Biographical

Portrait of James Loney

James Loney 1BBraves

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2019 Projections (Preseason PECOTA - seasonal age 35)
PA AVG HR R RBI SB DRC+ WARP
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Birth Date5-7-1984
Height6' 3"
Weight235 lbs
Age39 years, 10 months, 22 days
BatsL
ThrowsL
-0.12015
-0.52016
2017
2018
0.02019
proj
WARP Summary

MLB Statistics

YEAR TEAM AGE G PA H 2B 3B HR BB SO HBP SB CS AVG OBP SLG DRC+ DRAA BRR FRAA BWARP
2006 LAN 22 48 111 29 6 5 4 8 10 1 1 0 .284 .342 .559 103 1.0 -0.1 -1.0 0.1
2007 LAN 23 96 375 114 18 4 15 28 48 1 0 1 .331 .381 .538 124 12.8 -2.6 -0.7 1.3
2008 LAN 24 161 651 172 35 6 13 45 85 3 7 4 .289 .338 .434 103 4.0 -1.6 -10.7 -0.1
2009 LAN 25 158 651 162 25 2 13 70 68 0 7 3 .281 .357 .399 107 7.1 -2.9 -4.3 0.7
2010 LAN 26 161 648 157 41 2 10 52 95 4 10 5 .267 .329 .395 93 -4.6 1.5 -5.0 -0.2
2011 LAN 27 158 582 153 30 1 12 42 67 1 4 0 .288 .339 .416 107 5.4 -1.4 6.0 1.7
2012 BOS 28 30 106 23 2 0 2 5 12 0 0 0 .230 .264 .310 80 -2.4 -0.3 2.5 0.1
2012 LAN 28 114 359 85 18 0 4 23 39 0 0 3 .255 .302 .344 80 -8.0 -2.2 2.0 -0.5
2013 TBA 29 158 598 164 33 0 13 44 77 0 3 1 .299 .348 .430 112 8.6 -2.7 -1.9 1.1
2014 TBA 30 155 651 174 27 0 9 41 80 4 4 0 .290 .336 .380 105 4.0 -5.5 -5.3 -0.1
2015 TBA 31 104 388 101 16 0 4 23 34 1 2 4 .280 .322 .357 96 -0.4 -5.7 1.0 -0.1
2016 NYN 32 100 366 91 16 1 9 16 37 5 0 0 .265 .307 .397 94 -1.7 -0.9 -5.7 -0.5
Career14435486142526721108397652203821.284.336.41010225.9-24.5-23.13.5

Statistics for All Levels

'opp' stats - Quality of opponents faced - have been moved and are available only as OPP_QUAL in the Statistics reports now.
Minor league stats are currently shownClick to hide.
YEAR Team Lg LG G PA oppAVG oppOBP oppSLG BABIP BPF BRAA repLVL POS_ADJ DRC+ DRC+ SD FRAA BRR DRAA BWARP
2002 VRO A+ FSL 17 74 .000 .000 .000 .345 0.0 0 0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
2002 GRF Rk PIO 47 197 .000 .000 .000 .395 0.0 0 0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
2003 VRO A+ FSL 125 516 .000 .000 .000 .318 0.0 0 0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
2004 JAX AA SOU 104 442 .000 .000 .000 .285 0.0 0 0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
2005 JAX AA SOU 138 572 .267 .336 .394 .324 93 5.6 12.5 -8 113 0 6.3 -2.4 13.3 2.2
2006 LAN MLB NL 48 111 .269 .340 .433 .284 97 2.3 3.3 -1.9 103 12 -1.0 -0.1 1.0 0.1
2006 LVG AAA PCL 98 406 .276 .344 .420 .404 110 24.3 11.2 -6.6 145 0 4.3 0.8 22.2 3.1
2007 LAN MLB NL 96 375 .265 .332 .414 .350 101 19.1 11.1 -7 124 11 -0.7 -2.6 12.8 1.3
2007 LVG AAA PCL 58 261 .282 .346 .440 .348 112 -3 7.9 -4.2 89 0 3.0 -4.1 -2.2 0.0
2008 LAN MLB NL 161 651 .263 .329 .416 .315 94 4.8 18.8 -12 103 7 -10.7 -1.6 4.0 -0.1
2009 LAN MLB NL 158 651 .261 .328 .412 .299 90 11.6 18.7 -11.9 107 7 -4.3 -2.9 7.1 0.7
2010 LAN MLB NL 161 648 .256 .322 .396 .302 88 5.6 17.9 -11.4 93 9 -5.0 1.5 -4.6 -0.2
2011 LAN MLB NL 158 582 .251 .316 .390 .309 92 9.3 15.7 -9.9 107 10 6.0 -1.4 5.4 1.7
2012 BOS MLB AL 30 106 .242 .301 .389 .241 100 -5.1 2.9 -1.8 80 11 2.5 -0.3 -2.4 0.1
2012 LAN MLB NL 114 359 .256 .319 .407 .277 93 -12.9 9.8 -6 80 10 2.0 -2.2 -8.0 -0.5
2013 TBA MLB AL 158 598 .253 .317 .403 .326 96 11.9 15.7 -10 112 8 -1.9 -2.7 8.6 1.1
2014 TBA MLB AL 155 651 .252 .312 .389 .319 95 8.6 16.8 -10.7 105 8 -5.3 -5.5 4.0 -0.1
2015 TBA MLB AL 104 388 .256 .315 .407 .298 106 -7.4 10.5 -6.6 96 11 1.0 -5.7 -0.4 -0.1
2015 PCH A+ FSL 3 11 .269 .320 .371 .500 92 0.6 0.3 -0.2 97 0 0.0 -0.6 -0.3 -0.1
2016 NYN MLB NL 100 366 .253 .321 .413 .275 85 0.2 10.3 -6.5 94 7 -5.7 -0.9 -1.7 -0.5
2016 ELP AAA PCL 43 169 .270 .333 .416 .356 111 0.6 4.7 -2.9 110 0 0.9 -2.0 -0.7 0.0
2017 GWN AAA INT 2 9 .218 .289 .317 .167 99 -0.2 0.2 -0.2 96 0 -0.1 0.0 -0.3 0.0
2017 TOL AAA INT 16 62 .269 .340 .407 .262 95 0.5 1.8 -1.2 107 0 0.3 -0.4 0.6 0.1

Statistics For All Levels

Minor league stats are currently shownClick to hide.
Year Team lvl LG PA AB R H 2B 3B HR TB RBI BB SO SB CS AVG OBP SLG ISO SF SH
2002 VRO A+ FSL 74 67 6 20 6 0 0 26 5 6 10 0 0 .299 .351 .388 .090 1 1
2002 GRF Rk PIO 197 170 33 63 22 3 5 106 30 25 18 5 4 .371 .457 .624 .253 0 0
2003 VRO A+ FSL 516 468 64 129 31 3 7 187 46 43 80 9 4 .276 .336 .400 .124 3 3
2004 JAX AA SOU 442 395 39 94 19 2 4 129 35 42 75 6 5 .238 .316 .327 .089 0 0
2005 JAX AA SOU 572 504 74 143 31 2 11 211 65 59 87 1 4 .284 .360 .419 .135 1 1
2006 LVG AAA PCL 406 366 64 139 33 2 8 200 67 32 34 9 5 .380 .433 .546 .167 0 0
2006 LAN MLB NL 111 102 20 29 6 5 4 57 18 8 10 1 0 .284 .342 .559 .275 0 0
2007 LAN MLB NL 375 344 41 114 18 4 15 185 67 28 48 0 1 .331 .381 .538 .206 2 0
2007 LVG AAA PCL 261 233 28 65 19 1 1 89 32 25 48 2 1 .279 .349 .382 .103 0 0
2008 LAN MLB NL 651 595 66 172 35 6 13 258 90 45 85 7 4 .289 .338 .434 .145 7 1
2009 LAN MLB NL 651 576 73 162 25 2 13 230 90 70 68 7 3 .281 .357 .399 .118 4 1
2010 LAN MLB NL 648 588 67 157 41 2 10 232 88 52 95 10 5 .267 .329 .395 .128 4 0
2011 LAN MLB NL 582 531 56 153 30 1 12 221 65 42 67 4 0 .288 .339 .416 .128 5 3
2012 BOS MLB AL 106 100 5 23 2 0 2 31 8 5 12 0 0 .230 .264 .310 .080 1 0
2012 LAN MLB NL 359 334 32 85 18 0 4 115 33 23 39 0 3 .255 .302 .344 .090 1 1
2013 TBA MLB AL 598 549 54 164 33 0 13 236 75 44 77 3 1 .299 .348 .430 .131 4 1
2014 TBA MLB AL 651 600 59 174 27 0 9 228 69 41 80 4 0 .290 .336 .380 .090 6
2015 PCH A+ FSL 11 11 0 4 1 0 0 5 0 0 3 0 0 .364 .364 .455 .091 0 0
2015 TBA MLB AL 388 361 25 101 16 0 4 129 32 23 34 2 4 .280 .322 .357 .078 3 0
2016 ELP AAA PCL 169 158 22 54 7 0 2 67 28 9 12 0 0 .342 .373 .424 .082 2 0
2016 NYN MLB NL 366 343 30 91 16 1 9 136 34 16 37 0 0 .265 .307 .397 .131 1 1
2017 GWN AAA INT 9 7 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 .143 .250 .143 .000 0 0
2017 TOL AAA INT 62 48 6 11 1 0 0 12 2 13 7 0 0 .229 .387 .250 .021 1 0

Plate Discipline

YEAR Pits Zone% Swing% Contact% Z-Swing% O-Swing% Z-Contact% O-Contact% SwStr% CSAA
2008 2353 0.5028 0.4488 0.8580 0.6095 0.2863 0.9057 0.7552 0.1420 0.0066
2009 2435 0.4969 0.4115 0.8733 0.5719 0.2531 0.9263 0.7548 0.1267 -0.0057
2010 2453 0.5059 0.4264 0.8614 0.5770 0.2723 0.9092 0.7576 0.1386 0.0041
2011 2182 0.4730 0.4629 0.8723 0.6328 0.3104 0.9342 0.7591 0.1277 -0.0036
2012 1675 0.5057 0.4788 0.8691 0.6470 0.3068 0.9361 0.7244 0.1309 0.0028
2013 2207 0.4948 0.4613 0.8782 0.6300 0.2960 0.9142 0.8030 0.1218 0.0126
2014 2385 0.5023 0.4667 0.8715 0.6494 0.2822 0.9254 0.7463 0.1285 0.0059
2015 1292 0.4714 0.4853 0.8708 0.6962 0.2972 0.9340 0.7389 0.1292 0.0025
2016 1229 0.4784 0.5085 0.8816 0.7092 0.3245 0.9281 0.7885 0.1184 0.0000
Career182110.49420.45570.87000.62690.28870.92230.75880.13000.0029

Injury History  —  No longer being updated

Last Update: 12/31/2014 23:59 ET

Date On Date Off Transaction Days Games Side Body Part Injury Severity Surgery Date Reaggravation
2012-03-12 2012-03-16 Camp 4 0 - Lower Leg Soreness Calf - -
2011-03-05 2011-03-09 Camp 4 0 Left Knee Stiffness -
2010-07-18 2010-07-19 DTD 1 1 Thigh Strain Hamstring -
2009-09-14 2009-09-14 DTD 0 0 Neck Stiffness Player Collision -
2009-08-22 2009-08-25 DTD 3 2 General Medical Respiratory Flu -
2007-06-18 2007-06-22 DTD 4 3 Right Knee Contusion Running Into Structure -
2006-04-06 2006-04-07 DTD 1 0 Wrist Contusion Ground Ball -
2004-04-23 2004-05-13 Minors 20 0 - Fingers Fracture Distal Middle Finger - -

Compensation

Year Team Salary
2016 TBA $9,666,667
2015 TBA $8,666,667
2014 TBA $2,666,666
2013 TBA $2,000,000
2012 LAN $6,375,000
2011 LAN $4,875,000
2010 LAN $3,100,000
2009 LAN $465,000
2008 LAN $411,000
YearsDescriptionSalary
9 yrPrevious$38,226,000
9 yrTotal$38,226,000

 

Service TimeAgentContract Status
9 y 137 dLegacy Agency1 year (2017)

Details
  • 2019. Signed by independent Sugar Land Skeeters 2/19.
  • 1 year (2017). Signed by Texas as a free agent 1/20/17 (minor-league contract). Salary of $1M in majors. Released by Texas 3/27/17 (exercised right to opt out). Signed by Detroit as a free agent 4/12/17 (minor-league contract). Released by Detroit 5/8/17. Signed by Atlanta as a free agent 5/17/17 (minor-league contract). Released by Atlanta 5/22/17. Signed for remainder of 2017 by LG Twins of KBO.
  • 3 years/$21M (2014-16). Re-signed by Tampa Bay as a free agent 1/3/14. $5M signing bonus. 14:$1M, 15:$7M, 16:$8M. Released by Tampa Bay 4/3/16. Signed by San Diego as a free agent 4/8/16 (minor-league contract). Acquired by NY Mets in trade from San Diego 5/28/16. Contract selected by NY Mets 5/31/16.
  • 1 year/$2M (2013). Signed by Tampa Bay as a free agent 12/3/12. May earn additional $1M in performance bonuses.
  • 1 year/$6.375M (2012). Re-signed by LA Dodgers 1/17/12 (avoided arbitration). Acquired by Boston in trade from LA Dodgers 8/25/12.
  • 1 year/$4.875M (2011). Re-signed by LA Dodgers 2/11/11 (avoided arbitration).
  • 1 year/$3.1M (2010). Re-signed by LA Dodgers 1/19/10 (avoided arbitration).
  • 1 year/$0.465M (2009). Re-signed by LA Dodgers 3/6/09.
  • 1 year/$0.411M (2008). Re-signed by LA Dodgers 2/28/08.
  • 1 year (2007). Re-signed by LA Dodgers 3/07.
  • 1 year (2006). Contract purchased by LA Dodgers 11/05. Re-signed by LA Dodgers 2/06.
  • Drafted by LA Dodgers 2002 (1-19) (Elkins HS, Missouri City, Texas). $1.5M signing bonus.

2019 Preseason Forecast

Last Update: 1/27/2017 12:35 ET

PCT PA R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB CS AVG OBP SLG DRC+ VORP FRAA WARP
90o 381 43 109 20 2 9 44 21 46 1 1 .309 .354 .453 112 15.0 1B -2, 1.3
80o 362 39 98 18 1 8 40 19 45 1 1 .292 .335 .423 105 9.7 1B -2, 0.8
70o 348 36 92 17 1 8 38 18 44 1 1 .284 .328 .417 99 6.2 1B -2, 0.4
60o 336 34 86 16 1 7 36 17 43 1 1 .274 .318 .398 94 3.5 1B -2, 0.2
50o 325 32 81 15 1 7 34 16 42 1 1 .266 .310 .391 90 1.0 1B -2, -0.1
40o 314 30 76 14 1 6 32 15 42 1 1 .259 .300 .374 86 -1.2 1B -2, -0.3
30o 302 28 71 13 1 6 30 14 40 1 1 .250 .291 .366 81 -3.5 1B -2, -0.6
20o 288 26 65 12 1 5 28 13 39 1 0 .240 .281 .347 75 -5.9 1B -2, -0.8
10o 269 23 58 11 1 5 25 11 37 0 0 .228 .265 .339 68 -8.9 1B -2, -1.1
Weighted Mean3293382151734164311.267.310.391911.81B -2,0.0

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BP Annual Player Comments

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BP Articles

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BP Chats

DateQuestionAnswer
2017-03-09 20:00:00 (link to chat)Going to draft Dominic Smith in an hour...3 years from now chances of .285/.350 and 25 home runs while plus d? Thank you.
(Accudart from VT)
He definitely has a chance of that! I am one of those people who looks at Dom Smith and sees the James Loney starter kit (although word is he's in the best shape of his life). If you have other equivalent options, I'd look elsewhere, but I wish you the best of luck! (Ben Murphy, Ian Lefkowitz and Jared Weiss)
2016-09-19 13:00:00 (link to chat)Josh Bell is James Loney! James Loney is Josh Bell! Even with these juiced baseballs, Josh Bell can't put the ball over the wall. Is the James Loney comparison a perfect one, or not?
(Jay from Niagara, Ont)
I just looked at the two side by said and kind of quietly said "dang." It's a good comp! That said, I think Bell has a better chance to develop power than Loney, who always tantalized but never really even did enough of that to make you believe in his ability to hit 15 home runs consistently. I also think Bell will get on base more, which still makes him a wonky first base fit. So maybe I'd say he reminds me of a young Mark Grace a bit more, if you'll forgive the auspicious comp (Trevor Strunk)
2016-09-07 19:00:00 (link to chat)Can we talk about why James Loney is still starting games? Wilmer Flores is almost as good against righties at this point.
(greg from NY)
Terry Collins loves veterans. One of the problems with employing James Loney is that your manager can keep justifying James Loney because he's still hitting .270 or whatever with a reputation as a good glove even when he's significantly sub-replacement.

There's no excuse for Loney to see another start this year. If you're that set on starting a lefty there, Bruce has 1B experience and relieves the OF logjam, and Kelly Johnson is also a better player.

This is the only Wilmer Flores question, so I'll throw this in: I think this might be the emergence we've been waiting years for. Finally. Hopefully. I love the dude. Maybe it's wishcasting. (Jarrett Seidler)
2016-08-05 13:00:00 (link to chat)Has Dom smith's 2016 changed your outlook on him at all? Personally I'm a big fan, think he can do .290/350/.460
(Ricky from Umass )
I am a little surprised it took a full hour to get a Dom question. So I saw him in April and there was a bit more pull side raw in BP, and that jibes with reports I have gotten since then. We are talking like 55 raw though, and hey, if he taps into that given his hit tool, that plays. It's still an extreme opposite field approach though, so I do wonder if the power does play, the two weeks where he went off notwithstanding. The body is still a concern of course, and I think you can get him out with soft stuff away/hard stuff in. He could definitely put up that line, that's an everyday first baseman, but if he is only .280/.340/.440, you get James Loney. And he still has to get to that. I had him as likely 45 coming into the season, may get bumped to a 50 this offseason. That's a guy that will be in discussion for a spot at the back of the 101. But to tie it back in with an earlier topic, this isn't Rhys Hoskins pop at this level. (Jeffrey Paternostro)
2016-08-17 13:00:00 (link to chat)With Dominic Smith producing better this year and likely the 1B of the future, how do you see Peter Alonso fitting in as he rises through the system? Is he a liability in an OF corner? Do you think Alonso will be in the Mets top 10 prospects next year?
(Tim from Jacksonville)
Well, I don't think Dominic Smith is a sure thing as "likely the 1B of the future." I'm down on him, as I have real concerns that Smith ends up more like today's James Loney than the ideal situation, which is early-career James Loney. So Peter Alonso fits in just fine! I'd love to see him get run in a corner OF slot because I value flexibility, but as a college guy, I'd be cautious about putting him in the top 10 before he gets some reps at St. Lucie. (Bryan Grosnick)
2016-08-17 13:00:00 (link to chat)What kind of MLB players do you think the mets two top prospects, Rosario and Smith will become?
(Ester from GA)
Not a prospect guy! For Dom Smith, I *think* he becomes a poor man's James Loney or Casey Kotchman, which is a shame because I want him to become mid-career Will Clark. Rosario is tougher for me, but I'm hoping for something resembling Alcides Escobar with more pop. (That would be crazy valuable, if not my ideal shortstop.) (Bryan Grosnick)
2016-03-07 13:00:00 (link to chat)Who needs me? Where am I a fit?
(Pedro Alvarez from Pittsburgh....For Now)
Lots of places! But Pedro is being wily, waiting out the Spring Training injury roulette. I like him in Baltimore as an upgrade at DH (h/t Brandon Warne), I like him in Toronto as a caddy to the righties there, and I like him Tampa as a replacement for James Loney or Logan Morrison if they could unload one of the two. Baltimore's my favorite spot. (And he *has* to go to an AL team.) (Bryan Grosnick)
2016-03-09 19:00:00 (link to chat)Does Richie Shaffer stick?
(JM from CT)
If he hits, yes. Logan Morrison and James Loney shouldn't be viewed as big time obstacles at first. (Mike Gianella)
2015-02-26 20:00:00 (link to chat)Why hasn't Josh Bell's power shown in games yet? With the move to 1B, he's gotta hit for power or he'll be James Loney 2.0. Do we see it this year? Does he have 30 HR potential?
(Jake from NC)
He's still developing, is the easy answer. He doesn't have 30 homer power, but I believe he'll at least get to 20, which should diminish your worry of him turning into Loney. (Bret Sayre)
2014-09-10 12:00:00 (link to chat)I really like Casey Gillaspie, but the scouting report posted on BP yesterday didn't seem like much more then a James Loney style player. IS that about what you see as well?
(mdotmorris22 from Minnesota)
I like Gillaspie too. Remember, a 50 OFP is not a knock on a player. In fact, that is saying a prospect is a major league starter.

Gillaspie does fall into that Loney mold for the most part, although the players are not entirely similar. Here is my report for those that missed it:
http://www.baseballprospectus.com/prospects/eyewitness_bat.php?reportid=179 (Tucker Blair)
2014-01-02 13:00:00 (link to chat)Settle these arguments for me please: 1) James Loney or Logan Morrison in a 5x5 league (12 team, AL-only)? 2) How many dates are you allowed with a girl in November/December before you have to take her home for the holidays?
(dipotonotdipoto from brooklyn)
Give me Loney. I'm not a big fan of Morrison, especially not in that park. The second question is an interesting one. A lot depends on the situation, but I'd say you're allowed as many as you want. Boundaries with family are big to me, and I think 2 months is not that long to force family on a potential significant other. (Craig Goldstein)
2013-12-03 13:00:00 (link to chat)Do you see any non-tendered players that might be worth a look as LHH platoon partner for Gaby Sanchez? Mat Gamel, maybe?
(mblthd from PIT)
Nope. Gamel is interesting, but health is a skill and he doesn't have it. I think the Pirates sign someone like James Loney. (R.J. Anderson)
2013-11-08 14:00:00 (link to chat)James Loney is not Casey Kotchman 2.0...because???
(Snake Peavy from Pit)
I like him a little bit better than I liked Kotchman after his surprising Rays season, but not that much more. He's probably a league-average hitter, as a first baseman. So. (Ben Lindbergh)
2013-10-28 18:00:00 (link to chat)Where do you see James Loney landing?
(yancyeaton from Fort Myers, FL)
Who needs a first baseman would be the question. Tampa Bay is the only team that has been linked to him, but maybe Loney leaves if he can squeeze a two-year deal out of someone. It's a fairly thin market, though, as a lot of teams already have a first baseman tied up to a deal. The White Sox could be players if they don't resign Paul Konerko, and the same could be said for Boston if Mike Napoli walks. Loney is probably a one-year stopgap at best, and it's entirely possible he goes the route of Russell Branyan and doesn't find a taker this winter despite the incredibly strong campaign in 2013. (Mike Gianella)
2013-10-23 13:00:00 (link to chat)Between Tampa and Cleveland which team needs Justin Morneau more and which team do you see him ending up with? In your opinion what type of contract is he looking for & what will he get.
(Steve Kinsella from Tampa)
I would expect a one-year deal worth a few million. Morneau is not a player I feel as though I have a good grasp on, and I'm struggling to place him as a potential top-50 free agent. Maybe Tampa Bay re-signs James Loney and Cleveland wins by default. Although would the Indians be better off with Swisher in the outfield and Morneau at first base, or with Swisher at first base and someone else in the outfield? (R.J. Anderson)
2013-05-24 14:00:00 (link to chat)Is James Loney legit?
(Turtle from Lake Flourish)
I'd have said he was legit in 2007, and he turned out to not be, and it's way less likely that he's legit now in 2013, so I suppose the only answer (by that barely logic) is no.

Of course, we shouldn't have expected 73 OPS+ Loney to repeat, either. (Sam Miller)
2013-05-22 18:00:00 (link to chat)Hey Jason, love your podcast with PaulS. What do you foresee in Yonder Alonso's future? Double power turning into homer power somewhat like Country Breakfast in 2012? cheers, Hoppy
(Hoppy from Scotland)
Thanks, we love recording it for everyone. I see James Loney in his future to be honest. He'll hit for average and drive in runs, but 20 HRs would be a reach for him. (Jason Collette)
2013-05-22 18:00:00 (link to chat)Is James Loney real?
(Turtle from Lake Flourish)
He is using all parts of the field and making hard contact in doing so. So far, he's looked good vs LH which is huge because he has historically been horrendous against them. I'm not a fan of lineup protection, but Maddon & Longoria insist Evan is seeing better pitches with Loney hitting behind him. I can barely type that sentence with a straight face. (Jason Collette)
2013-05-07 13:00:00 (link to chat)12 team mixed keeper league. Is it worth holding onto Hosmer? He's my only 1B and is KILLING me. Yonder Alonso, Matt Adams, James Loney, and Mitch Moreland are the only decent names on waivers? Would you take any of them over Hosmer or try to make a trade for someone better?
(kcasey1029 from Denver)
I'd prefer a trade since 1B is an elite offensive position, but in the meantime scoop Alonso to get some 1B production going. Hang onto Hosmer (unless he's part of the trade), but go and sit him for a bit. (Paul Sporer)
2013-03-26 13:00:00 (link to chat)Is there any reason for me to expect that the Rays offense will outperform the production levels from 2012? Follow up, do you shorten your name to Zach, or Zak?
(Eric from Costa Rica)
I can certainly give you some reasons, starting with the fact that Evan Longoria only played in 74 games last year. Also, they got very poor production at first base anyway, so James Loney can't be much of a downgrade.

If you're shortening the name, it's just Z. (Zachary Levine)
2011-09-20 13:00:00 (link to chat)Bring James Loney back... really? because he's on a hot streak ... really? I guess he might hit better than the LF options (meaning Sands can play there) ... but he's going to make $5m+ in arbitration ... please help
(Sanchez101 from Santa Barbara, CA)
Horrible Idea, with capitals for emphasis. Loney's .270 TAv is even with where he finished in 2009, but that was below average for a first baseman, and he now costs 10 times as much. I'd fire my GM for even entertaining the notion of re-signing him, and I'd take out a contract with a guy whose middle name is "the" (Johnny the Mangler, Billy the Strangler, Joey the Dangler...) if he actually completed a deal. (Jay Jaffe)
2011-08-17 13:00:00 (link to chat)Have you ever tried oreos and guacamole? I have, and trust me, it is good. I advise.
(Hannah from bay area, ca)
How do you mix them? Is this a blend or a dip or do you just stack? I'm intrigued.

By the way, I checked the SkyMall catalog and there are three baseballs signed by players whose named end in Y: James Loney, Chase Headley, R.A. Dickey. This doesn't solve anything, because of the mysterious -deball. James Loney, Lemonadeball? R.A. Dickey, MikeQuadeball? I dunno. (Sam Miller)
2011-04-07 13:00:00 (link to chat)Would Jerry Sands be an improvement over James Loney right now?
(Josh from Wyoming)
Right now Sands is a guy who has half a season of Double-A under his belt. While he might be able to outhit Loney RIGHT NOW, I think the Dodgers are better served by giving him a few months at Triple-A, not only to see if Loney can reverse his multi-year slide but also if putting Sands in left field could help the big club even more. (Jay Jaffe)
2011-03-17 13:00:00 (link to chat)Serious question now. When do you realistically see Jerry Sands getting the call and making the team outside of a Sept. cup of coffee? 2012 reasonable?
(EephusBlue from San Francisco)
I'm a big fan of Jerry Sands, but I think his timeframe is more going to be decided by the big league team. Hey, maybe you can actually get a decent left fielder out of JaMarcus Gwybbons, Jr., and maybe James Loney decides to act like he's really a useable MLB first baseman again.

I don't have a lot of confidence in either of those things happening, unfortunately. I think there's a 95% chance Sands sees MLB service sometime this year, and probably even before September. My money's on June, with an eye towards him being the fulltime 1B or LF (this also depends on Trayvon Robinson) in 2012. (Mike Petriello)
2011-02-02 13:00:00 (link to chat)What's up with James Loney? Can he add some power numbers or has that boat sailed?
(Ton from ALbuquerque)
As Neil Young sang in his late-70s classic, "Powerloney":

Look out, Mama, there's a white boat coming up the river/With a decent glove, and some walks, and a few SB/I think you'd better call John Lindsey/'cause it don't look like he's here to deliver/the power

Loney might not be white, but otherwise Neil knew what he was talking about. (Ben Lindbergh)
2011-02-02 13:00:00 (link to chat)James Loney = Casey Kotchman? Daric Barton = John Olerud?
(Bob from Seattle)
I'll buy it in the broad strokes, though Olerud is a best-case outcome for Barton. Barton needs more batting helmet. (Ben Lindbergh)
2011-02-02 13:00:00 (link to chat)I know Dodgers Stadium is horrible on hitting but Loney's home/road splits are awful. Away he has an .854 OPS for his career, at home he's hitting .711. Don't you think it'd be smart for another team to pursue him?
(Charlie from Bethesda)
I wouldn't have guessed that his home/away split would be so large, since Chavez Ravine isn't the worst place for lefties, but it's pretty tough on doubles and triples, which is more Loney's speed as far as extra-base hits go. Teams have done much, much more ill-advised things than pursuing James Loney, but if someone gave me a GM job today, the first item on my agenda probably wouldn't be trading for him. First base is just too deep. (Ben Lindbergh)
2010-02-09 13:00:00 (link to chat)The Dodgers' infield bats seem pretty mediocre going into Spring Training. Do we have any reason to be optimistic? Or should I figure they'll be flashing great leather (will they?) and that makes it a good tradeoff?
(Karl B from Philly)
OK, here's the glass half full scenarios:

James Loney will rebound from a couple of lousy years because his extreme L/R and Home/Road splits have been flukes.

• Blake DeWitt will claim the 2B job with a hot spring, and get by well enough, particularly with Jamie Carroll as his late-inning defensive caddy.

• Another year removed from back surgery, Rafael Furcal will be in good enough shape to flash his near-MVP form.

• Casey Blake hitting in the NL is just one more cue as to how wide the disparity is between leagues.

I don't believe all of those, and I don't know how many of them I actually do believe, but there's your rose-tinted-glasses scenario. At the very least, yes, they should be good defensively, though 2B is a concern. (Jay Jaffe)
2009-12-15 14:00:00 (link to chat)Do the Dodgers try and re-sign O-dawg or let him walk?
(Dying2Know from La la land)
It seems that relationship's irreparably breached, which is why talking about Blake DeWitt might not be just bold talk. I could see them bringing back September favorite Ronnie Belliard on a low-end deal and using both at the keystone, subbing for Blake, and maybe shuffle things around enough now and again to give James Loney's slack bat a break by using Blake at first. (Christina Kahrl)
2009-02-03 13:00:00 (link to chat)Are you as annoyed as I am by the annual flurry of articles that go something like this, "So and so really hit the weights in the offseason and is poised for a big year" nonsense? In any case, who are your breakout picks in the N.L.?
(jromero from Seattle)
I wouldn't say "annoyed," but I do tend to ignore them as a group. Everyone has a story in March.

NL breakouts: Lastings Milledge, James Loney, maybe Ubaldo Jimenez. (Joe Sheehan)
2008-03-25 14:00:00 (link to chat)Christina, will the power that James Loney flashed last year continue to develop? How is his glove compared to the rest of the league?
(jasonbradleymill from Tucson, AZ)
For Loney, developing and retaining power is going to be key, because the "danger" is tht he becomes merely someone who fits into the Cecil Cooper/Chris Chambliss class of "Pretty good first basemen," and still a rung or two below the best at the position. It's not a bad thing if that's "all" he is, but given his youth and talent, it's hard to resist wishing for more. Afield, he's one of the better defenders in the NL, but keep in mind the league has a number of excellent-fielding first basemen (Adrian Gonzalez and Derrek Lee come to mind, and then there's that Pujols person). (Christina Kahrl)
2008-03-06 13:00:00 (link to chat)Can you address the Dodgers situation? Re-signing Nomar? Bringing in Andruw Jones to push Kemp even farther down the depth chart? Where does Delwyn Young play (if in the majors)? How about Hu? It seems like they have a MLB-ready prospect pushing up at every position.
(Peter from Staten Island)
Hey Pete!

You're right in that the Dodger system is loaded. GM Ned Colletti seems to have a knack for finding a veteran stiff to throw in the way of every near-ready prospect.

That said, the Dodgers didn't hesitate to push Nomar off 1B when James Loney got hot for them last year, and it's clear they now think of Kemp as a RF rather than a CF. It's Andre Ethier who's likely feeling the biggest pinch in the outfield right now.

As for Delwyn Young, that's a good question. He was moved off 2B because he wasn't considered an adequate defender (-14 FRAA at Double-A in 2005), and while he may help there in a pinch, long term he's going to need an outfield spot. I don't think that will happen for him in LA barring a slew of injuries; the best he can hope for is that as a switch-hitter he becomes a staple of the team's bench. (Jay Jaffe)
2008-03-06 13:00:00 (link to chat)What % of the Dodger's prospect pipeline is credited to the DePodesta regime?
(Tony from Brooklyn, NY)
It's not DePodesta who deserves the credit, it's Logan White, the team's assistant GM of Scouting. He's been in place since 2002 and has overseen the drafting of all of the young Dodger bucks since James Loney in that year, with drafts that are annually ranked among the best. (Jay Jaffe)
2008-01-15 14:30:00 (link to chat)What do you make of James Loney? He was great in the majors last year, but his AAA numbers were pretty lackluster. Was he playing over his head for the Dodgers, or did he just have a case of "big-league-itis," a la Hanley Ramirez?
(Marty from Charleston, SC)
I really like Loney, though his lofty BABIP makes me think we'll see his batting average dip. He hit homers on 14% of his flyballs last year, which seems sustainable. As long as he can keep putting them out of the park, I don't have any issues thinking of him as a pretty good first base option. (Marc Normandin)


BP Roundtables

DateRoundtable NameComment
2009-10-28 17:00:002009 WS Game OneJames Loney, Ryan Howard, Matt Kemp... (Christina Kahrl)
2009-10-21 17:00:00NLCS Game 5That's about as far as James Loney can hit a ball. (John Perrotto)
2009-06-09 14:30:002009 Draft CoverageOne of the great things about being at BP is having great help just a few keyboard clicks away. I asked Rany, who did his fantastic series on draft history, if he remembers a draft that was better 11-20 than 1-10. Rany jumped into action for me, and found just one in 15 years: 2002.

Top Ten: B.J. Upton, Zack Greinke, Prince Fielder, Jeff Francis.
11-20: Hermida, Joe Saunders, Scott Kazmir, Nick Swisher, Cole Hamels, James Loney, Denard Span.

The best example is 1994, where Garciaparra, Konerko and Varitek went 12-14. Needless to say, the top 10 that boasted Paul Wilson, Ben Grieve, Todd Walker and Jaret Wright wasn't as good. (Bryan Smith)
 

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