EHSPN Around the League: Second Base
After spending the last 2 1/2 years in the minors, Quebec City's Josh Barfield is finally ready for the show. Can the 24 year old live up to all the hype in his first full year in the EHCC, or will he be benched for 2006 batting champion Freddie Sanchez?
By Buster Lonie, EHSPN.com
The long awaited un-veiling of the EHSPN Scorecard. A series of writers from all over will break down the EHCC position by position. We now move on to with second base, a position very tough to analyze. After Chase Utley, any one of these guys could have a break-out season. Well, except for Marcus Giles, he’s a bum. But I digress.
Without further ado, I present you with the rankings.
Eastern Division
6. Marcus Giles, BRW
Giles just isn’t the same guy he used to be, and with Bridgewater building a new pitchers park, Giles's power numbers aren’t going to be what his EHCC owners are used too. He should get a decent amount of runs hitting 2nd in the Weasels dynamic lineup, but that is really his only contribution. GM Diggus might be able to find someone looking for a job in the draft that would love to play for a playoff contender and could be better suited for their lineup.
5. Chone Figgins, WEY
The only real value Figgins has over Giles is SBs. He is good for over 40, a decline over the previous seasons since he will now be batting 8th or 9th in the Shaddypoo lineup he will get less chances to take off. This will also bring a decline in runs, also. However, Weymouth should see an improvement in average and RBI in 2007.
4. Howie Kendrick, ARL
Kendrick’s first year in the EHCC wasn’t a good showing for the highly touted prospect. But EHCC beware; Kendrick’s potential is no fluke. Once he gets acclimated to the big league life, a tough EHCC schedule, and being a media whore for the expansion Warriors, he should flock to the top of the 2B rankings. He is definitely capable of being a 5 category contributor for Arlington.
3. Rickie Weeks, LV
Since Weeks has found himself on an EHCC roster, he has been a question mark. Everyone notes his potential, and Las Vegas was the one to jump on it, giving up big time slugger Vernon Wells to get him. Since then, Weeks has been a disappointment for the Doggs, yet to have played in 100 games or top 400 ABs. If Weeks stays healthy though, he should be a lock for 100 R and 30 SBs. At 24, he could also show his power potential and see 20 HRs.
2. Robinson Cano/Ian Kinsler, PEO
Peoria’s inaugural season in the EHCC was not a good one for GM Dave Grubb. He came in with the “build young” philosophy, but he started during the EHCC youth movement. He was able to pick up 2 very good 2B during the movement though. Cano and Kinsler, both 24, should be productive in the Cardinals faint lineup this year. Cano was 3rd in the Eastern Division in hitting, but should see that come down. Even so, his runs and RBI totals should be among the top of 2B in the EHCC if he stays healthy in 2007.
Kinsler was hampered by a dislocated thumb in 2006, but look for him to be a 4 category contributor for Peoria this season if they use him in the UTIL spot.
1. Chase Utley, RAK
Utley is no doubt the Number 1 choice at 2B this year. The 28-year-old superstar put up monster numbers for anyone in the league, much less a 2B. Utley had a career year in runs (131), homeruns (32), and batting average (.309), and he shows no signs of slowing down. At a position with slim pickings, Utley is head and shoulders above everyone else.
Western Division
6. Placido Polanco, SD
There isn’t much value here with Polanco. The most contribution he will make is in batting average where he is always right around .300. This is a position Santo Domingo should address in the draft, where there will be quite a few options that would serve their line-up better than Polanco.
5. Jose Lopez TKO
There is still a lot of potential here for Lopez. The man is only 23 years old, after all. He was an all-star in 2006, hitting .285 with 9 HRs and 58 RBI before the break. But after that he only managed 1 more HR and 21 RBIs. For Tokyo’s sake management hopes he returns to his all-star form, but look for them to draft a back-up just in case Lopez falls off the face of the earth, again.
4. Dan Uggla /Jorge Cantu, WS
Uggla was a huge surprise to many EHCC scouts last season. The Green Monsters GM would tell you different though. Uggla hit .282 while mashing 27 HRs, scoring over 100 runs and batting in 90. That was probably good enough for a top 3 2B nod last year. But don’t look for the same in 2007, coming into his sophomore season the Eastern Division pitchers have seen enough of this guy where he is almost a guarantee not to put up the same numbers. Look for a decline in average and homers, but batting 2nd should keep his runs total near 100.
Cantu, coming back from an injury stricken season, could be a name EHCC managers took out of their memory bank. In 2005, he hit 28 homeruns and batted in 117 runs. He also only struck out 83 times in 600 ABs. Then in 2006 in 413 at-bats he hit 14 HR, batted in 62 and struck out 91 times. Even if Cantu is completely healthy the entire season, I do not see him returning to 2005 form. The power may still be there, but Wiston- Salem won’t see the same production.
3. Felipe Lopez, GLD
Lopez will lead-off for Golden’s potentially league leading offense, and will be the spark plug behind it. He should be a lock for 100 runs and 40 SBs. His power numbers were down in 2006, and more of the same should be expected in 2007, even in Golden’s thin air.
2. Freddy Sanchez/Josh Barfield, QC
Well it certainly doesn’t hurt to have the Western Division batting champion in your lineup, but the Piglets also have Barfield who is one of the top young 2B just waiting for his break out to come. Look for Sanchez to add a little more pop to his bat this year and be a sleeper for 90 runs and RBIs. That bodes well for Quebec City who should get pretty good production from 2B this year.
1. Brian Roberts/Julio Lugo, TIJ
What a tandem Tijuana has for themselves to man the middle infield this year. Both have 2B eligibility, but Lugo will likely spend all his time at SS for the Hispanics. Look for both to score over 100 runs and top 30 SBs. They should also top 10 HRs this year which adds to their value. Overall, could be the best 2B platoon in the league under Utley.
Some who could be available in 2007 Major League Draft:
Jeff Kent – Kent could have another 25 HR, 100 RBI season before he goes 6 feet under.
Tadahito Iguchi – A known commodity, Iguchi has put up consistent numbers every year since he’s been in the EHCC. My guess is that it won’t change.
Brandon Phillips – Phillips has the potential to be a 20/20 guy in 2007, and is definitely a serviceable 2B for any EHCC squad.
Kelly Johnson – Apparently a coach in the ESSEC thinks Johnson has a chance at playing 2B this season. If an EHCC teams calls him up, he could be a great lead-off guy and has the potential for 100 runs and 20 HRs in 2007.
Ray Durham – 20 HRs? Are we talking about the same guy? Sure, why not take a risk on a 35 year old who apparently found his power stroke at 34.
Buster Lonie writes a column for EHSPN.com. He enjoys long walks on the beach, a nice wine cooler on the porch, and writing reviews for gay porn.
By Buster Lonie, EHSPN.com
The long awaited un-veiling of the EHSPN Scorecard. A series of writers from all over will break down the EHCC position by position. We now move on to with second base, a position very tough to analyze. After Chase Utley, any one of these guys could have a break-out season. Well, except for Marcus Giles, he’s a bum. But I digress.
Without further ado, I present you with the rankings.
Eastern Division
6. Marcus Giles, BRW
Giles just isn’t the same guy he used to be, and with Bridgewater building a new pitchers park, Giles's power numbers aren’t going to be what his EHCC owners are used too. He should get a decent amount of runs hitting 2nd in the Weasels dynamic lineup, but that is really his only contribution. GM Diggus might be able to find someone looking for a job in the draft that would love to play for a playoff contender and could be better suited for their lineup.
5. Chone Figgins, WEY
The only real value Figgins has over Giles is SBs. He is good for over 40, a decline over the previous seasons since he will now be batting 8th or 9th in the Shaddypoo lineup he will get less chances to take off. This will also bring a decline in runs, also. However, Weymouth should see an improvement in average and RBI in 2007.
4. Howie Kendrick, ARL
Kendrick’s first year in the EHCC wasn’t a good showing for the highly touted prospect. But EHCC beware; Kendrick’s potential is no fluke. Once he gets acclimated to the big league life, a tough EHCC schedule, and being a media whore for the expansion Warriors, he should flock to the top of the 2B rankings. He is definitely capable of being a 5 category contributor for Arlington.
3. Rickie Weeks, LV
Since Weeks has found himself on an EHCC roster, he has been a question mark. Everyone notes his potential, and Las Vegas was the one to jump on it, giving up big time slugger Vernon Wells to get him. Since then, Weeks has been a disappointment for the Doggs, yet to have played in 100 games or top 400 ABs. If Weeks stays healthy though, he should be a lock for 100 R and 30 SBs. At 24, he could also show his power potential and see 20 HRs.
2. Robinson Cano/Ian Kinsler, PEO
Peoria’s inaugural season in the EHCC was not a good one for GM Dave Grubb. He came in with the “build young” philosophy, but he started during the EHCC youth movement. He was able to pick up 2 very good 2B during the movement though. Cano and Kinsler, both 24, should be productive in the Cardinals faint lineup this year. Cano was 3rd in the Eastern Division in hitting, but should see that come down. Even so, his runs and RBI totals should be among the top of 2B in the EHCC if he stays healthy in 2007.
Kinsler was hampered by a dislocated thumb in 2006, but look for him to be a 4 category contributor for Peoria this season if they use him in the UTIL spot.
1. Chase Utley, RAK
Utley is no doubt the Number 1 choice at 2B this year. The 28-year-old superstar put up monster numbers for anyone in the league, much less a 2B. Utley had a career year in runs (131), homeruns (32), and batting average (.309), and he shows no signs of slowing down. At a position with slim pickings, Utley is head and shoulders above everyone else.
Western Division
6. Placido Polanco, SD
There isn’t much value here with Polanco. The most contribution he will make is in batting average where he is always right around .300. This is a position Santo Domingo should address in the draft, where there will be quite a few options that would serve their line-up better than Polanco.
5. Jose Lopez TKO
There is still a lot of potential here for Lopez. The man is only 23 years old, after all. He was an all-star in 2006, hitting .285 with 9 HRs and 58 RBI before the break. But after that he only managed 1 more HR and 21 RBIs. For Tokyo’s sake management hopes he returns to his all-star form, but look for them to draft a back-up just in case Lopez falls off the face of the earth, again.
4. Dan Uggla /Jorge Cantu, WS
Uggla was a huge surprise to many EHCC scouts last season. The Green Monsters GM would tell you different though. Uggla hit .282 while mashing 27 HRs, scoring over 100 runs and batting in 90. That was probably good enough for a top 3 2B nod last year. But don’t look for the same in 2007, coming into his sophomore season the Eastern Division pitchers have seen enough of this guy where he is almost a guarantee not to put up the same numbers. Look for a decline in average and homers, but batting 2nd should keep his runs total near 100.
Cantu, coming back from an injury stricken season, could be a name EHCC managers took out of their memory bank. In 2005, he hit 28 homeruns and batted in 117 runs. He also only struck out 83 times in 600 ABs. Then in 2006 in 413 at-bats he hit 14 HR, batted in 62 and struck out 91 times. Even if Cantu is completely healthy the entire season, I do not see him returning to 2005 form. The power may still be there, but Wiston- Salem won’t see the same production.
3. Felipe Lopez, GLD
Lopez will lead-off for Golden’s potentially league leading offense, and will be the spark plug behind it. He should be a lock for 100 runs and 40 SBs. His power numbers were down in 2006, and more of the same should be expected in 2007, even in Golden’s thin air.
2. Freddy Sanchez/Josh Barfield, QC
Well it certainly doesn’t hurt to have the Western Division batting champion in your lineup, but the Piglets also have Barfield who is one of the top young 2B just waiting for his break out to come. Look for Sanchez to add a little more pop to his bat this year and be a sleeper for 90 runs and RBIs. That bodes well for Quebec City who should get pretty good production from 2B this year.
1. Brian Roberts/Julio Lugo, TIJ
What a tandem Tijuana has for themselves to man the middle infield this year. Both have 2B eligibility, but Lugo will likely spend all his time at SS for the Hispanics. Look for both to score over 100 runs and top 30 SBs. They should also top 10 HRs this year which adds to their value. Overall, could be the best 2B platoon in the league under Utley.
Some who could be available in 2007 Major League Draft:
Jeff Kent – Kent could have another 25 HR, 100 RBI season before he goes 6 feet under.
Tadahito Iguchi – A known commodity, Iguchi has put up consistent numbers every year since he’s been in the EHCC. My guess is that it won’t change.
Brandon Phillips – Phillips has the potential to be a 20/20 guy in 2007, and is definitely a serviceable 2B for any EHCC squad.
Kelly Johnson – Apparently a coach in the ESSEC thinks Johnson has a chance at playing 2B this season. If an EHCC teams calls him up, he could be a great lead-off guy and has the potential for 100 runs and 20 HRs in 2007.
Ray Durham – 20 HRs? Are we talking about the same guy? Sure, why not take a risk on a 35 year old who apparently found his power stroke at 34.
Buster Lonie writes a column for EHSPN.com. He enjoys long walks on the beach, a nice wine cooler on the porch, and writing reviews for gay porn.
posted by JJ at 1:00 AM
4 Comments:
If Jeff Kent is in the draft, he should go in the first round.
Jaque Penot
Canadatown, Canada
Roberts has it all: contact, power, speed, and the nicest ass in the AL.
-Kevin Millar
The day the Piglets let Jeff Kent go is the day I become a Rakeville Rockets season ticket holder! Eh?
Jacques Trapp
Montreal, Quebec, Canadia
Every predraft ranking system I've found has Brandon Phillips ahead of Kinsler. I have them both. Just wanted to see how others might view their comparison?
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