Don't know if I'm stepping on any toes here, but the offseason is long and boring. I'll get it started. Put anyone you think should be in consideration that I didn't list.
Don't know if I'm stepping on any toes here, but the offseason is long and boring. I'll get it started. Put anyone you think should be in consideration that I didn't list.
*BaseClogger* (10-13-2022),Bourgeois Zee (10-13-2022),Danny Serafini (10-13-2022),herbdizzle (10-13-2022),HokieRed (10-13-2022),icehole3 (10-15-2022),klw (10-13-2022),mth123 (10-13-2022),Redhook (10-13-2022),SirFelixCat (10-13-2022),tcnoles1 (10-13-2022),UKFlounder (10-13-2022)
FYI - I hit the arroyo button by mistake. I wanted to vote for Marte.
You get a massive "Like" from me, JP.Originally Posted by podgejeff_
This is an undertaking.
podgejeff_ (10-13-2022),UKFlounder (10-13-2022)
I think Elly De La Cruz is the easy choice here.
If others have upside, he's circling the stars. De La Cruz has 60 game power, 70 raw power, and 70 speed. While his hit tool was pegged at a 40 FV, that was before he put up a .300+ BA in A+ and AA and age 20. That's ridiculous. All of it. He's also a legitimate SS, with a cannon for an arm. (20 errors at the position indicate he still has some work to do, obviously.) Kyle Boddy said he does things at SS that no one else can do-- and I can absolutely believe it.
Even better, it's apparent he works on his craft. His hit tool has turned out far better than I thought it would-- I thought he'd be exposed a bit as a hitter in AA, but he actually improved a bit not only from 2021, but in AA as well. Speaking of improvement, his BB rate jumped to 7.8%. While low, it's not the ruby red flag it was after 2021. These were his biggest hurdles and he seemingly fixed both of them while moving two levels over the course of the season and putting up All-Star numbers. How's that for upside?
Thing is, De La Cruz doesn't have to hit on every tool to be an impact, All-Star level player. If he's "just" a guy who can steal 50 bases and hit 20 HR who struggles with his BA and OBP, he still has 4.0+ bWAR in his pocket. His make-up is also apparently an added bonuis-- those baseball skills/ IQ are exceptional-- by every account, he's a fun kid who works hard at his craft.
I suspect the Reds will move him to AAA early in 2023. That's the safe route. Judge his performance against older veteran AAAA arms to see if he can succeed at the higher level. I also assume that he'll play SS-- he's not, as far as I know, been asked to change positions, while Noelvi Marte has begun learning 3B in the AFL. The temptation, of course, is to push him now. But the kid is only 20-- he'll be 21 just as Spring Training begins. If he hits well, I think he'll be in Cincinnati by the All-Star break. I keep waiting for him to slip up, to struggle, for his bubble to burst. So far, he's just kept on keeping on.
I do think De La Cruz's floor is lower than Noelvi Marte's, but only by a bit. That BB rate is still low. His K rate is too high to be considered a relative sure thing. But the tools are undeniable. On what we largely judge prospects (or should)-- production, tools, and upside-- EDLC has to be number one.
*BaseClogger* (10-13-2022),BoxingRed (10-15-2022),Eric in IL (10-15-2022),icehole3 (10-15-2022),podgejeff_ (10-13-2022),Redhook (10-13-2022),RedTeamGo! (10-15-2022),tcnoles1 (10-13-2022)
I am torn on this. I am glad that this is a difficult choice because of multiple exceptional talents.
“The guys we've had for the most part have been serviceable at this level.”
SirFelixCat (10-13-2022)
I voted for De la Cruz based on his upside, but I fully acknowledge that his K issues may be an achilles heal and Marte may end up having a better career. Its nice to have multiple guys worth considering.
Thanks for starting these threads. They are the highlight of the off-season. I did these for a couple years and it's a lot of work.
All my posts are my opinion - just like yours are. If I forget to state it and you're too dense to see the obvious, look here!
HokieRed (10-13-2022),podgejeff_ (10-13-2022),SirFelixCat (10-13-2022)
De La Cruz seems like he has the highest ceiling, but I like to take floor into account too. I think Marte is the safer bet to be a very productive MLB player, and I’m not too sure his ceiling is all that much lower than EDLC’s. Give me Marte.
So leave the polls open 2 days or 3?
I think Cam Collier has a good chance to be the correct answer three years from now
HokieRed (10-13-2022),Old school 1983 (10-13-2022)
I vote 2 days for the polls, but its your call.
All my posts are my opinion - just like yours are. If I forget to state it and you're too dense to see the obvious, look here!
klw (10-13-2022),podgejeff_ (10-13-2022),UKFlounder (10-13-2022)
Works for me. Future polls will be open for 2 days.
I have no idea how to change the current poll to reflect that.
UKFlounder (10-13-2022)
I'd just leave alone and start from there.
All my posts are my opinion - just like yours are. If I forget to state it and you're too dense to see the obvious, look here!
podgejeff_ (10-14-2022)
I see this point of view, but I think BZ laid out a good case for EDLCs floor being underrated at this point. It’s such a wide array of elite tools that he can shake out pretty weakly on the outcome bell curve and still be a productive, albeit weird player. Not comparing the two, but Hamilton like in some sense
Marte’s maybe safer as a pure hitter, but the bat’s gotta be there for the most part.
Last edited by RustyJ; 10-13-2022 at 01:24 PM.
He also doesn't have the speed.
Marte will, as you've said, have to hit.
EDLC can be Zack Cozart at his 20% floor.
Marte's 20% floor is as a AAA flame-out with a cup of coffee or two at the major league level.
I’m torn between EDLC and Collier. Gotta go EDLC because of proximity. I think Collier will be a beast.
Posting Permissions
|
Board Moderators may, at their discretion and judgment, delete and/or edit any messages that violate any of the following guidelines: 1. Explicit references to alleged illegal or unlawful acts. 2. Graphic sexual descriptions. 3. Racial or ethnic slurs. 4. Use of edgy language (including masked profanity). 5. Direct personal attacks, flames, fights, trolling, baiting, name-calling, general nuisance, excessive player criticism or anything along those lines. 6. Posting spam. 7. Each person may have only one user account. It is fine to be critical here - that's what this board is for. But let's not beat a subject or a player to death, please. |
Reply With Quote