6’3 shortstops do not exist. Shortstops who hit fourth in the order do not exist. Players who play in just 122 games and still finish in the top 5 in MVP voting do not exist. You do not get 5.6 WAR from a rookie earning under $400,000. It’s 2011: Mullets do not exist. The problem is that Troy Tulowitzki exists. How do we explain him? He’s A FREAK.
Look, I know I’m not breaking any new ground here but sometimes we need to take a moment, look at some silly numbers, and appreciate. Troy is putting up absurd numbers and production from a position most frequently held by defensive wizards. Lets take a moment to remember his September from 2010: he led all MLB players with 15 home runs, 40 RBI, 30 runs scored and an .800 slugging percentage. Only Babe Ruth had that many home runs and RBI in September history. He was just the fifth player in the last 50 years to drive in at least 40 runs in a calendar month. Ryan Howard did it in 2006, Ryan Klesko did it in 2001, Sammy Sosa in 1998, and Frank Howard in 1962. But, we’ve heard all this before. He’d cool down. Nobody’s that good.
Hello 2011. Hello Tulo’s mullet. Hello Tulo’s homeruns. Troy leads the Majors in home runs (7), slugging (.793), and OPS (1.259) through 16 games. So in case you forgot, that is 22 home runs in his last 44 games. Translate that over 162 games (just for fun) and we’re talking about 81 homers… Sorry Barry. And this guy is a shortstop!
Not only is he a shortstop, he’s one of the league’s top defenders at his position. He won the Gold Glove last year and as much of a popularity contest as that is, Tulo’s defensive numbers backed up the award. The Freak was second among qualified NL shortstops with, according to Baseball Info Solutions, 16 defensive runs saved. He also had the best fielding percentage (.984) and range factor (5.06) among all shortstops in the National League.
People say he hits like a young Nomar. I think he hits like a young Troy Tulowitzki: less average (Still hit .315 last year. Good for 10th in the Majors) but with more pop. People say he fields like a young Cal Ripken. I never saw a young Cal Ripken but he fields a bit better than the old Cal Ripken I watched for many years. Comparisons to those shortstop greats are warranted. This guy is unbelievable.
Do I think he can keep it up? No. Come on, 81 home runs? Something we’ve learned in this young year is just how good Tulo can be when he gets hot. He can carry a team and a city. The Rockies are in first place, own the best record in baseball (12-4), and have been playing without their ace (Ubaldo Jimenez). They are legit and I hope Tulo stays this hot all year…it should be fun to watch.
I’ve decided that I want to put a stat of the day at the end of every post (or first post that day). The stat could be historical, off the wall, or interesting. Today’s Stat of the Day: The Atlanta Braves have gotten zero production out of the No. 9 spot (pitchers and pinch hitters) in the order. 0-54 with 24 strikeouts. 0-54 with 24 strikeouts.
–Sean Morash
