Sox see Moncada as 2b

[bmags]

Moncada very talented but not a finished product per Hahn.. Can play second or third but Sox see him at second. Will start year in Minors

— Scott Merkin (@scottmerkin) December 6, 2016

 

Going to pull this out because its interesting in its own right. Thought Moncada was becoming a much better 3b than 2b.

[Bob Sacamano]

Moncada very talented but not a finished product per Hahn.. Can play second or third but Sox see him at second. Will start year in Minors

— Scott Merkin (@scottmerkin) December 6, 2016

 

Going to pull this out because its interesting in its own right. Thought Moncada was becoming a much better 3b than 2b.

 

Makes sense. And if he ends up out-growing the position, then he moves to third.

[chw42]

Moncada has too much speed and athleticism to play third IMO.

[southsider2k5]

Blah. I was hoping to see CF. 2B seems to be a waste.

[ChiSox1917]

Works for me.

 

Now if we can get Robles in a Q deal along with Severino (who I like a lot more than most because of his defensive ability) we've got the middle of the field covered for the next 5-7 years

[TheChrisSamsa]

Hahn said "up the middle" in his presser. I assumed he meant 2b with Anderson staying at SS, but that probably doesn't rule out CF completely.

[chitownsportsfan]

Blah. I was hoping to see CF. 2B seems to be a waste.

 

From all indications his issues in the infield are similar to Anderson's. Asking him to move to CF doesn't make sense as he'd have the same issues there, probably even more so as he's never consistently played there at any level. Just let him get reps in Charlotte he'll iron out his footwork in the infield. His arm is too good of an asset to move to CF imo. He will more easily be a plus defender at 2B than CF imo. In CF you'd be putting a lot of his defensive value in his routes, and I'm pretty sure if the Red Sox thought he was a natural out there he would already have moved.

[southsider2k5]

From all indications his issues in the infield are similar to Anderson's. Asking him to move to CF doesn't make sense as he'd have the same issues there, probably even more so as he's never consistently played there at any level. Just let him get reps in Charlotte he'll iron out his footwork in the infield. His arm is too good of an asset to move to CF imo. He will more easily be a plus defender at 2B than CF imo. In CF you'd be putting a lot of his defensive value in his routes, and I'm pretty sure if the Red Sox thought he was a natural out there he would already have moved.

 

His arm and his speed seem wasted at 2B.

[iamshack]

His arm and his speed seem wasted at 2B.

Don't tell that to the Hawkeroo!

 

I agree...a head scratcher why CF is not discussed more.

[Black_Jack29]

It's easier to find a 3B with a good bat than a 2B with a good bat. So I can see why they'd want Moncada at 2B.

 

It'll be interesting to see what they do with Frazier now. Do they offer him a four-year deal? That would keep him here through 2020.

Edited December 6, 2016 by Black_Jack29

[SkokieSox]

For those preferring CF, I wonder if the DP combo with Anderson is being discounted.

[chitownsportsfan]

His arm and his speed seem wasted at 2B.

 

2B and CF and 3B are both within about 5% production hitting wise at the MLB level (2016 data) it really doesn't make that much of a difference value wise the important thing is not to screw with the kid. Putting him in CF would be screwing with him and for what upside? That he's an elite CF where at 2B he might just be average? Just not a risk worth taking. This kids value is in his bat and his ability to project as average at 3B or 2B.

[chitownsportsfan]

For those preferring CF, I wonder if the DP combo with Anderson is being discounted.

 

Hate to say it but this isn't a video game, why would you ask this guy, who is no doubt going to be fairly unsettled for a minute, to move to a position he's never played regularly in pro baseball? It's not how you start the relationship imo.

[hi8is]

It'll be interesting to see what they do with Frazier now. Do they offer him a four-year deal? That would keep him here through 2020.

Hell no he's the next guy traded IMO

[southsider2k5]

2B and CF and 3B are both within about 5% production hitting wise at the MLB level (2016 data) it really doesn't make that much of a difference value wise the important thing is not to screw with the kid. Putting him in CF would be screwing with him and for what upside? That he's an elite CF where at 2B he might just be average? Just not a risk worth taking. This kids value is in his bat and his ability to project as average at 3B or 2B.

 

I would say having an elite CF is a clear enough reason to at least try the kid there. I am thinking more of DRS in the two positions, and the defensive shot that a star CF can give you.

[Quin]

Works for me.

 

Now if we can get Robles in a Q deal along with Severino (who I like a lot more than most because of his defensive ability) we've got the middle of the field covered for the next 5-7 years

 

Yeah, I need to see where Q goes now.

[caulfield12]

Still don't see the logic when a Gomez or Tilson can hold the spot before a natural CFer like Basabe takes over in 2019.

 

Maybe we get Robles, too?

 

We left Anderson at SS instead of moving him to CF and that worked out fine. Let him find one comfortable position on the infield before we end up moving him to yet another position. Plus watching him and Anderson together will be a scout's dream, barring any injuries.

 

About the best argument is protecting him from injuries (in the middle of the diamond), and we've seen our share in the outfield (Jared Mitchell, Schwarber, Avi, Tilson, Rowand, etc.) as well.

[southsider2k5]

Still don't see the logic when a Gomez or Tilson can hold the spot before a natural CFer like Basabe takes over in 2019.

 

Maybe we get Robles, too?

 

We left Anderson at SS instead of moving him to CF and that worked out fine. Let him find one comfortable position on the infield before we end up moving him to yet another position. Plus watching him and Anderson together will be a scout's dream, barring any injuries.

 

About the best argument is protecting him from injuries (in the middle of the diamond), and we've seen our share in the outfield (Jared Mitchell, Schwarber, Avi, Tilson, Rowand, etc.) as well.

 

I don't see the logic at putting a freak athlete at a position that utilizes his athletic ability about as little as possible.

[iamshack]

I don't see the logic at putting a freak athlete at a position that utilizes his athletic ability about as little as possible.

And that he's struggling with in regards to things like footwork and arm angles.

 

Seems like CF would be a more natural position and would allow him to focus more on his offense.

[Black_Jack29]

I imagine that the Sox will ultimately end up using Moncada where he's needed, and not necessarily where his value is maximized. If the Sox don't re-sign Frazier and don't get a 3B from elsewhere, there's a good chance that Moncada could move to 3B. If the Sox fill the long-term need at 3B but can't fill CF, he could move to CF.

 

[chitownsportsfan]

And that he's struggling with in regards to things like footwork and arm angles.

 

Seems like CF would be a more natural position and would allow him to focus more on his offense.

 

In my experience in the game, just as a player and also around some college and low level pro coaches, CF is as much instinctual as it is athletic. Hell, hit him 5000 fungos before April and see if when you hit it he goes and gets them with no missteps or wasted energy (hello Adam Eaton in CF). If he does, maybe he's a natural out there but if can't really believe the Red Sox didn't already do this. If was a natural out there, he'd probably already have been moved.

 

We'll see. As I said earlier, 3B, 2B and CF are all within 5% production wise (hitting) in MLB so whatever position he ends up at is fine, just play it at least league average. This isn't a situation where he's moving to LF or 1B.

[The Sir]

Still don't see the logic when a Gomez or Tilson can hold the spot before a natural CFer like Basabe takes over in 2019.

 

Maybe we get Robles, too?

 

We left Anderson at SS instead of moving him to CF and that worked out fine. Let him find one comfortable position on the infield before we end up moving him to yet another position. Plus watching him and Anderson together will be a scout's dream, barring any injuries.

 

About the best argument is protecting him from injuries (in the middle of the diamond), and we've seen our share in the outfield (Jared Mitchell, Schwarber, Avi, Tilson, Rowand, etc.) as well.

 

I get the nuance of saying "like Basabe", but that particular dude hit .258 in A ball. I would say " like Tilson" long before I'd say "like Basabe".

 

[caulfield12]

I get the nuance of saying "like Basabe", but that particular dude hit .258 in A ball. I would say " like Tilson" long before I'd say "like Basabe".

 

Still, but for now, I'm much more optimistic about another team's Latin American prospects developing...since it has been nearly two decades since our last two impact position players from that region of the world.

 

Not being optimistic or hopeful at all, that's been our condition for going on a decade now. So why not at least be 50% optimistic?

 

One thing we can be 100% sure about is that we weren't about to overspend (again) in a terrible FA market, leaving another half-baked +/- 5 games of .500 team again.

[southsideirish71]

In my experience in the game, just as a player and also around some college and low level pro coaches, CF is as much instinctual as it is athletic. Hell, hit him 5000 fungos before April and see if when you hit it he goes and gets them with no missteps or wasted energy (hello Adam Eaton in CF). If he does, maybe he's a natural out there but if can't really believe the Red Sox didn't already do this. If was a natural out there, he'd probably already have been moved.

 

We'll see. As I said earlier, 3B, 2B and CF are all within 5% production wise (hitting) in MLB so whatever position he ends up at is fine, just play it at least league average. This isn't a situation where he's moving to LF or 1B.

 

Same here as well. The idea of X player will just play this position that he never played before. It requires thousands and thousands of reps to drill in some of this first step footwork for those who never played the OF especially a premier position such as CF. Unless you are okay with your really fast player chasing balls he misplayed in the gap or on the other side of it getting hurt because he is trying to make up for a bad jump and diving. In reality we need to make sure we attempt to develop him at his natural position first. I don't see lots of people complaining that Dustin Pedroia, Javey Baez or Jose Altuve are wasting their talents playing 2b. Middle infield is a premier position and I dont care if my best athletes are up the middle of the infield first.

 

 

 

 

 

[GreenSox]

I imagine that the Sox will ultimately end up using Moncada where he's needed, and not necessarily where his value is maximized. If the Sox don't re-sign Frazier and don't get a 3B from elsewhere, there's a good chance that Moncada could move to 3B. If the Sox fill the long-term need at 3B but can't fill CF, he could move to CF.

If the alternatives are Saladino/Lawrie, then play Moncada where he's best suited. Saladino plays both positions well and you'll have the same offensive liability either way.