David Vidal

[Edd Roush]

Originally Posted by lollipopcurve

Cart has barreled down the hill and the horse is still on top re: Vidal here. There are 2 guys in front of him who are going to get a shot before he does, if he ever does. Francisco is 1st in line, and his ceiling is high. Then HRod, who's playing 3B this winter. I wouldn't kick either to the curb just yet.

I personally do not want to give up on either HRod or Francisco yet. However, I don't really see too much of a problem challenging Vidal in AA. Francisco is likely to be in Cincinnati all of next year. If not, he will be playing 3B for Louisville either way.

Also, as far as I knew, while HRod can play 3B, he is still seen more as a 2B.

Considering Phillips may no longer be a Red in 2012, I see no reason to move HRod to 3B full-time. If the Reds do extend Phillips and he is now "blocked," there is still the likelihood that Francisco will be in the bigs and 3B will be open for HRod.

Since Rolen hasn't done too much since the first half of 2010, I think the Reds need to generate as many viable alternatives as possible relating to candidates for 3B in 2013. Therefore, the Reds should challenge Vidal in AA.

I don't think pushing Vidal is going to take away from Francisco and/or HRod. Francisco will likely get his audition this year in the bigs on Rolen's off days. HRod will be getting regular ABs in AAA, either at 3B or 2B and Vidal should be facing stiff competition to give him a chance to play in the bigs in 2013.

[corkedbat]

Originally Posted by Edd Roush

I personally do not want to give up on either HRod or Francisco yet. However, I don't really see too much of a problem challenging Vidal in AA. Francisco is likely to be in Cincinnati all of next year. If not, he will be playing 3B for Louisville either way.

Also, as far as I knew, while HRod can play 3B, he is still seen more as a 2B.

Considering Phillips may no longer be a Red in 2012, I see no reason to move HRod to 3B full-time. If the Reds do extend Phillips and he is now "blocked," there is still the likelihood that Francisco will be in the bigs and 3B will be open for HRod.

Since Rolen hasn't done too much since the first half of 2010, I think the Reds need to generate as many viable alternatives as possible relating to candidates for 3B in 2013. Therefore, the Reds should challenge Vidal in AA.

I don't think pushing Vidal is going to take away from Francisco and/or HRod. Francisco will likely get his audition this year in the bigs on Rolen's off days. HRod will be getting regular ABs in AAA, either at 3B or 2B and Vidal should be facing stiff competition to give him a chance to play in the bigs in 2013.

i see Hrod as a 2B or Utility IF. If Juan is still around by 2013 let him compete (or maybe even move to 1B). With Hcukley most likely just a year or so behind Vidal, so it probably wouldn't be a bad idea to get the lsser defender a few innings at 1B or even LF too.

[dougdirt]

Originally Posted by Edd Roush

Also, as far as I knew, while HRod can play 3B, he is still seen more as a 2B.

Agreed. I don't think he is a third baseman. I don't think the Reds see him as one either.

[Hypnotoad]

Originally Posted by dougdirt

Agreed. I don't think he is a third baseman. I don't think the Reds see him as one either.

I agree as well. When I saw him in Dayton he had trouble throwing hard to 1B from second - I can't imagine him firing it across the infield all the way from third.

[The DARK]

Even if H-Rod can play a decent 3B, his bat will be much less valuable there than if he sticks at 2B. Vidal's bat appears stronger and he mans the position better, so I don't think he'll be a problem. As for Francisco, this season will go a long way towards determining how exactly he fits into our plans. Rolen's contract expires after the year, so he's either going to have to be replaced by Frazier, Francisco, or something external. Those two have been hovering in AAA for a while now, and I'd say this next season is now or never for determining if they're MLB starter material.

But Vidal's way isn't all that clogged... I'd say he has the easiest positional path to the majors of all as of today.

[lollipopcurve]

But Vidal's way isn't all that clogged... I'd say he has the easiest positional path to the majors of all as of today.

That would be the OF prospects -- Lamarre, Phipps, Lutz (who has played some LF), even Yorman if he re-establishes himself.

[mth123]

Vidal to AA. Maybe premature, but if he plays well, could this be the beginning of a fast tracking?

[camisadelgolf]

Originally Posted by mth123

Vidal to AA. Maybe premature, but if he plays well, could this be the beginning of a fast tracking?

Henry Rodriguez had thumb surgery and was put on the disabled list. I think it was just a matter of Vidal being the most qualified replacement.

[mth123]

Originally Posted by camisadelgolf

Henry Rodriguez had thumb surgery and was put on the disabled list. I think it was just a matter of Vidal being the most qualified replacement.

Agreed, but Rolen is out too. If Vidal hits....

[camisadelgolf]

Originally Posted by mth123

Agreed, but Rolen is out too. If Vidal hits....

Well, the Reds aren't exactly plush with 3B prospects in the high minors. I would be extremely surprised if Vidal makes it to the show this year, but I think a cup of coffee next year is reasonable. Between Frazier, Cairo, Valdez, Costanzo, Harris, Valaika, Negron (and eventually Rolen, Janish, Rodriguez), I just think the Reds have too many internal options to consider before risking ruining a prospect's development.

[powersackers]

Dang, he's getting close to the bigs. I should have let him date my step daughter last year at Dayton when he tried to do so.

[camisadelgolf]

Originally Posted by powersackers

Dang, he's getting close to the bigs. I should have let him date my step daughter last year at Dayton when he tried to do so.

Fine, I'll do it. PM me an address.

[powersackers]

Originally Posted by camisadelgolf

Fine, I'll do it. PM me an address.

Ah LOL, no PM needed, just search Google Maps for the corner of No and Way Streets in Dayton.

[corkedbat]

Read some comments earlier this spring that questioned whether Vidal was too small to generate that much power at the major league level. I did some digging though and came up with: David Vidal: 5-11/185 Chris Sabo: 5-11/185.

Spuds Jr.?

Didn't think 5-11/185 was all that small for a baseball player.

[RED VAN HOT]

Originally Posted by corkedbat

Read some comments earlier this spring that questioned whether Vidal was too small to generate that much power at the major league level. I did some digging though and came up with: David Vidal: 5-11/185 Chris Sabo: 5-11/185.

Spuds Jr.?

Didn't think 5-11/185 was all that small for a baseball player.

Do you recall anything more about the comments? It seems to me that having a swing that can be exploited by ML pitching could call into question a player's ability to hit for power at the ML level. I'ts not clear to me how size could affect it.