Archive for Dallas McPherson

The Oakland Athletics added a former top prospect via minor league free agency, signing Dallas McPherson to compete for the club’s third base job.

Earlier this decade, McPherson was the pride of the Angels’ farm system. A 6-4, 230 pound lefty batter with mammoth power, Dallas has destroyed minor league pitching for a career .296/.384/.586 line. In more than 1,100 PA at the AAA level, McPherson owns a .280/.360/.635 triple-slash.

Unfortunately, injuries have taken a serious toll on his career. McPherson was sidelined following hip surgery in 2005 and missed considerable time in 2006 with a herniated disc in his back.

Those were only the beginning of his problems, however. McPherson underwent back surgery in 2007, wiping away his entire season.

As a member of the Marlins organization in 2008, McPherson terrorized the Pacific Coast League. He compiled an eye-popping .275/.379/.618 line in 530 PA with Albuquerque. Dallas drew more walks than usual (14.5 BB%), while still whiffing at an alarming rate (37.5 K%).

However, Albuquerque is a hitter’s haven, and McPherson’s major league equivalent line was much less shiny. Per Minor League Splits, McPherson’s work at AAA in ’08 equated to a .201/.288/.410 MLB triple-slash .

Dallas inked a minor league deal with the Giants last off-season, but his chronic back issues sabotaged his season yet again. McPherson missed the entire 2009 campaign, going under the knife in July.

Now 29, McPherson still possesses scores of power. But he has been healthy just once in the past five years. In 399 career major league PA between the Angels and Marlins, McPherson holds a .245/.298/.458 line.

He has shown plenty of pop (.213 ISO), but little control of the zone (6.8 BB%, 34 K%). McPherson’s contact rate at the highest level is just 63.9%, compared to the 80-81% MLB average. L.A.’s second round pick in the 2001 draft has scorched fastballs (+1.12 runs/100 pitches), while flailing at anything that dips or darts as it reaches home plate (-1.0 vs. sliders, -1.07 vs. curveballs, -2.85 vs. changeups).

McPherson is worth keeping an eye on, as he could be a placeholder at the hot corner until Brett Wallace is ready (assuming Wallace can cut it at third, that is). However, it’s worth asking if McPherson can play a capable third these days, given all of his physical woes.

Detroit Tigers
Released DH Gary Sheffield.

Sheff cooked up some sour numbers in 2008, posting a mild .323 wOBA with a .225/.326/.400 line in 482 PA. His BABIP was a low .237, but the 40 year-old has been plagued by shoulder maladies and could be destined to join Fred McGriff in the “can someone pleeease sign me so I can get to 500 homers?” club. His inability to play the field limits his utility to potential employers. Sheffield may latch on somewhere else, but it’s been one heck of a career for the quick-wristed nomad. Sheff has a career .393 wOBA; he was highly productive everywhere he played, save for an unpleasant tenure in Milwaukee. Yet, he’s played for seven different teams, and could be on the verge of number eight. Abrasive? seemingly. Highly skilled? Undoubtedly.

Florida Marlins
Released 1B Dallas McPherson.

Following McPherson’s release, the Marlins lean further to the right than Fox News: bench bats Paulino, Helms, Andino and Carroll all bat from the right.

A Three True Outcomes hitter, McPherson was once a mammoth prospect with the Angels. Alas, back issues and serious qualms about contact ability have sufficiently road blocked his major league aspirations. A 6-4, 230 pound lefty, McPherson has a career .296/.380/.586 line in the minors. He was positively radioactive as an Isotope last season, batting .275/.379/.618 with 42 bombs. Don’t get too excited, though: he’s 28 and whiffed nearly 38% of the time with Albuquerque. His home park inflated runs by 18% over the 2006-2008 seasons, boosting tater production by 17 percent. As a result, Dallas’ Major League Equivalent line (MLE) was a far less tasty .201/.288/.410.

Houston Astros
Acquired INF Jeff Keppinger from the Reds in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations.

With Aaron Boone out of commission and Geoff Blum…being Geoff Blum, the ‘Stros wanted an extra infielder to help out on the left side of the infield. Keppinger essentially never whiffs (career 5.6 %), but that’s about the extent of his offensive virtues: he’s a career .287/.338/.390 hitter. The former Pirate, Met, Royal and Red will likely take on the responsibilities that were supposed to go to Boone, facing southpaws as part of a hot corner platoon with Blum. In 300 career major league PA versus lefties, Keppinger has managed a .351/.403/.515 line. I suppose it’s possible that Houston could shift Tejada to third and install Kep as short. However, both UZR (-19.3 runs/150 games) and Plus/Minus (-20 over the past 2 seasons) would kindly suggest that they don’t, thanks.

If you want a secret source of power for your NL-only 2009 fantasy teams look no further than Dallas McPherson. The former top third base prospect with the Los Angels Angels, whose career was beset by injuries, rejuvenated his career in 2008 by blasting 42 home runs for Triple-A Albuquerque. His ISO was a Ryan Howard-like at .344. His 2008 triple-slash numbers were .275/.380/.618.

McPherson, who profiles as a MLB first baseman, will be 28 in 2009 and in his prime. Florida has an opening at first base – unless they shift Dan Uggla over from second base or decide to go with rookie Gaby Sanchez. If McPherson comes into spring training in 2008-form, he should have every opportunity to do his best poor-man’s Howard impression (or worst-case scenario… Russell Branyan), which will include a low batting average, a ton of strikeouts… but also a healthy number of walks and power, power, and more power. Including his 11 September 2008 at-bats, McPherson has a career MLB line of .245/.298/.458 in 371 at-bats.

This kind of left-handed power does not grow on trees. At Triple-A in 2008, McPherson launched his 42 homers in 448 at-bats, while also posting rates of 14.5 BB% and 37.5 K%. An encouraging sign from this past season is that McPherson stole 14 bases – in 20 attempts – which suggests his back injuries truly are a thing of the past. The former second round draft pick still struggles against left-handed pitching and hit just .231/.320/.537 against southpaws in Triple-A. He also hits much better when he is ahead in the count (.400), than he does when he’s in the hole (.136)… suggesting his approach could still use a little work (grip-and-rip doesn’t work well with two strikes).