Can We Please Get off Cincinnati Reds' Drew Stubbs' Case?

I'm well aware that I'm one of the few who feels this way, but Drew Stubbs really isn't all that bad.

As a matter of fact, I'd say he's not bad at all. Yes, I know that he strikes out more than he should and that he's not your ideal leadoff hitter. But come on, this guy could really be something special.

Drew was a first-round pick out of Texas in a very talented draft class. He is a guy the Reds haven't and shouldn't give up on, regardless of what is in the papers and Internet articles.  But man, listening to the chatter at the stadium, this guy takes a lot of criticism.

I'm with you guys. I get frustrated when he looks at fastballs too.  But when he gets a hold of a ball it's definitely a sight worth seeing. Plus the guy has great range in the outfield.  Yes, at times there have been balls that go over his head, but watching him run a ball down is amazing.

When Jay Bruce struggled in his first few seasons in the Majors, all I heard was "it'll be okay, he will pan out." When Drew Stubbs struggles I hear "send him down" or "trade him". Would you really want to trade this guy?

Sure, your lineup loses a lot of strikeouts, but you're also losing 27 stolen bases and 31 extra-base hits.

All I'm saying is give Stubbs time. He's hitting the ball fairly well right now and has really held down that center field position.

What are your thoughts?