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LaRoche Watch
You've probably been wondering lately, "Where the heck has the LaRoche Watch been?"
We actually just haven't had room for it. But the LaRoche brothers probably considered that a good thing since both Adam and Andy had been facing some tough times. Adam, the Pittsburgh Pirates' first baseman, was off to the worst start of his major-league career while Andy, a Los Angeles Dodgers farmhand, was sent back down to the minor leagues and then was put on the injured list.
For those not familiar with the LaRoches, especially those who are reading this on our Web site, both are graduates of Fort Scott High School. Adam graduated in 1998, Andy in 2001.
Adam became a Pirate during the off season with the expectation that he would become a team leader and provide power for the lineup. However, he started the season struggling to even reach a .200 batting average.
But in a game against the Florida Marlins on June 28, Adam went three for five with a home run and drove in two runs. And since then, the only thing that's really stopped him is the All-Star Break.
In his last 10 games, Adam is batting .425 (17 for 40) with five home runs and 11 RBI. Prior to the surge, LaRoche had eight homers and 40 RBI in his first 75 games.
"I'm just in one of those zones. When the pitches are over the plate, I'm seeing them well," LaRoche told Jennifer Langosch after a three-for-four, two homer, three RBI night against Milwaukee last Thursday.
"If I was the pitchers in the National League Central, I'd be biting my fingernails," Pirates catcher Ryan Doumit said. "Adam LaRoche is about as hot as anyone in the league right now. Right now, he is the hitter we remember playing against."
Adam and the Pirates play his former team, the Atlanta Braves, this weekend. TBS, cable channel 37, will show Friday's game at 6:35 p.m. and Sunday's game at 12:05 p.m.
Andy LaRoche was on the seven-day disabled list at Las Vegas before coming back June 30. In his first six games back, he went 12 for 24 (.500) with three doubles, a triple and two home runs, showing some of the promise that's made him a top prospect. Overall, he's batting .273 with five homers and 16 RBI.
Both LaRoche's stats are updated Mondays and Thursdays on www.fstribune.com in the "Scoreboard" section.