The myth about JJ's batting average in ST determining whether he makes the team

[ramfandan]

FYI For those that could not view today's game , it is being shown on MLB Network at 5 a.m. Thurs. (tomorrow ) morning.

According to my Guide on DirecTV

[imyourhuckleberry]

What myth?

He made the team the moment the Donovan trade was finalized. The balls will find holes eventually or he'll just start hitting them out. I have zero doubts JJW will hit.

[ramfandan]

What myth?

He made the team the moment the Donovan trade was finalized. The balls will find holes eventually or he'll just start hitting them out. I have zero doubts JJW will hit.

The myth was that some were saying that a good batting JJ's average was necessary for him to make the team.
Most posters knew that was not true . Everything you stated is true yet a few on CT were saying otherwise .

[imyourhuckleberry]

What myth?

He made the team the moment the Donovan trade was finalized. The balls will find holes eventually or he'll just start hitting them out. I have zero doubts JJW will hit.

The myth was that some were saying that a good batting JJ's average was necessary for him to make the team.
Most posters knew that was not true . Everything you stated is true yet a few on CT were saying otherwise .

Sorry, I misunderstood.

"Some" either know nothing or are just trying to stir stuff up.

[RamFan08NY]

More than one poster stated on CT that if JJW has a poor batting average in ST , he won't (or should not ) make the final roster and be sent back to Memphis. Bloom , on the other hand, stated long before camp that "JJ's batting average in ST will not be a determing factor.'

Well, thus far Bloom is spot on and a few posters way off target .

Offensively , JJ has a batting average of .000 . He is yet to get a hit but look how productive he has been despite that fact.
In 3 games he has drawn a walk in every game. He has scored a run for his team in each of those 'walks' . Twice from 3rd base and today part of Gorman's 3 run homer.
Correct me if I am wrong, but I don't believe JJ has struck out yet this spring. On each of his outs, he has put the ball in the field of play .
His bat to ball skills are playing as advertised. In 2025, JJ had a low 14.7% strike out rate with Double A and Triple A combined.
So don't get too hung up on batting average in ST. JJ has been productive in his starts this year .
With drawing three walks and scoring all 3 times, one can see why many want him to continue as a leadoff hitter for the 2026 squad as he mostly did in 2025 in the minors. Low strikeout rate, putting batted balls in play , and drawing numerous walks are ideal characteristics for leadoff spot not to mention speed to steal 2nd base.
Finally ,someone said if JJ only bats .100 in ST no way he makes the team . Think again !

He will make it by default but if he does not improve you can’t really say he earned it.

Improve ? Meaning what ..He has either walked or put every ball in play . How does one change where the ball goes in the field of play to get a hit.S For example, one can hit 4 hard hit grounders but right at the fielders ..all outs ..other times the grounders go between the fielder. A batter can hit 5 line drives to the outfield either right at the OF or a running catch .. other times the balls go down the line or safely go in the gaps.
This has been a very small sample size . In what way does JJ need to improve his batted balls that have been all outs ?

And, if hes had 4 broken bat bloops over the second baseman head, this thread would have gone in a completely different direction.
I agree that you cant judge him right now by BA. He hasn't struck out, and he walks. If that keeps up, hes right where he belongs, and in the lineup every day.

[clemonsonroots]

Dude is taking walks and getting on base. Best sign that you could hope for. He is a hitter. This will come.

[casey1024]

I've learned through the years not to get wrapped up in ST stats. For instance....I believe Contreras tore it up in Florida last spring and went on to go something like 4 for 50 with no power to start the season. Might have been the year before. ST= practice.....nothing more....nothing less.

[sikeston bulldog2]

Much is made of his walks and three runs scored. My question. How did he get in scoring position from a walk. One run came on a Gorman homer. Did he steal second the other two times. Did we play small ball.

The fact that he has scored three times on walks in three games goes to the hitters who have driven him home.

[Absolut]

More than one poster stated on CT that if JJW has a poor batting average in ST , he won't (or should not ) make the final roster and be sent back to Memphis. Bloom , on the other hand, stated long before camp that "JJ's batting average in ST will not be a determing factor.'

Well, thus far Bloom is spot on and a few posters way off target .

Offensively , JJ has a batting average of .000 . He is yet to get a hit but look how productive he has been despite that fact.
In 3 games he has drawn a walk in every game. He has scored a run for his team in each of those 'walks' . Twice from 3rd base and today part of Gorman's 3 run homer.
Correct me if I am wrong, but I don't believe JJ has struck out yet this spring. On each of his outs, he has put the ball in the field of play .
His bat to ball skills are playing as advertised. In 2025, JJ had a low 14.7% strike out rate with Double A and Triple A combined.
So don't get too hung up on batting average in ST. JJ has been productive in his starts this year .
With drawing three walks and scoring all 3 times, one can see why many want him to continue as a leadoff hitter for the 2026 squad as he mostly did in 2025 in the minors. Low strikeout rate, putting batted balls in play , and drawing numerous walks are ideal characteristics for leadoff spot not to mention speed to steal 2nd base.
Finally ,someone said if JJ only bats .100 in ST no way he makes the team . Think again !

He will make it by default but if he does not improve you can’t really say he earned it.

I think 600 at bats last season are more telling than 25 this spring

[Swuhgen]

More than one poster stated on CT that if JJW has a poor batting average in ST , he won't (or should not ) make the final roster and be sent back to Memphis. Bloom , on the other hand, stated long before camp that "JJ's batting average in ST will not be a determing factor.'

Well, thus far Bloom is spot on and a few posters way off target .

Offensively , JJ has a batting average of .000 . He is yet to get a hit but look how productive he has been despite that fact.
In 3 games he has drawn a walk in every game. He has scored a run for his team in each of those 'walks' . Twice from 3rd base and today part of Gorman's 3 run homer.
Correct me if I am wrong, but I don't believe JJ has struck out yet this spring. On each of his outs, he has put the ball in the field of play .
His bat to ball skills are playing as advertised. In 2025, JJ had a low 14.7% strike out rate with Double A and Triple A combined.
So don't get too hung up on batting average in ST. JJ has been productive in his starts this year .
With drawing three walks and scoring all 3 times, one can see why many want him to continue as a leadoff hitter for the 2026 squad as he mostly did in 2025 in the minors. Low strikeout rate, putting batted balls in play , and drawing numerous walks are ideal characteristics for leadoff spot not to mention speed to steal 2nd base.
Finally ,someone said if JJ only bats .100 in ST no way he makes the team . Think again !

He’s making the team no matter what.

[ramfandan]

More than one poster stated on CT that if JJW has a poor batting average in ST , he won't (or should not ) make the final roster and be sent back to Memphis. Bloom , on the other hand, stated long before camp that "JJ's batting average in ST will not be a determing factor.'

Well, thus far Bloom is spot on and a few posters way off target .

Offensively , JJ has a batting average of .000 . He is yet to get a hit but look how productive he has been despite that fact.
In 3 games he has drawn a walk in every game. He has scored a run for his team in each of those 'walks' . Twice from 3rd base and today part of Gorman's 3 run homer.
Correct me if I am wrong, but I don't believe JJ has struck out yet this spring. On each of his outs, he has put the ball in the field of play .
His bat to ball skills are playing as advertised. In 2025, JJ had a low 14.7% strike out rate with Double A and Triple A combined.
So don't get too hung up on batting average in ST. JJ has been productive in his starts this year .
With drawing three walks and scoring all 3 times, one can see why many want him to continue as a leadoff hitter for the 2026 squad as he mostly did in 2025 in the minors. Low strikeout rate, putting batted balls in play , and drawing numerous walks are ideal characteristics for leadoff spot not to mention speed to steal 2nd base.
Finally ,someone said if JJ only bats .100 in ST no way he makes the team . Think again !

He will make it by default but if he does not improve you can’t really say he earned it.

Improve ? Meaning what ..He has either walked or put every ball in play . How does one change where the ball goes in the field of play to get a hit.S For example, one can hit 4 hard hit grounders but right at the fielders ..all outs ..other times the grounders go between the fielder. A batter can hit 5 line drives to the outfield either right at the OF or a running catch .. other times the balls go down the line or safely go in the gaps.
This has been a very small sample size . In what way does JJ need to improve his batted balls that have been all outs ?

Hits

So your concern is that none of his batted balls have landed for hits Despite every at bat resulting in JJ ‘hitting’ the ball in play.
Except for the 3 walks.

[Ronnie Dobbs]

No offense but what was the big myth about JJ making the team based on batting average?

[Jatalk]

More than one poster stated on CT that if JJW has a poor batting average in ST , he won't (or should not ) make the final roster and be sent back to Memphis. Bloom , on the other hand, stated long before camp that "JJ's batting average in ST will not be a determing factor.'

Well, thus far Bloom is spot on and a few posters way off target .

Offensively , JJ has a batting average of .000 . He is yet to get a hit but look how productive he has been despite that fact.
In 3 games he has drawn a walk in every game. He has scored a run for his team in each of those 'walks' . Twice from 3rd base and today part of Gorman's 3 run homer.
Correct me if I am wrong, but I don't believe JJ has struck out yet this spring. On each of his outs, he has put the ball in the field of play .
His bat to ball skills are playing as advertised. In 2025, JJ had a low 14.7% strike out rate with Double A and Triple A combined.
So don't get too hung up on batting average in ST. JJ has been productive in his starts this year .
With drawing three walks and scoring all 3 times, one can see why many want him to continue as a leadoff hitter for the 2026 squad as he mostly did in 2025 in the minors. Low strikeout rate, putting batted balls in play , and drawing numerous walks are ideal characteristics for leadoff spot not to mention speed to steal 2nd base.
Finally ,someone said if JJ only bats .100 in ST no way he makes the team . Think again !

He will make it by default but if he does not improve you can’t really say he earned it.

Improve ? Meaning what ..He has either walked or put every ball in play . How does one change where the ball goes in the field of play to get a hit.S For example, one can hit 4 hard hit grounders but right at the fielders ..all outs ..other times the grounders go between the fielder. A batter can hit 5 line drives to the outfield either right at the OF or a running catch .. other times the balls go down the line or safely go in the gaps.
This has been a very small sample size . In what way does JJ need to improve his batted balls that have been all outs ?

Hits

So your concern is that none of his batted balls have landed for hits Despite every at bat resulting in JJ ‘hitting’ the ball in play.
Except for the 3 walks.

At this early date I’m not concerned but let’s assume much of his spring has similar results. Let’s assume for the first 30 days of the regular season he makes contact but has few hits. Will that win us games? Can we judge whole roster that way based on contact alone?

It’s time to stop justifying JJ based on last year and his college career. He needs to demonstrate he can get hits and drive the ball for hits.

[45s]

More than one poster stated on CT that if JJW has a poor batting average in ST , he won't (or should not ) make the final roster and be sent back to Memphis. Bloom , on the other hand, stated long before camp that "JJ's batting average in ST will not be a determing factor.'

Well, thus far Bloom is spot on and a few posters way off target .

Offensively , JJ has a batting average of .000 . He is yet to get a hit but look how productive he has been despite that fact.
In 3 games he has drawn a walk in every game. He has scored a run for his team in each of those 'walks' . Twice from 3rd base and today part of Gorman's 3 run homer.
Correct me if I am wrong, but I don't believe JJ has struck out yet this spring. On each of his outs, he has put the ball in the field of play .
His bat to ball skills are playing as advertised. In 2025, JJ had a low 14.7% strike out rate with Double A and Triple A combined.
So don't get too hung up on batting average in ST. JJ has been productive in his starts this year .
With drawing three walks and scoring all 3 times, one can see why many want him to continue as a leadoff hitter for the 2026 squad as he mostly did in 2025 in the minors. Low strikeout rate, putting batted balls in play , and drawing numerous walks are ideal characteristics for leadoff spot not to mention speed to steal 2nd base.
Finally ,someone said if JJ only bats .100 in ST no way he makes the team . Think again !

He will make it by default but if he does not improve you can’t really say he earned it.

Improve ? Meaning what ..He has either walked or put every ball in play . How does one change where the ball goes in the field of play to get a hit.S For example, one can hit 4 hard hit grounders but right at the fielders ..all outs ..other times the grounders go between the fielder. A batter can hit 5 line drives to the outfield either right at the OF or a running catch .. other times the balls go down the line or safely go in the gaps.
This has been a very small sample size . In what way does JJ need to improve his batted balls that have been all outs ?

Hits

So your concern is that none of his batted balls have landed for hits Despite every at bat resulting in JJ ‘hitting’ the ball in play.
Except for the 3 walks.

At this early date I’m not concerned but let’s assume much of his spring has similar results. Let’s assume for the first 30 days of the regular season he makes contact but has few hits. Will that win us games? Can we judge whole roster that way based on contact alone?

It’s time to stop justifying JJ based on last year and his college career. He needs to demonstrate he can get hits and drive the ball for hits.

I'm inclined to agree with you, on the other hand, Cardinals4life has assured me on multiple occasions that the player is a star from day one.

[Jatalk]

More than one poster stated on CT that if JJW has a poor batting average in ST , he won't (or should not ) make the final roster and be sent back to Memphis. Bloom , on the other hand, stated long before camp that "JJ's batting average in ST will not be a determing factor.'

Well, thus far Bloom is spot on and a few posters way off target .

Offensively , JJ has a batting average of .000 . He is yet to get a hit but look how productive he has been despite that fact.
In 3 games he has drawn a walk in every game. He has scored a run for his team in each of those 'walks' . Twice from 3rd base and today part of Gorman's 3 run homer.
Correct me if I am wrong, but I don't believe JJ has struck out yet this spring. On each of his outs, he has put the ball in the field of play .
His bat to ball skills are playing as advertised. In 2025, JJ had a low 14.7% strike out rate with Double A and Triple A combined.
So don't get too hung up on batting average in ST. JJ has been productive in his starts this year .
With drawing three walks and scoring all 3 times, one can see why many want him to continue as a leadoff hitter for the 2026 squad as he mostly did in 2025 in the minors. Low strikeout rate, putting batted balls in play , and drawing numerous walks are ideal characteristics for leadoff spot not to mention speed to steal 2nd base.
Finally ,someone said if JJ only bats .100 in ST no way he makes the team . Think again !

He will make it by default but if he does not improve you can’t really say he earned it.

Improve ? Meaning what ..He has either walked or put every ball in play . How does one change where the ball goes in the field of play to get a hit.S For example, one can hit 4 hard hit grounders but right at the fielders ..all outs ..other times the grounders go between the fielder. A batter can hit 5 line drives to the outfield either right at the OF or a running catch .. other times the balls go down the line or safely go in the gaps.
This has been a very small sample size . In what way does JJ need to improve his batted balls that have been all outs ?

Hits

So your concern is that none of his batted balls have landed for hits Despite every at bat resulting in JJ ‘hitting’ the ball in play.
Except for the 3 walks.

At this early date I’m not concerned but let’s assume much of his spring has similar results. Let’s assume for the first 30 days of the regular season he makes contact but has few hits. Will that win us games? Can we judge whole roster that way based on contact alone?

It’s time to stop justifying JJ based on last year and his college career. He needs to demonstrate he can get hits and drive the ball for hits.

I'm inclined to agree with you, on the other hand, Cardinals4life has assured me on multiple occasions that the player is a star from day one.

Others have said the same and they may be right. He certainly has the pedigree. I’m just tired of people over justifying his performance to date and making him a star because of a coupe of walks and the fact he has made contact.

[rockondlouie]

Anyone who thinks JJW's not going to be the opening say 2nd baseman is a clueless moron.

Once he gets that first spring hit it will likely open the flood gates.

But I could care less if he hits .190 this spring, he's going to be the OD 2nd baseman and he's going to hit......always has everywhere he's played.