Ramon Castro said yesterday in an interview after the game that Brent Lillibridge was the White Sox’s “secret weapon”. This has really held true this season with every game, Lillibridge is doing something that you would not expect from him. Whether it be a clutch hit to take the lead or, like last night, be a catch that literally saves the game. With the way he is performing there are many Sox fans pining for Lillibridge to start over Juan Pierre in left field. I think this may be the perfect time to start that movement.
Quite simply, I believe, you have to play the player that is hot at the time and is going to give your team the best chance to win. This year, Lillibridge has played four positions: all of the outfield positions as well as second base. In all 71 chances he has had to make plays he has made the out all 71 times, not to mention some of those catches being highlight reel catches as well as more than a couple game savers. In his career he has also played time at third base as well as short stop. Brent Lillibridge can very literally almost play every position on the baseball field which is such a dangerous weapon to have. Not to mention he is someone who has been producing at the plate this year having an OBP of .375, with more home-runs then many prolific power hitters in the game right now. Bottom line is this: Brent Lillibridge is getting called on to make plays and he is simply getting the job done.
Juan Pierre on the other hand is someone who has been declining in the field as well as at the plate. Granted Juan has had more chances to make plays in left field, he already has 5 errors this season, not to mention, while some of Lillibridge’s catches have saved games for the Sox, some of Pierre’s errors have cost the White Sox games. Offensively as well, Pierre is just hitting .255 with an OBP of only .322. For your lead-off hitter you need to be getting on base more than that, it’s just that important. Is Juan Pierre a fantastic hard worker? Of course, in fact he may work harder on this team than anyone else, and Ozzie sees it. The fact of the matter is he is getting older and becoming more of a liability in the field and I think Ozzie needs to recognize this and make the move.
I really believe that Lillibridge should be out there every day until he proves that he cannot play every day. With the White Sox now being only 4.5 games back in a central division that is just ready for the taking, the Sox need the best team on the field as often as they can, and I believe with Lillibridge in there we are a better team.
…I really never thought that I would say that.
Original Story:
http://www.whitesoxrant.com/2011/06/b...
