Out in the Desert

Man on Fire

By Devin Jessup | July 28th, 2008

This team is tremendously streaky- yes, nearly an understatement. But that streak is finally starting to turn to the favor of wins- 6 of the last 8, That is certainly a good sign- we haven’t managed that since the end of April. It’s pretty necessary, too- the Dodgers and Rockies are starting to come out of their comas, and this division is far from won. We’re only a game ahead of LA- nexty weekend, when we go to Los Angeles for a four game series, could have some big implications on our plans for October.

Now, it’s hard to say what exactly has brought this team out of the slumber that’s kept them looking so apathetic for so long. As much as we (as fans) like to be able to point at one thing and identify the turning point, that’s not really how things work. We can’t say, for certain, if it was trading for Rauch, or bringing back Clark, or some different coaching, and it’s probably several different factors that even the players couldn’t fully identify. It’s a weird game like that. But if I was going to give in to that fan urge and point to one thing?

Conor Jackson.

This is just why I can’t understand the “let’s trade Conor Jackson for Mark Teixeira” nonsense that a lotof columnists are throwing around- CoJack is by far our best player at the plate. He’s leading the team in batting average, slugging percentage, runs created, and BB/K. He’s second on the team in runs, triples, RBIs, walks, and total bases. He’s the only player on the team who’s walked more times than he’s struck out. Regardless of the situation in left field, why would we give the player with the sixth best OBP in the NL for a (much more expensive) rental player in Tex? Particularly since he’s been so hot over the past couple weeks. Just look at the numbers he’s put up in July: .368/.427/.609. They’re even more insane over the past week or so, where he’s posted a 1.517 OPS since the All Star Break. Obviously unsustainable, but very impressive.

Now, take all those numbers, and add on the fact that, with Eric Byrnes injured, Conor made the move to cover left field, which has been a big benefit to the team. It’s kept the team from having to go trade off prospects to bring in a left fielder. It has solidified the lineup, bringing in three of our big guns at once- Jackson, Tracy, and Reynolds- when we previously could only get two on the field at once. I think it’s also set a good example of a player making a sacrifice- going to a position he’s not accustomed to- in order to help the team, for the greater good, as Frank Butterman would say. And while CoJack may not be a brilliant left-fielder, he’s doing pretty well, and not much worse than Byrnes was doing- CoJack has a RZR of .917, versus Byrnes’s .928.

Of course, that isn’t the only reason. The offense has improved nearly across the board- in June, only Mark Reynolds put together an OBP above .800, and in July, six members of the lineup have managed it. The team is looking good on nearly every front, and it’s been a lot more fun to watch. But thanks to his particularly impressive stretch lately, Conor deserves a little extra recognition.

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