The
Rookie of the Year runner-up in 2001 blossomed in 2002, hitting
.374 (second in the league) and finishing with a 2.67 ERA. He's
had to play in the shadow of Carmichael and Walsh, but is gone now
and looks to give the Horsemen the offensive punch they've been
lacking. He was traded to the Horsemen for John Deatrick on March
2nd, 2003.
Ian's swing
is rather one-dimensional, but his long arms make sure the bat makes
contact. He can turn on the ball, but is much stronger with balls
out and over the plate. He drives balls up the middle very often,
and is sometimes hurt by fielders cheating that way. He has pop
to all parts of the field, but often is caught hitting pulled grounders
off outside pitches.
Ian's pitching
is deceiving. He doesn't have overpowering stuff or a good curve,
and he only has average/above-average accuracy. Still, he knows
he has to keep the ball down, and he does a hell of a job doing
it. If he misses, he misses down.
In the field,
he's not flashy, but he's very sound. He's made his share of homerun
robs, albeit very quietly. His height helps, and even though he's
not the fastest to the ball, he can get to balls okay enough to
impress. It's hard to say how good he can be because he was usually
in the field for Scott, who rarely lets anyone hit the ball. Fielding
for Eric or Joey could give us a look at just what the kid can do. |
