A bit unfair to pick just on Bill Hall, when Rickie Weeks and Mike Cameron suck just as badly. Personally, I'd be happy to see all three benched right now.
The difference with these three, in my opinion, is that Hall has been this way consistently since the beginning of last year. Last year, it was blamed on him learning a new position. Obviously, that excuse can't be used this year. Rickie has been disappointing, as has our 2nd hitter, especially when it comes to "setting the table" for Braun and Fielder, but, unlike Hall, Rickie has shown flashes of his potential (late last year to be specific), and is willing to "lean into one" now and then to help the OPB. Also with Rickie, you get a very smart and fast base runner. Hall has decent speed, but can't steal a base, as I believe someone already mentioned. Although a gifted athlete, he just doesn't have a lot of baseball "smarts", as was evident by his inability to adapt in center last year. I will give Cameron the benefit of the doubt for awhile longer. He very well could still be adjusting after his absence, but he needs to pick it up too. I'm still not convinced he's the right fit for the 2 slot anyway. He strikes out too much, but Yost is stubborn, and will probably keep him there regardless.
This collective failure means you have to start questioning what sort of coaching the club is getting.
I agree. Skaalen seems to be very even keeled as Rock has pointed out many times. Actually, our whole management staff, Yost included, seems to make a very conscious effort to avoid making waves with their players. I don't agree with this. Sometimes, it is necessary to get tough on a guy or guys when they deserve it. Usually, as pointed out in a recent telecast, there are one or two guys on a coaching staff that are known for cracking the whip per say. The Brewers coaching staff doesn't seem to have any of these guys. Especially with our younger players, this could be a good indicator of their recent plate troubles. Many of these young guys are still very used to coming up through the farm system, college before that, high school, etc, where there were repercutions for not adhering to a hitting coaches advice. At those levels, if you've worked on not pulling the ball all week, and you go up to the plate during a game trying to pull the ball, you sure as hell are going to get your ass chewed, possibly in front of your teammates. Not to mention a shorter leash regarding being benched.
I think some of our young guys might still need this type of accountability. Skaalen would rather give the other pitchers credit, or say something to the effect of "there hitting the ball well, it's just bad luck". BS! Being a self proclaimed intelligent baseball fan, it's pretty easy to tell when a player has a good approach or a crappy one in any given at bat. Mostly, especially with Hall, Cameron, and Weeks, their approach for any given at bat sucks, even more so in situational hitting.
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