Berkman on track to be greatest Astro EVER

[nolanryan5714]

Yep, there it is, I said it. Topping Bagwell, Biggio, Ryan......you get the idea.

If he remains a career Astro, like Biggio and Bagwell did, then he is destined to crush many team records. I'm not making this comment due to his current hot streak - I have been staring at his stats for hours.


I'm no sabermetrician, and I suck at math...but for those who are good at this sort of thing, what are the prospective numbers for his career? Specifically, HR, BA, OBP, OBP+, and slugging.

[Honus Wagner Rules]

Let's compare Bags with Berkman. They both debuted at age 23 so that's good for comparison purposes. Here are their stats through their 10th season (age 32 season):

.          [B]G    AB    R    H   2B  3B  HR  RBI  BB   SO    BA    OBP   SLG   SB  CS OPS+ [/b]
Bagwell  1476  5349 1073 1630 351  22 310 1093  992 1022  .305  .417  .552  167  64 159
Berkman  1259  4421  832 1342 298  21 275  899  811  873  .304  .414  .567  63   33 149

Now, Berkman's '08 season is only about 1/3 complete so he'll obviously close the gap on the counting stats. But he will still be behind Bags in the majority of counting. Their rate stats are about the same.

We can compare them through their respective 9th seasons if you wish.

.          [B]G    AB    R    H   2B  3B  HR  RBI  BB   SO    BA    OBP   SLG   SB  CS OPS+ [/b]
Bagwell  1317  4759  921 1447 314  21 263  961  885  906  .304  .416  .545  158  58 159
Berkman  1212  4248  782 1276 282  20 259  855  784  845  .300  .412  .559   54  32 146

Bags still has about 100 extra games played than Berkman has. Still, With Bagwell's defense and base running I don't think we can say Berkman has been as good as Bagwell through this stage of their careers. However, Bagwell;s career ended prematurely because of his bad shoulder and that gives Berkman a chance to surpass Bagwell in career performance.

[biggio3000]

I love Berkman as much as the next person, but a career is a LONG time and a great April and May aren't a career.....

[nolanryan5714]

Honus, thank you for the VERY in-depth reply.

Well, I never did think Berkman would be as good as Bagwell defensively, but that of course is just one aspect - albeit a BIG one.

Bagwell was magic before his arthritis kicked in. Unbelievable plays!!!


Again, not trying to undermine any Astro in this thread, just asking if Berkman may be destined to become the best of the best. It's as subjective as can be in a question, but it is begging to be asked.

His last 2 or 3 seasons were really disappointing, but he still came out with a big punch.

THIS season, he is really achieving things I always expected out of him. It is amazing to watch.

[OhioBoy]

Depending on how Berkman ages he stands a fair chance at equaling or possibly surpassing Bagwell in career value.

[houfan]

Gotta love the Puma!