Categories: AnalysisPosts

Raul Ibanez: Extra Base Machine

The early returns came to our newsroom at about 4 p.m. Sunday: Raul Ibanez is a hell of an offensive player.

Just innings after misplaying a line drive and grounding into a defeating double play, the new left fielder strode to the plate, hearing a collection of boos and “Rauuuuls.” Ryan Howard stood at first, the game stood at a one-run deficit, the crowd stood to attention and Ibanez locked in: One mammoth 2-0 swing later, and Ibanez rounded the bases — the bell chiming, the crowd rejoicing and Harry Kalas’ trademark call serenading him home.

Now Ibanez is a Phillie.

Sure we’re looking at small sample sizes (11 games), but so far, Ibanez has earned his keep in Philadelphia, regardless of the late-game heroics. Here are the numbers, with National League ranks in parenthesis:

Runs: 12 (T2)
Hits: 17 (T3)
Doubles: 4 (T4)
Home Runs: 5 (T1)
Total Bases: 38 (1)
On-Base Percentage: .438 (14)
Slugging Percentage: .864 (1)
Batting Average: .386 (5)

The most important statistics for our sake are the total bases and slugging percentage. Now, notice that I didn’t list runs batted in — his 10 make him tied for sixth in the National League. So, here’s a thought: What about moving Ibanez to the three-hole, pushing Chase Utley and Ryan Howard each down one spot in the lineup? It’s early, but the Phils could take full advantage of their hottest hitters this way.

That said, Ibanez is so far earning his keep.

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Tim Malcolm

Tim first found the Phillies as a little infant at Veteran’s Stadium, cheering on a Juan Samuel game-winning home run in his very first game. With the pinstripes in his blood, he witnessed Terry Mulholland’s 1990 no-hitter, “Steve Carlton Night” at the Vet, game three of the 1993 World Series, countless games during the charmed 2008 championship season and various road excursions. Since November 2007 Tim’s been writing about them daily at Phillies Nation, becoming one of the world’s most popular Phillies scribes. You can catch him on Twitter and Facebook, as well. When he’s not talking about the Phils he’s relaxing with a St. Bernardus ABT 12 or one of his many favored brews.

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