Pat the what?

Now that we're approximately 2 weeks into the 2009 season lets take a look at how the Rays' one "major" off-season signing (Pat Burrell) has panned out thus far:

• Pat has 8 hits in 37 at-bats.


• That translates into a lack-luster .216 average.


• Of those 8 hits he's had 2 doubles, 1 HR and 3 RBI.


• He has struck-out 7 times and walked 5.


• His OBP, SLG, and OPS are .302, .351, .654 respectively.

Okay, for the sake of argument lets compare that to another Rays' player. We've randomly chosen a player who is most definitely not touted as a power hitter just to show you how unimpressive Burrell's numbers are so far.

Here are the same stats for Jason Bartlett (again, I did this test blindly, so I didn't know how they compared until after I had randomly chosen the player to whom I'd compare Burrell).

• JB has 15 hits in 38 at-bats.


• That translates into a BA of .395


• Of those 15 hits he's had; 3 doubles, 2 homers, and 4 RBI.


• He has struck-out 4 times and walked 3 times.


• His OBP, SLG, and OPS are .452, .632, and 1.084 respectively.

The numbers speak for themselves.

Burrell is obviously under-performing. Way under. Jason Bartlett is the exact opposite of a power hitter, but his numbers (power or otherwise) are ridiculously better than Burrell's so far this season.

Some may say its just because Pat is still adjusting to his role as a DH, and I hope they're right because at this rate, it's looking like The Bat has forgotten his own nickname.

Pat Burrell, you are about 2 games away from being put "on-notice" (see side-bar).