Bruce or Choo in CF?

[Griffey012]

If a guy can steal 20+ bases, how can he have limited range issues in the outfield? I dont know much about his defense, maybe some others can expand. Does he have issues reading balls of the bat in RF?

[IslandRed]

Originally Posted by vaticanplum

I've always been higher on Bruce in CF than most. Just love his arm, i guess.

So I'll go with Bruce, but I also think that if this is the case, they need to *start* spring training with the mindset that he is going to be there or there's going to be a 100% pure tryout (rather than Choo being the default with Bruce only stepping in if he fails). He's going to need that time to readjust in that mindset.

Additionally, while I know the stats, I haven't seen enough of Choo in the outfield to have a strong opinion about it.

If they think there's a good possibility Bruce will be the CF, he needs to start training for it now. Not just shagging fly balls, but in his offseason conditioning. More speed, less bulk. He's still young enough for it.

[CesarGeronimo]

Originally Posted by dougdirt

Not a single Reds starter induced 50% groundballs last season. Cueto and Leake were both at 48.9%. While that leans them more toward groundball than flyball, it isn't exactly making them groundball pitchers either. 142 pitchers threw 100+ innings last year. Cueto and Leake ranked 40th in GB rate among them. Better than average, but they are still allowing the ball in the air more than it is going to the ground.

Jay Bruce looks a little big for a CF at this point in his career, doesn't he? He was 205 in 2008, according to his rookie card, but is listed at 225 now. I would worry a bit about him doing all that running in center. And it would be crazy, of course, for Jay to lead off

[_Sir_Charles_]

Originally Posted by CesarGeronimo

Jay Bruce looks a little big for a CF at this point in his career, doesn't he? He was 205 in 2008, according to his rookie card, but is listed at 225 now. I would worry a bit about him doing all that running in center. And it would be crazy, of course, for Jay to lead off

He slimmed down a BUNCH last off season. IIRC, he was "in the best shape of his life".

[Wonderful Monds]

Originally Posted by CesarGeronimo

Jay Bruce looks a little big for a CF at this point in his career, doesn't he? He was 205 in 2008, according to his rookie card, but is listed at 225 now. I would worry a bit about him doing all that running in center. And it would be crazy, of course, for Jay to lead off

Which is funny because Jay did lead off for a while when he first came up didn't he?

[CesarGeronimo]

Originally Posted by _Sir_Charles_

He slimmed down a BUNCH last off season. IIRC, he was "in the best shape of his life".

I remember him slimming down noticeably, but I think he's still just a bigger, stronger guy than he was when he played center as a youngster (I do cherish the annual "best shape of his life" stories).

[dougdirt]

Originally Posted by Griffey012

If a guy can steal 20+ bases, how can he have limited range issues in the outfield? I dont know much about his defense, maybe some others can expand. Does he have issues reading balls of the bat in RF?

There are talks out there that he does have problems with reading the ball off of the bat (well, talks that his routes are sketchy, but that is a direct result of his bat/ball reading skills).

[Roy Tucker]

If nothing else, if the Reds are slumping mid-season, they can move Bruce to CF for a spark. Like Rose to 3B.

[Rojo]

Choo's leading off, right? Dusty's still managing, right?

I'll believe Bruce in Center when I see it.

[dougdirt]

Originally Posted by Rojo

Choo's leading off, right? Dusty's still managing, right?

The suspense, she ain't killing me.

Right. Right. I hope no one is killing you. That wouldn't be very nice.

[Griffey012]

Originally Posted by dougdirt

There are talks out there that he does have problems with reading the ball off of the bat (well, talks that his routes are sketchy, but that is a direct result of his bat/ball reading skills).

Thanks Doug.

It could be possible the speed he has will appear much better in CF than RF. From previous playing experience, getting a good jump on a ball in CF was a helluva lot easier than getting a good jump in RF.

Maybe it is just wishful thinking as well, but I hope this is the case with Choo and he is really more naturally a CFer.

[RED VAN HOT]

Choo in April; Bruce in May; Heisey in June-August; Hamilton in September

[RedEye]

Originally Posted by RED VAN HOT

Choo in April; Bruce in May; Heisey in June-August; Hamilton in September

I like it. Reads like a piece of poetry as well.

[Roy Tucker]

Originally Posted by RedEye

I like it. Reads like a piece of poetry as well.

Almost a haiku.

[mth123]

I think the drop off in CF won't be as big as people think. Stubbs looked good out there, but I was underwhelmed watching him every day. I especially grew tired of his repeated "shyness" on balls in front of him. Pulling up and playing a ball on the bounce when its 10 to 15 feet in the air and another step or two would be all he needs to record the out was a regular event. Choo may give up a gapper or two a month that Stubbs would get to, but he'll make up for on the dinkers in front of him IMO.

As for reading the ball off the bat, CF is by far the easiest position to play if you have the speed to play it. No grounders. No slices or hooks. A true read every time. He won't be Wily Mo or post injury Griffey out there. People are making it out like he won't ever catch a fly ball.