287/.289/.471, 2 HR, 18 RBI, 1 walk. Just 1 walk. If he would some walks, it wouldn't be a bad looking line. 1 RBI less than Jose Bautista had.
Eric Thames: .277/.312/.485, 4 HR, 17 RBI. Pretty good numbers too. As I wouldn't mind if he'd get on base a bit more.
Rajai Davis: .260/.313/.377, 0 HR, 10 RBI, 13 stolen bases. I really like him as 4th outfielder. A really good role for him. Great speed, good defence and a pretty good bat against LHP.
Edwin Encarnacion: .313/.377/.531, 4 HR, 14 RBI. And 3 stolen bases. I've said it before, but I do wonder what kind of season he would have had if they didn't change around positions at the end of spring training. He's always been a slow starter though, so maybe it wouldn't have been that much different.
Corey Patterson: .200/.238/.225, 3 RBI.
John McDonald: .324/.316/.351, 6 RBI. 2 caught stealing. His contract runs out after this season. Do you figure we sign him again?
Jose Molina: .304/.333/.391, 2 RBI. Just 23 at bats. Same question as above.