Batting Sixth, and Playing Right Field...Ryan Ludwick!!!

[mizzoupacers]

Introducing our new slugger.

http://www.ryanludwick.com/

Ludwick was hitting .340 for Memphis this year before his call-up. He was hitting for power as well as average: 8 HR in 106 AB, with a slugging pct. of .642 and an OPS of 1.022. But he strikes out a lot.

He was a second-round pick in 1999 by Oakland. He has been slowed by injuries over the years.

Previous big-league experience includes four seasons split between Texas and Cleveland from 2002 to 2005. Never a full-time player in the AL, he hit .237 in 334 AB, with 14 HR.

We could be seeing a lot of him in right field for the next few weeks, unless La Russa prefers Spiezio or one of our other bench lightweights. Juan Encarnacion continues to languish in Double A ball at Springfield, where despite a recent three-hit game (including two doubles) he is still hitting in the 150s.

Let's hope that Ludwick's Triple-A stats carry over to the majors. We could sure use a spark.

[pacerfan]

IWe could sure use a spark.

Understatement of the year.

Thanks for the information on the new kid.

[mizzoupacers]

Ludwick and Jim Edmonds were our slugging RBI men last night.

Ludwick now has 2 RBI in 2 games.

Edmonds now has 6 RBI in 27 games.



Watch out, Enzo Hernandez, Jimmy is coming after you.

(If you want to see one of the most amazing statistical feats in baseball history, check out Enzo's 1971 season sometime...549 at bats. 12 RBI.)

[pacerfan]

I see Ludwick went one for three Tuesday night and batted second. He's moving up in the world.

[mizzoupacers]

Here's a little more on Ludwick:

link

Hard not to root for a once-promising prospect who perseveres after a devastating injury. Especially if he plays for the Cardinals.

Ludwick is probably a long-shot to have a long-term prominent spot on the team, but I dare to hope that he can be the shot in the arm we need for this season.