Allen Craig (opening day age - 26), David Freese (27), and Tyler Greene (27) have each shown pormise in the minor leagues. Because of age, each is entering a pivotal year in which he will likely define himself as a player, whether that be an everyday contributor, a utility man, or merely a guy who cannot translate his game to the major league level.
Freese took a long path to the big leagues, which is part of the reason for the advanced age; and, now he seems to be so injury prone that the prolonged loss of Nick Punto (his back-up) is reason for concern. Throughout the minors he hit for average, and even a little bit of power. The thought was that the power may not translate, but his on base abilities and passable glove could make him a 3B starter for the St. Louis Cardinals.
Tyler Greene has been touted as a solid defender in the middle infield who has above average power for the position. His big league game has been a different story though, as he has been erratic both defensively and offensively. Many familiar with him say that when he's on the big league field, he tenses up, causing the uncharacteristic play. He is now being played in the infield and outfield, perhaps grooming him for a super utility role. I am intrigued by the home run distance he has shown, so he is someone I am not yet ready to write off.
Allen Craig had just 144 at bats last year and the results weren't great (246/298/412). The sample size is pretty small to draw conclusions, so I will paint broad strokes. There was talk last season that he had a hard time adjusting to intermittent playing time while with the big league club. He is not an elite enough prospect to be guaranteed an everyday spot, so he will have to adjust to limited playing time if he wants to progress his career.
It won't guarantee the post season (not even close), but progression of the aforementioned Cardinals would secure much needed depth for the roster. If all goes well, perhaps we won't be forced to make any more Pedro Feliz or Randy Winn signings for the next few years.
Allen Craig had just 144 at bats last year and the results weren't great (246/298/412). The sample size is pretty small to draw conclusions, so I will paint broad strokes. There was talk last season that he had a hard time adjusting to intermittent playing time while with the big league club. He is not an elite enough prospect to be guaranteed an everyday spot, so he will have to adjust to limited playing time if he wants to progress his career.
It won't guarantee the post season (not even close), but progression of the aforementioned Cardinals would secure much needed depth for the roster. If all goes well, perhaps we won't be forced to make any more Pedro Feliz or Randy Winn signings for the next few years.
Side note:
I heard Jonah Keri (contributor to The Wall Street Journal, fangraphs, and probably other stuff too) on the Bernie Miklasz radio show today. He has a book coming out, "The Extra Two Percent: How Wall Street Strategies Took a Major League Baseball Team from Worst to First." The team to which the title refers, is the Tampa Bay Rays. All I know about it is what the guy said on the radio, but it looks like a moneyball style book, with a heavier and updated business perspective. It will be available March 8, 2011, and I look forward to reading it.
still couldn't find break tab.
ReplyDelete