NL Central Smackdown : Right Fielders

Submitted by Rob G. on Sun, 05/04/2008 - 05:48 am

Center Fielders | Poll
Catchers | Poll
Third Basemen | Poll
Shortstops | Poll
2nd Basemen | Poll
1st Basemen | Poll

I'll save the left fielders for Monday since it's a pretty and talented group. Your right--field warriors after the break...

Player 3-Year Warp-3 Average
3 Year Warp-3 Projection
Rob's Ranking
Kosuke Fukudome
 N/A
 3.37
 2
Corey Hart
 4.5 (2 years)
 5.6 1
Skip Schumaker
 1.5 (1 year) 1.43
 6
Ryan Ludwick 2.7 (1 year) 1.97
 6
Hunter Pence 6.4 (1 year)
 5.43 4
Ken Griffey Jr. 4.47
 1.77 3
Xavier Nady
 2.63
 1.93
 5


 

 

 

 

 

 


The Justification: I think I sold Hunter Pence short on this one before I looked at the numbers. I just thought he was more useful as a center fielder and a little hacktastic for my tastes. Griffey Jr. probably deserves the top spot as a lifetime achievement award and if you think he can stay healthy, he probably still deserves it. Honestly, any of the top four are probably worth the top spot and when Rick Ankiel gets shifted back here, he'll make it even a little more interesting. But I took Hart for now, a rather successful 2007 campaign and youth on his side. I just didn't know what to expect out of Fukudome, and while the early returns are fantastic, he won't be able to keep his offensive numbers up averaging a homer a month. Nady's had a nice start to the season, but we all know he'll fade and the Cards platoon is just a placeholder until Colby Rasmus is ready and Ankiel gets shifted back.

There's another poll for you guys to fill out below this and I'll leave the old polls open until we finish this.

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Tags
Statistical Analysis
NL Central Smackdown

Comments

Submitted by Q-Ball on Sun, 05/04/2008 - 05:00 am

This is very tough; really a close grouping and alot of moving parts. I ranked as the following: Fukudome (homer vote, but he is a 4-tool player) Hart (slow start though) Nady Pence (would be higher, except for slow start; based on last year, he could be #1) Griffey (Fading fast) Cards (They are hitting great, but I hate platoons)

Submitted by Charlie on Sun, 05/04/2008 - 05:01 pm

I take Hart over the lot at this point, then Fuku, Pence, Griffey, Nady, Cards. Hart is young and is already a pretty complete hitter, plus I think he handles CF at least as well as Pence and Fuku. Pence has the best chance of being a real superstar, but he also seems most likely to flop due to his hacktastic approach. Fuku gets second based on defense and plate discipline. Griffey would be tops if he weren't such an injury risk and if he weren't so old and more expensive than the rest. Nady doesn't seem all that valuable any more, but maybe that's just me.

Submitted by Andrew on Sun, 05/04/2008 - 05:32 pm

is his lack of power concerning to anyone else? The bill of goods we got when he was signed was that he'd be good for at least 15 and probably 20 homers a year. He's got good gap power but the weight shift in his swing, in my mind, keeps him from putting more power in his swing. Anyway, I hope he starts hitting for a bit more power soon, as we need it out of our #5 hitter.

[ ]

Submitted by vorare on Sun, 05/04/2008 - 05:50 pm

I'd be more concerned if he wasn't on pace to hit 50+ doubles. I'll take 50 doubles and a .400+ OBP out of my 5th hitter any day, especially when he has DeRosa and Soto hitting behind him.

[ ]

Submitted by Mister Whipple on Sun, 05/04/2008 - 05:14 pm

50 doubles isn't Chadball! No steroids, no homeruns, no watching the ball exit the park followed by cocky strutting around the bases. No boombox in the locker room annoying everyone else. I think Fuku is a few hat size short of Chadball.

[ ]

Submitted by Chad on Sun, 05/04/2008 - 05:44 pm

Sorry pal, but I'm the authority on Chadball. And 50 doubles is Chadball material. Chad likey the slugging percentage. last year when DLee wasn't hitting the ball over the fence but bouncing them off of it, I was totally ok with that. Walks and singles as your offensive set is not Chadball but Mark Grace was.

[ ]

Submitted by crunch on Sun, 05/04/2008 - 05:09 pm

personally, i didnt expect more than 15-20 homers at best. however, i do/did expect him to get 40-50 doubles. i expected him to K 100-120 times and though i knew he'd walk im personally impressed by how many so early. to make a sloppy comparison...i pretty much expect mark grace in his prime at the plate (with more Ks and a touch more speed).

Submitted by Jordan on Sun, 05/04/2008 - 05:12 pm

Vorare: Exactly! Soto hitting behind Fuku is brilliant, and I hope it continues. Fuku is still adjusting to a lot of pitching he has never seen, and his contact style is unique. He pulls off the ball much more with two strikes on him. He gets into the two-strike situation because he is taking pitches in an attempt to see more (whether that is patience or just feeling out the pitcher, I don't know). The great thing is that he isn't afraid to hit with two strikes, and he's a damn good hitter in that situation. He is Ichiro with more power, and a slightly lower average due to his slower top speed. I see Ichiro leg out a lot of those infield singles which drives his average from the .320-.330 range to the rarefied air he has been privy to the last few seasons.

Submitted by crunch on Sun, 05/04/2008 - 05:31 pm

wonder what theyre working on with him... another day and no play.

Submitted by Chifan on Sun, 05/04/2008 - 05:34 pm

this time a 6-4 lead in HOU. I guess the Brewers closer will be David Riske pretty soon.

Submitted by Chifan on Sun, 05/04/2008 - 05:42 pm

I think he has more hits today aganist Santana and the NLDS last year then he did his entire Cubs career.

Submitted by crunch on Sun, 05/04/2008 - 05:05 pm

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) -- Chicago Bears running back Cedric Benson failed a sobriety test while operating a 30-foot boat, then resisted arrest before being hit with pepper spray and dragged ashore by officers. woo.

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Last updated 3-27-2023
 
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Adbert Alzolay
Javier Assad 
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