[ralph]

Just thought I'd pass this along:

Looking stronger after a rigorous winter weight program, Shane Halter said he plans to hit 20 home runs and have 100 RBI this season.


From this article:
http://detnews.com/2002/tigers/0202/25/d04-426085.htm

I don't particularly believe this will happen. But, in AL-only leagues, it's something to keep in mind. He'll almost certainly be better than a few AL shortstops anyway...



EDIT: Well, a couple weeks into spring training and halter is hitting .500 in 22 ab. Pretty much without power though. I still wouldn't want him on my team. But again, it's worth passing along.

[Flyman]

Originally posted by ralph
Just thought I'd pass this along:

Looking stronger after a rigorous winter weight program, Shane Halter said he plans to hit 20 home runs and have 100 RBI this season.

Yeah, and I plan on winning every league I'm in this year, too. (for those who don't know, I'm not in any leagues this year). Halter thinks he's going to hit 20 HRs while playing half his games in Comerica??? Uh huh...it's called reality, Shane.

[jtoohott]

Shane Halter's career statistics:

1997 KC 74 Games Played 2HR 10 RBI .276 AVG
1998 KC 86 Games Played 2 HR 13 RBI .221 AVG
1999 NYM 7 Games Played 0HR 0 RBI .000 AVG
2000 DET 105 Games Played 3HR 27 RBI .261 AVG
2001 DET 136 Games Played 12HR 65 RBI .284 AVG

Career Stats 408 Games Played 19 HR 115 RBI .265 AVG

So this guy thinks he will exceed his career HR total in one season playing in the worst ballpark in baseball. This guy has never been an everyday player until sort of last year. He'll be lucky to have a season like Joe Randa and I don't think he's half the player Randa is!

Jamie

[BuzzBomb]

He's better than Felix Martinez!!! I'd rather have him than Neifi Perez...but if someone thinks he'll hit 20 HR's and wants to bid him up to $15, that's fine with me....they can have him!!!

[Frank]

Somehow I am going assure that the other thirteen owners in my local AL only league are aware of this "disinformation"......

I believe it's time for a BK steroids blast..LOL

[TranaGreg]

Absolutely right on Frank - this is very valuable news ... so I'll try to make sure everyone else in my league finds this out! Now all it takes is for a few of them to perceive it as information instead of disinformation.

[rotomaniac]

If you want a REAL breakout candidate at SS, try Guzman...love that kid.

Mike L.

[Popfly]

Shane Halter's days are numbered at the SS position in Detroit. Look for Omar Infante to press Halter in Spring Training.

Although Infante hasn't hit above AA, the Tigers are pushing to get him in the majors. It may be too soon, but many analysts think this kid can play in the majors. He finished 8th in BA in the Eastern League (Erie). His stats:

NAME (team) AVG AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB
Omar Infante (Erie) .302 540 86 163 21 4 2 62 27

He finished third in hits, sixth in runs and seventh in stolen bases. He'll be 20 this season (unless visa problems prove differently). He's one to watch closely in Spring Training.

For more info:
http://www.detroitnews.com/2001/tige...d04-301774.htm

The Tigers and Halter are playing up last season. The Tigers would like to trade him. There's no room for a 31-year-old shortstop to grow as much as Halter believes he will.

In the AL, I look for David Eckstein to put up even better numbers in his second full season, especially from leadoff, where 30+ steals is possible.

[Flyman]

Originally posted by rotomaniac
If you want a REAL breakout candidate at SS, try Guzman...love that kid.

Mike L.

Hey, jump in line, buddy. Cristian Guzman has been my boy for a few years now, right along with Luis Rivas. In fact, in my main league last year, I had Guzman for $1 and Rivas for $2...love 'em both. In fact, very FEW believed me (including Bob ) refused to believe me when I said that Guzman would hit no lower than .280 and would touch double-digit HRs. I got laughed at and picked on, but look at what happened in 2001.

OH...OUCH! I think I pulled a muscle patting myself on the back.

Anyway, I would look for Guzman's BA to drop back into the .270-.280 range with 10-12 HRs and 35 or so SBs. And while it would seem logical for Rivas to suffer a sophomore slump because of his batting eye ratio, I think he'll avoid it for the most part and will instead show some improvements. He may or may not improve on the SB total, but I think his SLG % will increase, as will his walk total.

[Pitbull]

The Tigers would be smarter to let Infante play at AAA and then call him up. Then again having Halter at SS doesn't offer too much. Not only is he a poor hitter he isn't really that good of a fielding SS. If Smith was happy with him then they would not be trying to trade Halter so I can see the Tigers would love Infante to have a great spring. Halter at best is a $1-$2 pick.

[onejayhawk]

I personally like that kid in Seattle, though I think hes gone to another team. Name like a motorcycle: H-Rod, A-dog, G-Hog or something like that.

Seriously I am inclined to think that Halter stays at SS for a couple months at least. The Tigers are known for their patience, even when action is called for.

Of course the way he and Infante play in ST matters as is the way they hit to start the season. What you have here is a seasoned player that takes ayoung threat seriously. That is not a bad thing.

J

[ralph]

Well, a couple weeks into spring training and Halter is hitting .500 in 22 ab. Pretty much without power though. I still wouldn't want him on my team. But again, it's worth passing along.