Jeremy Giambi

From Wiki Gonzalez

Jeremy Giambi (born 1974) is an outfielder/designated hitter, the brother of Jason Giambi, and arguably a test case for forecasting player performance.

Jeremy first came to attention as a minor leaguer with the Royals when he put up gigantic MLE statistics, which some statheads interpreted as signs he would become a superstar hitter.

When Jeremy got called up by the Royals in 1998-99, his playing time was sporadic and his major league stats (particularly home-run power) were unimpressive; his stathead supporters accused the team and manager Tony Muser of attempting to wreck a productive offensive performer by harping on his weaknesses. There was relief in 2000 when Jeremy was traded to the Athletics, where presumably his slugging and on-base talents would be better appreciated and where he would play alongside his older brother.

As an Athletic, Jeremy played more regularly and hit a little better, but not at an All-Star level. His outfield defense and baserunning were subpar, and detracted from the offense he did demonstrate. This was shown graphically in a 2001 postseason game in which he failed to slide at home plate in a 0-0 game; a miraculous Derek Jeter throw retired him, the A's lost the game 1-0, and would eventually lose the series.

In mid-season 2002, Jeremy starred in the surprise Mabry-Giambi trade, which the mainstream media considered a minor deal, but which was hotly debated online on BTF and elsewhere. In a half-season with the Phillies, Jeremy hit quite well in pinch-hitting and limited first-base and right-field duty.

In 2003, the Boston Red Sox snagged Jeremy in a minor off-season trade, which was yet again interpreted as a coup for a sabermetrically enlightened organization. Installed as the everyday DH at the beginning of the season, Jeremy failed to perform, and turned out to be playing through an injury. David Ortiz, signed as a free agent in the same off-season, ended up taking his job for good.

Jeremy did not play in 2004 or 2005 due to continued injury troubles, and this point it is unsure if he will appear in the big leagues again. In any case, the potential he exhibited in spreadsheets was never shown.

Leaked grand jury testimony indicated that, like his brother Jason, he was taking performance enhancing drugs as a player.

References

• Jeremy Giambi on baseball-reference.com (http://www.baseball-reference.com/g/giambje01.shtml)