Under the Rader Performers: Casey Blake

by Trenchtown on Jul 17, 2009 3:56 PM EDT

While not as under the radar as Joe Crede, nor with additional likelihood of improving over his season to date, Casey Blake has quietly been a force for the Dodgers this year. The former Indians part-time player is hitting a very respectable .285/.366/.485 this year for the boys in blue.

Now Blake has been lucky to an extent, but nothing out of the realm of insustainability. His .851 OPS would be the tops for his career if the season ended today, but only by about a dozen points. His BABIP is sitting at .327 against a career of .307; his walks are up this year but not by leaps and bounds, his strikeouts are a tick under his career rate. On the defensive side of the ball for the career Blake is slightly below average at -2.3 a year. This year he is 2.9 above to date which is abnormal but not screaming for regression either. Overall, Blake has had a nifty little season

To date Blake's WAR sits at 2.6 wins, which puts him behind only Matt Kemp on the Dodgers squad (Manny will make knock him down to third in the not too distant future.) On a team that has succeeded with good all around effort Blake has certainly held up his share. And while Blake probably won't justify the trade for Carlos Santana and will be pressed to continue his performance through his contract expiration at the age of 37 so far Blake has done his job

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Not a lot to add.

But I’ve enjoyed both the Crede and Blake under the radar quick hits. I’d love to read more.

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by Sky Kalkman on Jul 18, 2009 11:45 AM EDT reply actions

I think the Indians got way too much even though Blake is doing good

Carlos Sanatana is one of the best prospects in the Indians organization. It either is that the Indians have a horrible farm, or Santana is really good

I Have Spoken.

by The_Fan on Jul 18, 2009 12:16 PM EDT reply actions

When I wrote the Roy Halladay yesterday, I found BA's mid-season prospect list had Carlos Santan ranked 7th.

He might not be quite in the class with the top guys, but that’s still somewhere between $25M and $35M in excess value if you agree with the assessment. Blake wasn’t worth that at all.

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by Sky Kalkman on Jul 18, 2009 2:34 PM EDT up reply actions

thats very good

I think the indians will moe Martinez to 1st andhave him start next year

by The_Fan on Jul 20, 2009 11:30 AM EDT up reply actions

i'm from cleveland

and if i recall blake was a fantastic 3 or 4 sport athlete in high school and maybe college too… as he ages we expect his production to tail off but i’m guessing his athleticism will help him outperform most projections… he might still be producing towards the end of his contract

by gorilla_baller on Jul 18, 2009 2:10 PM EDT reply actions

but still

what Santana is worth, horrible trade

by The_Fan on Jul 20, 2009 11:29 AM EDT up reply actions

ring ring

“Hello?”
“Hello there! Is this the Blake residence?”
“That it is.”
“Why, greetings! Might I ask if anybody in your household is under the Rader?”
“Yes, I do believe there is someb-”
“WELL THEN YOU BETTER TELL DOUG TO GET OFF OF HIM!!!!”