Giants Sign Hollins

Wahaha. All the best to Mr. Hollins, but Baseball Reference's entry for "Similar Players" and "Similar Players Through Age 32" lists Jeff Manto in both categories. That didn't work out too well.

Hollins is exactly the kind of ex-major leaguer a Japanese League team should take a chance on. Hollins had 28 HRs and 37 doubles in 675 major league at-bats in 2005 and 2006. He could put up some big power numbers in Japan, if he can hit for enough of an average to stay in the line up every day.

Does anyone else think he has the potential to be the second coming of Tuffy Rhodes?

- Does anyone else think he has the potential to be the second coming of Tuffy Rhodes?

He has that ability, remember he hit for way more power than Rhodes did at any level, which is a plus. Whether or not he will hit as many home runs in unknown. Though he also needs to have a respectable average and not be the second coming of Rob Deer.

Hollins won't be the second coming of Tuffy Rhodes. Rhodes was five years younger than Hollins when Rhodes went to Japan. And Rhodes did hit for power at Omaha in 1993, as well as his famed three home run day for the Cubs a year or two later.

- And Rhodes did hit for power at Omaha in 1993

Rhodes hit for power one year in his career. Before that his highest total was 4. His 8 home run total wasn't all that impressive, seeing as he only slugged .384 with a .705 OPS, not exactly what you call a power hitter.

- Rhodes was five years younger than Hollins when Rhodes went to Japan.

You're trying to prove what again? Hollins has out-hit Rhodes power wise in the majors? Hollins batted .242/.284/.417 compared to .224/.310/.349 for Rhodes. Hollins was easily the more accomplished hitter.

No one knows what Hollins will do until he actually plays in Japan. He could very well be the next Tuffy Rhodes or easily be the next Gabe Kapler. But until he plays, we can only speculate.

Plenty of young players develop power in their mid-twenties. Rhodes hit 30 home runs in AAA at age 25; Hollins never hit more than 23 in a season in 14 minor league seasons. Hollins hit 28 major league home runs in 2005-2006 at the age of 31 and 32. At age 32 Rhodes had his peak season in Japan, his 6th season playing there. Alex Cabrera was age 30 and 31 the years he hit 55 and 50, and had hit 44 home runs between AA, AAA, and the majors at age 28.

Hollins may have some fine years in Japan, but I don't think he is the ballplayer that either Rhodes or Cabrera are. If you really believe that Hollins is going to hit 360 home runs (or even 300) in his Japanese career, or hit 55 (or 50) home runs in a season in Japan, that's action I'd take any time.

Well, I didn't mean similar to Tuffy's career, but just with season batting numbers.