152 replies to this topic

[sodenj5]

Middlebrooks is slated to begin his 2008 season with the Lowell Spinners, per SoxProspects

[sodenj5]

In his first 3 games, Middlebrooks is batting .200 with one run, one SB, one BB, and 7 Ks. Currently sporting a line of .200/.273/.200

[sodenj5]

Some first hand reports coming in from the fine people over at SoxProstpects:

Will Middlebrooks has a very open stance. He hold his hands very high as they are just about over his head. Middlebrooks has pretty quick wrists, but in the couple of AB's looked to be trying to yank everything thrown to him. The ball sounds good on contact coming off his bat. In the field, he looked comfortable at 3B. He made an error on a throw, but had solid footwork on the couple of plays that came his way. His arm is as good as advertised.

He looked the same as when I saw him in ST. I don't remember his hands being so high in his stance, but I was at a different angle the other night in Lowell than before. In his first AB on Tuesday night, he swung at a first pitch fastball and knocked it to SS. It was good contact, but right at the SS. In his 2nd AB, he went down swinging on a slider. In his 3rd AB, he went down swinging on a fastball I believe. Forgot to write the pitch down. His swing looked a little pull happy like he was trying to yank the ball. Especially in the 2nd AB. I'm sure there are some nerves as well as wanting to start off with a bang.

Comments: He needs to work on his pitch recognition. Some of the called strikes were right down the plate and the swinging strikes weren't close. It appeared it was a breaking ball of some sort that got him in his first at bat. Even on one of the balls that wasn't close he almost went around. He has an interesting stance. He holds his hands very high. His right foot sits on the inside edge of the batters box while his left is on the outside. His front leg is very stiff. I believe this open stance leaves him very susceptible to outside pitches.

In the field he appeared to have decent range and a very strong arm. He did fumble one ball but recovered to make the out.

Regarding Middlebrooks' stance and susceptibility to outside pitches, you are right of course. On the other hand, a wide open stance can be successful if he also has the ability to "flick" outside pitches to the opposite field. It'll be interesting to see if that's the case and to see if that's why the Sox didn't try to change it during XST. You can pull with a lot of power that way

It appears that they're playing Middlebrooks at 3B and Dent at SS. I wonder if they're going to keep Middlebrooks at third, or rotate he and Dent at 3B and SS, and Dent between SS and 2B.

Edited by sodenj5, 22 June 2008 - 11:56 AM.

[sodenj5]

Middlebrooks continues to struggle in his pro debut with his average now down to .189 with only one extra base hit in 10 games. Season line is .189/.244/.216 with 13 strikeouts and 3 walks.

[sodenj5]

After a rough start to the season, its gotten rougher for Middlebrooks. He's now 0 for his last 17 at the plate and his current average on the season is .180, with a .227 OBP and 2 XBHs, a triple and a double, with 3 rbis.

[sodenj5]

Middlebrooks is still hovering around the Mendoza line, but he's put a couple of decent games together in his last 10 starts. Still K'ing way too much and hardly ever walking:

Year to Date

AVG	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	TB	BB	S0	SB	CS	OBP	SLG	OPS
0.187	27	91	7	17	2	1	0	5	21	5	33	3	0	0.227	0.231	0.458

[sodenj5]

Middlebrooks put together a very respectable last 10 days, and has finally gotten above the Mendoza line, while hitting his first home run of his professional career.

Last 10 Days

AVG	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	TB	BB	S0	SB	CS	OBP	SLG	OPS
0.290	10	31	2	9	3	0	1	7	15	2	11	2	0	0.227	0.231	0.458

[sodenj5]

Nice to see that he's starting to drive the ball, with the 3 doubles and dinger. Still striking out way more than he's walking.

Year to Date

AVG	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	TB	BB	SO	SB	CS	OBP	SLG	OPS
0.220	32	109	8	24	4	0	1	10	33	6	39	4	0	0.256	0.303	0.559

[theflinger]

Middlebrooks put together a very respectable last 10 days, and has finally gotten above the Mendoza line, while hitting his first home run of his professional career.

Last 10 Days

AVG	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	TB	BB	S0	SB	CS	OBP	SLG	OPS
0.290	10	31	2	9	3	0	1	7	15	2	11	2	0	0.227	0.231	0.458

I think at least the OBP is off on that table...here's the last 10 games played: http://web.minorleag...t...&pid=519025

[SoxScout]

His last 10 games are: .290/.355/.484

His K-rate still sucks

Edited by SoxScout, 27 July 2008 - 02:47 PM.

[sodenj5]

Middlebrooks still struggling, including having back-to-back 3 K nights on 8/7 and 8/8. A bright note is he's 6/6 in stolen base attempts. Still K'ing far too often, and not walking often enough.

Year To Date

AVG	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	TB	BB	S0	SB	CS	OBP	SLG	OPS
0.241	46	162	15	39	11	1	1	15	55	10	55	6	0	0.282	0.34	0.621

[sodenj5]

Same ole' for Middlebrooks. He seems to hit in spurts, when he does hit. It makes me wonder with all the k's, whether or not he's taking a lot of pitches to try and work the count, and then striking out once he's down in the count, or if he's just got bad plate discipline, and needs to work on his pitch selection at the plate. Still not walking very much and K'ing a lot.

Year to Date

AVG	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	TB	BB	S0	SB	CS	OBP	SLG	OPS
0.237	54	190	16	45	13	2	1	17	65	11	66	7	0	0.276	0.342	0.618

[templeUsox]

Will Middlebrooks rockets a single into CF

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WMB hits a game-tying HR

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Will steals 2B

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Will doubles down the line

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WMB hits a 2B to CF.

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[sodenj5]

Middlebrooks was named the SoxProspects player of the week for the week of 9/1-9/7, batting .421/.500/.632, with 4 doubles, 5 runs, 4 RBIs, and 3 SBs.

[amarshal2]

Chris Mellen of SoxProspects.com's Q&A with Will Middlebrooks

[sodenj5]

Middlebrooks was voted best infield arm by BA.

[amarshal2]

Chris Mellen has posted his Will Middlebrooks Prospect Preview at SoxProspects.com.

Edited by amarshal2, 11 February 2009 - 04:16 PM.

[SoxScout]

Middlebrooks tore his hamstring during drills this weekend, and will likely be out through April, possibly longer ...

http://soxprospects....ort-report.html

You have got to be kidding me.

[someoneanywhere]

Genuine suckitude. Of all the guys I looked forward to seeing in Greenville, Middlebrooks was the one I was really waiting for. If I don't have to wait longer than June, I'll consider myself lucky.

[sodenj5]

Wow, that truly sucks. Hope for a speedy recovery for WMB. Hopefully they let it heal properly and it isn't a recurring, nagging injury. A real shame because it seemed like he was finally starting to put it together at the end of last year, and I was looking forward to seeing some progression. I also wonder if this will affect his speed game. He isn't Jacoby or anything, but he was certainly a threat to steal.

[sodenj5]

According to SoxProspects, Middlebrooks is currently ahead of schedule rehabbing from his torn hamstring, and is currently on pace to return sometime in April.

[sodenj5]

According to SoxProspects.com, Middlebrooks may return to Greenville as early as next week.

Edited by sodenj5, 17 April 2009 - 02:40 PM.

[SoxScout]

Will returned to action tonight, starting at 3B for Greenville.

[sodenj5]

Middlebrooks has been active for the last week. Stats are as follows:

Will Middlebrooks

AVG	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	TB	BB	S0	SB	CS	OBP	SLG	OPS
0.211	5	19	4	4	3	0	0	4	7	1	9	1	1	0.238	0.368	0.607

[Cuzittt]

Plus four outfield assists in the past 2 games.

[John DiFool]

I worry about the third base logjam affecting both him and Almanzar. Lately one plays 3rd while the other plays OF or DHs; that should only be a short-term solution.

[LondonSox]

Plus four outfield assists in the past 2 games.

His infield arm is so good it's the best outfield arm too!
I agree I hate to see him in the OF vs at 3B

[someoneanywhere]

If he keeps looking like he looked last night -- lost; it was eerily like watching Jason Place when he was here -- no worries about logjams or anything else.

I know, I know, it's early. But he was utterly perplexed at the plate yesterday.

[amarshal2]

If he keeps looking like he looked last night -- lost; it was eerily like watching Jason Place when he was here -- no worries about logjams or anything else.

I know, I know, it's early. But he was utterly perplexed at the plate yesterday.

That's the way he looked in Lowell to begin the year last year. He turned it around eventually.

[sodenj5]

He has 3 doubles in 5 games. Don't forget, he's just coming back after missing about a month. I think he'll be fine.

[OCD SS]

I worry about the third base logjam affecting both him and Almanzar. Lately one plays 3rd while the other plays OF or DHs; that should only be a short-term solution.

Are they splitting time at RF or LF? I wouldn't be surprised if Almanzar went the Miggy Cabrera route to the OF...

[sodenj5]

After a pretty solid start to the season, returning from the DL, Middlebrooks is currently slumping in Greenville.

Middlebrooks' Last 10 Games

AVG	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	TB	BB	S0	SB	CS
0.118	10	34	6	4	0	0	0	5	4	5	13	0	0

Middlebrooks YTD

AVG	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	TB	BB	S0	SB	CS	OBP	SLG	OPS
0.140	16	57	10	8	3	0	0	9	11	6	24	1	1	0.215	0.193	0.408

[sodenj5]

Middlebrooks is finally starting to turn it on in Greenville. Numbers on the year are still mediocre, but has been hitting well in his last 10 games.

Middlebrooks Year to Date

AVG	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	TB	BB	S0	SB	CS	OBP	SLG	OPS
0.214	34	117	19	25	7	0	2	15	38	17	41	2	2	0.314	0.325	0.639

Middlebrooks Last 10 Games

AVG	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB	CS
0.306	10	36	6	11	3	0	2	5	5	9	1	0

[sodenj5]

A blurb on Middlebrooks from SoxProspects.com's The Ladder:

TRENDING UP:
Will Middlebrooks has found his stride in June, posting a .946 OPS so far this month. After struggling with strikeouts to start the season, he has been cutting down on them and producing a lot more solid contact. The biggest need for Middlebrooks has been to improve his raw pitch recognition and patience at the plate. These look to be taking a step forward, as he’s been much more patient this season and has drawn 20 walks in 141 total at-bats after only walking 12 times in 209 at-bats with Lowell last season. Middlebrooks has flashed some of the power that he is projected to develop down the line in the month of June, cracking 4 doubles, 1 triple, and 2 home runs, good for a .549 slugging percentage.

[Rough Carrigan]

Glad to see it. Hope he starts to blossom. He was regarded as having huge promise when first drafted and one thing after another's stopped the poor guy from performing.

[EastCoasterOutWest]

Middlebrooks hit a grand slam today v Charleston pitcher Kapala

Edited by EastCoasterOutWest, 01 July 2009 - 12:34 PM.

[ngruz25]

Great to see Middlebrooks turning it on.

Here's a question: If this just turns out to be a hot streak and he ends up finishing the season with something around his current .652 OPS, do the Sox think about moving him back to the mound? I recall he was considered a top prospect both in the infield and as a pitcher. He's still very young (20, turning 21 this fall).

[Plympton91]

Well, Middlebrooks followed up a very good June with, so far, another good month in July. It will be fun to watch if he continues to build on this success in August. The K rate is still quite a bit higher than you'd like for a player in his second year of low-A. OTOH, if he'd gone to college, you wouldn't even have a chance to see him at Lowell until next June--so it's important to be a little patient with these guys and that is especially so given the Red Sox propensity to make large adjustments to their prospects' approaches.

Edited by Plympton91, 27 July 2009 - 10:36 PM.

[Quintanariffic]

Well, Middlebrooks followed up a very good June with, so far, another good month in July. It will be fun to watch if he continues to build on this success in August. The K rate is still quite a bit higher than you'd like for a player in his second year of low-A. OTOH, if he'd gone to college, you wouldn't even have a chance to see him at Lowell until next June--so it's important to be a little patient with these guys and that is especially so given the Red Sox propensity to make large adjustments to their prospects' approaches.

WMB with another 2 bombs today. His line in June/July through today's game (credit to amfox) is .298/.370/.516. Still too many Ks, but if he keeps that up, he's certainly one to watch.

[sodenj5]

Check out Middlebrooks' last 10 games, including the aforementioned 2 HR game.

WMB Last 10 Games

AVG	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	S0	SB	CS
0.371	10	35	8	13	4	0	3	13	5	14	1	0

I believe it was around this time last year that he really started putting things together. It'll be interesting to watch him the rest of the year. Still K'ing a bit, but at least now he's making consistent contact, and driving the ball.

WMB Year to Date

AVG	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	TB	BB	S0	SB	CS	OBP	SLG	OPS
0.251	69	243	35	61	16	1	7	42	100	32	85	4	3	0.337	0.412	0.748

[gammoseditor]

WMB has clearly been on fire since the start of June, but his strikeout rate, even through this hot streak, is way too high. His numbers are also supported by BABIP's that have to be a function of luck as it's slightly over .400 over that time span.

[sodenj5]

WMB named SoxProspects.com's Player of the Week for the week of 7/27/09-8/2/09.

[sodenj5]

Fire Brand of the American League did a Q&A with WMB.

Statistically, you had a tough introduction to pro ball last year in Lowell. You moved a level up and seem to have really improved your plate discipline as well as cranking out some more home runs. What happened? Was it simply an adjustment period, or did you specifically work on an aspect of your game that is paying off?

Last year I came into the season without a plan or an approach at the plate, mainly because in high school you don't need one. Once you reach this level, the talent of the pitchers is high enough where you have to be smarter. Pitchers throw any pitch anytime for strikes now, so I got with my hitting coach and started to develop an approach at the plate. It was definitely a slow process... it's not something you just say you're gonna do and you do it your next at bat... its something you have to consistently work into your cage work, batting practice, then translate that in to the game situations. The last month of last year and this year it's finally starting to become a habit and results started to come from that.

Check it out.

[someoneanywhere]

WMB has clearly been on fire since the start of June, but his strikeout rate, even through this hot streak, is way too high. His numbers are also supported by BABIP's that have to be a function of luck as it's slightly over .400 over that time span.

Just as an observation, but one I think that clicks with the post immediately above this one: he has, of late, been able to use the whole field, including a couple of balls the other night (one of which was an out) that he struck solidly and took to right. He hadn't been able to do this in the first half. And so while it may be that the the K rate is still higher than you'd like to see, it's also a function, at least to my eyes, of working out an approach that has him staying back. You can get punched out by jumping in front of balls all the time or by being utterly confused at the plate -- that was Jason Place's issue when he was here -- but it appears that WMB's punchouts of late are more heartening and "developmental," in that he's working through the approach and, at times, succeeding admirably.

[sodenj5]

After an injury marred, abysmal start to the year, it seems that Middlebrooks has turned a big corner, and after being named the Red Sox's Prospect of the Month for July, is now consistently hitting, and hitting well for the Drive.

WMB Last 10 Games

AVG	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	S0	SB	CS
0.316	10	38	6	12	2	0	0	3	6	11	0	0

WMB Year to Date

AVG	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	TB	BB	S0	SB	CS	OBP	SLG	OPS
0.267	95	345	49	92	24	3	7	54	143	41	112	5	4	0.345	0.414	0.760

[sodenj5]

SoxProspects.com wrote up their 2010 Prospect Preview on WMB:

2010 Outlook: With a strong camp, Middlebrooks should be able to earn himself a spot manning the hot corner for the Salem Red Sox out of the gate in 2010. A placement in High-A will be a good challenge for him and test the improvements he made with his patience during the 2009 season...Strong improvement with his approach and pitch recognition in 2010 could lead Middlebrooks to being one of those young hitters that experiences a breakout and propels himself up the ranks of the system, with a more clear focus of his potential arrival in seasons to come.

[ItOnceWasMyLife]

And so it has come to pass.

Will will start the 2010 season with high A Salem.

Here's to building on a strong second-half of '09 for the young man.

[sodenj5]

Middlebrooks is off to a...good start? Seems strange to type that after the abysmal starts that he's gotten off to the last 2 years. Here's his line thus far:

WMB Year to Date

AVG	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	Ks	SB	OBP	SLG	OPS
0.323	8	31	6	10	4	0	0	3	5	10	0	0.432	0.452	0.884

Still striking out a bit, but he's also drawing some walks, and 4 of his 10 hits have gone for doubles. Nice to see him start they year where he left off last year.

[SoxScout]

It's almost like he is picking one tiny zone in which he will swing, and is laying off everything else.. .476 BABIP, 14% BB%, 28% K%

[sodenj5]

WMB maintains his hot hitting for league leading Salem. Again his BB:K ratio is still a little skewed, but over his last 10 games, he has 6 walks v. 5 k's with a .452 OBP. Between the way he finished last year, and the pace he's at right now, how much longer until he gets consideration for a callup to Portland? Obviously you want him to have some sustained success at Salem, and there are certain objectives the the front office has laid out for him, but he's absolutely raking in A ball.

WMB Year to Date

Team	League	AVG	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	TB	BB	SO	SB	CS	OBP	SLG	OPS
SAL	CAR	.356	24	90	22	32	11	0	3	15	52	12	21	3	0	.442	.578	1.020