What's up at second base?

by mcq fesijiba on Nov 13, 2006 7:25 PM EST

I see the top prospect list being populated with outfielders, pitchers, some third baseman and shortstops too. First basemen will be coming soon with Loney and Votto. But what about second base?

I've been thinking of some of my upcoming votes in the top prospects poll, and I can't say any second baseman are coming up soon. There just doesn't seem to be a Howie Kendrick or Rickie Weeks out there. This gets me thinking...who are all of the second base prospects?
Pedroia (Bos) - Very good prospect in his own way. I like him more than most, but his upside seems limited.
Callaspo (Ari) - Likewise.
Kevin Melillo (Oak) - Very solid. More power potential than the Callaspo and Pedroia?

And what about beyond them?
Blake DeWitt (LAD) - is he definitely going to move to second base full time? Despite his struggles after moving up to AA and continuing into the offseason league, he still looks to have some potential.
Trevor Crowe (Cle) - He was moved to second late last season. I found a post by indiansfan saying he is totally done at second base. So he's out, right?

Is there anybody else who could make some noise at second base? I am drawing a blank on others.

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Re: 2B

Crowe is completely done at 2B

Other 2B prospects include:
Evan Longoria (possibly)
Jed Lowrie (maybe SS)
Tony Abreu
Elliot Johnson
Kevin Fransden
Alexi Casilla (maybe SS)

by I Love Oakland As on Nov 13, 2006 7:27 PM EST reply actions

Frandsen

Of those guys, I did forget about Frandsen. He is a very interesting player and I do like him. Thanks for reminding me of him!

I guess Longoria could be a second baseman somewhere down the road, huh? I guess I have convinced myself that he'll wind up at third depending upon what happens with Upton.

by mcq fesijiba on Nov 13, 2006 7:45 PM EST up reply actions

Alexi Casilla

will probably end up at second because of Bartlett (unless of course his leadership skill deminish or the fire goes away) and will end there by 08 more than likely.

1941 .406

by FrozenTed9 on Nov 13, 2006 10:46 PM EST up reply actions

Patterson II, and some thoughts...

BP says that Eric Patterson is again looking strong in AFL action. Also, I wouldn't totally write off Marcus Sanders based on one bad season. And Eric Young's kid isn't terrible, and is terribly fast. I was so excited about Hernan Iribarren a couple years ago, but he doesn't look like he'll be hitting enough to play full-time now. :(

This may also be an ebb and flow thing, too... there really aren't any teams in dire straights at 2b right now. The Cubs and Cards were probably two of the worst last year, but the Cards have Miles, and the Cubs got some offense out of Walker before he left, and auditioned about 8 other players in that role. And to make up for two teams which are weak at the position, there are numerous teams with "extra" 2b's... Ryan Freel, Freddy Sanchez, Hector Luna, Esteban (Stone Hands) German, Dustin Pedroia, Howie Kendrick, etc.

Finally, 2b is a hazardous position, much like catcher... if I ran a farm system, and didn't see a dire need at 2b in the organization, I would probably resist putting my better prospects there until it was clear they'd be needed.

by BobbyMac on Nov 13, 2006 7:44 PM EST reply actions

Yeah

I think that may be one of the reasons the Tigers have Scott Sizemore playing SS right now. He's definitely a second baseman, not SS. He's too far away to be mentioned as one of the better second base prospects out there, but he has the potential to move up the ladder. I'm a Tiger fan, so I'm keeping my eye on him.

by mcq fesijiba on Nov 13, 2006 8:02 PM EST up reply actions

failed SS

I'm sure more than a few major league 2B are from shortstops.

Just like it's not necessary to have DH or even many 1B prospects because inevitably OF or 3B or even C prospects will be moved there.

Arthur: "Look, you stupid bastard, you've got no arms left!" Black Knight: "Yes I have." Arthur: "Look!" Black Knight: "It's just a flesh wound!"

by pedrophile on Nov 13, 2006 8:31 PM EST up reply actions

re

I would throw Corey Wimbeley in here too.

Patterson should be servicable for a few years. Even if he becomes a Corey clone, that production is solid for 2b as long as he plays good defense.

I have seen Young's kid for a few years now here in AZ. First at Chandler-Gilbert Collge, then in the AZeague, instructional league, Spring Training, etc. He has a lot of his old man in him as he's very fast and already very stocky. I wouldn't be surprised to see him develop into double-digit power. Not saying 20 bombs, but between 10-12 per year. When I first saw him his discipline was terrible, but he seems to be getting much better. If he moves up a level and performs at the same rate he did this year, I think he has to be considered a elite 2b prospect.

Sanders will have to put up a monster year to be considered a prospect. Even with one arm, a .200 ave in the Cali League is terrible.

by ScottAZ on Nov 13, 2006 10:43 PM EST up reply actions

EY2

re: "If he moves up a level and performs at the same rate he did this year, I think he has to be considered a elite 2b prospect."

Glad to hear the glowing first-hand report... If he hits like dad, and can play MLB average at 2b, he should indeed be something special. The idea of a switch-hitting version of Eric Young, Sr. is pretty cool, IMO. "Pure" leadoff types are rare these days, and Senior's lack of acceptable 2b defense and pronounced platoon split (clobbering lefties) were all that held him back from an even more prosperous career, IMO.

by BobbyMac on Nov 14, 2006 3:32 AM EST up reply actions

the

japanese guy could be used at 2b, not sure where i rank him as far as overall prospects though. some rumors SD or Boston may pick him up to play 2b

by SoCalSoxFan on Nov 13, 2006 8:08 PM EST reply actions

Possibly LaRoche

There have been rumors within the Dodger that if the situation changes, someone huge is brought in to be a 3B, then LaRoche could move to 2nd. I don't know if he could make the transition, but if he could, then he would probably be the best 2B prospect in baseball right now.

by ssjames on Nov 13, 2006 8:36 PM EST reply actions

unlikely

those were basically because of Aramis Ramirez rumors, which are now gone.

by PatrickTheDodgersFan on Nov 14, 2006 5:56 AM EST up reply actions

some decent 2nd baseman prospects

Dustin Pedroia
Alberto Callaspo
Blake DeWitt
Mark Reynolds
Eric Young Jr
Eric Patterson
Emilio Bonifacio

by bigboy1234 on Nov 13, 2006 11:29 PM EST reply actions

I like Patterson....

saw him live last year and he impressed me in Double A. Like was stated above, his AFL numbers seem to be very good. I would imagine the Cubs will at least give him a look over for the starting 2B job. His defense seems pretty solid and he has some good speed.

by Brock20 on Nov 14, 2006 12:30 PM EST reply actions

In my eyes...

I don't get why the Cubs haven't talked about this more. I'd definitely prefer him to Theorit.

by SenorGato88 on Nov 14, 2006 1:59 PM EST up reply actions

DeRosa

just signed a 3 year deal with the Cubs. I guess Patterson won't be the Cubbies second baseman any time soon.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2661869

"Dying is no big deal. The least of us will manage that. Living is the trick." - Red Smith

by finman on Nov 14, 2006 4:57 PM EST up reply actions

DeRosa

Well, when you get a chance to pick up a guy who's hit .260/.316/.366 against RHP in his career for a meager $4MM/yr, you just have to jump on it, I guess. Sigh

The Cubs had better hope that DeRosa v07 is closer to DeRosa v06 than he is to the previous versions, or Patterson won't be experiencing much blockage.

by BobbyMac on Nov 14, 2006 5:04 PM EST up reply actions