Rank 'Em: Franchise Cornerstone

[Clay]

This is a legitimate question from a non-baseball guy, and really, I'm not trying to be a Skerik, but what does playing middle infield have to do with his plate performance?

Tend to be positions where you sacrifice offense for superior defense.

[Pat]

This is a legitimate question from a non-baseball guy, and really, I'm not trying to be a Skerik, but what does playing middle infield have to do with his plate performance?

If you consider that most teams, IRL and BLB, don't have their "best hitters" playing such a defensive needy position. You can find .250, 25 HR threats at 1B or corner OF anywhere...Free-Agency...waivers...in just about everyone's minors they have players of this capability...but getting this type of hitting from a middle infielder, makes it more significant.

For example, in your "draft list" you have 1B Castor as #9 and no Scott.

If you take the "average" middle infielder to pair with Castor, you probably are pairing a .250 average, sub .750 OPS infielder, with him. However, if you take Scott and pair with him an "average" first basemen, you are probably getting a guy who can get 100 RBI.

[Delandis]

Tend to be positions where you sacrifice offense for superior defense.

I see and you are correct. It is the main reason I've held on to Boyd for so long.

[Jistic]

This is a legitimate question from a non-baseball guy, and really, I'm not trying to be a Skerik, but what does playing middle infield have to do with his plate performance?

Think of it in fantasy baseball terms. You have the first pick or a top 3. Who do you draft first?

The OF or 1B who has better stats but isn't a TON better than the 5th best OF or 1b that you can pick up in the 2nd round.

Or the SS or 2B that is the best in the league or mabye one of two, then HUGE dropoff at the position?

Usually you take the SS because you know you're winning that position every damn week. Other positions are dime a dozen.

[Delandis]

If you take the "average" middle infielder to pair with Castor, you probably are pairing a .250 average, sub .750 OPS infielder, with him. However, if you take Scott and pair with him an "average" first basemen, you are probably getting a guy who can get 100 RBI.

I see.

So not to take the conversation too far off topic, but why is a guy like Albert Pujols so coveted? Isn't he comparable to an Alverez or Castor in the BLB?

[Delandis]

Or the SS or 2B that is the best in the league or mabye one of two, then HUGE dropoff at the position?

Perfect.

When in doubt, use fantasy sports logic and then it all makes sense.

[Delandis]

For example, in your "draft list" you have 1B Castor as #9 and no Scott.

I put Castor up there because he's only 22.

Well that and he plays for Baltimore.

[Lintyfresh85]

I see.

So not to take the conversation too far off topic, but why is a guy like Albert Pujols so coveted? Isn't he comparable to an Alverez or Castor in the BLB?

Pujols is coveted because he is head and shoulders better than any other hitter in the game.

His talent trumps position scarcity.

[Pat]

I see.

So not to take the conversation too far off topic, but why is a guy like Albert Pujols so coveted? Isn't he comparable to an Alverez or Castor in the BLB?

I'm not saying by any means Castor doesn't belong in the top 10 discussion. But personally, I don't think a 1B would make my list.

Why is Pujols so coveted? Well, because he is the best hitter in baseball. A true Triple Crown threat who's career averages are right up there with the leauge leaders every season. He is a rarity. It's like Woodbury in the BLB, but probably on an even higher level.

Even further, while he does play first, he is no stiff out there. One of the best fielders at a position that isn't known for it.

[Carlos]

And Pujols came up as an OF/IF. Does that mean you want him playing the corners or 3B? Probably not. And obviously those corner spots are the most productive in baseball, but his talent does indded trump position.

I think Kinsey is an interesting discussion. We already know Linty would take him with the 10th pick in the draft.

[umd]

2 years Chuck Durham cracks the Top 10.

[Pat]

Never heard of 'em.

[umd]

Never heard of 'em.

Oh, you will.

[Clay]

The Scott v Chavez conversation takes an interesting turn....

Scott Wins Best Bat Trophy in June
Wednesday, July 1st, 1992: Geoff Scott battered Domestic League pitchers all June and wound up taking home the Batter of the Month Award.

"I've been around Brewers League Baseball long enough to know you really have to work hard day in and day out to be able to put up this kind of consistency," the 27-year-old Scott told reporters. "I put in a lot of work, even on the days I might not take the field, and it's always nice when everything comes together for me like it did this last month."

In 26 games, Scott hit .415 with 9 home runs, 26 RBIs and scored 27 runs.

To date Scott has chalked up a .329 average with 19 home runs, driven in 52 runs and scored 57 times.

Great June Gets Chvez IL Best Hitter Award
Wednesday, July 1st, 1992: When Hctor Chvez stepped up to the plate in June, he did it with confidence and today he was honored with the Import League Batter of the Month award.

The young Virginia shortstop posted a .333 batting average with 12 home runs, 27 RBIs and scored 25 runs. Chvez also worked pitchers for 23 walks to post a .469 on-base percentage.

Thus far this season in 75 games Chvez is batting .335 with 18 home runs, 58 RBIs and 69 runs scored. He has 105 hits in 313 at-bats.

[Jistic]

It will even get more interesting when these guys meet in the playoff.....oh wait never mind.