Jesus Montero vs Freddie Freeman
by Dewey Finn on Jan 10, 2009 9:11 PM EST
Email
PrintI had a difficult time deciding between the two when asked about providing a list of keepers in another post. I looked at both their numbers and was amazed at how similar they were. Montero currently plays Catcher, although, from what I've read, he profiles as a 1B/DH long-term. Freeman is a 1B with above avg defense.
Assuming Montero is moved to 1B/DH, whom do you prefer of the two?
Here is some information and numbers that I looked at...
Montero: Born November 28, 1989, 6'4" & 225 LB (controversy surrounding true age when he signed)
Freeman: Born September 12, 1989, 6'5" & 220 LB
Low A (SAL)
Montero: .326/.376/.491/.868, 525 AB, 34 2B, 17 HR, 87 RBI, 258 TB, 37/83 BB/K
Freeman: .316/.378/.521/.899, 491 AB, 33 2B, 18 HR, 95 RBI, 256 TB, 46/84 BB/K
Montero: .166 ISOP, 6.5 BB%, 14.6 K%, 18 LD %, .372 wOBA
Freeman: .206 ISOP, 8.4 BB%, 15.6 K%, 19 LD%, .386 wOBA
So, what are your thoughts? Who is the better hitting prospect & why?
If you believe Montero sticks at catcher, then he wins easily.
However, my question is based on the assumption that Montero is a 1B/DH at the major league level.
37 comments
|
7 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Funny...
if we’re talking about power potential—isn’t Montero the guy who some scouts said had potential 80 power?
If Freeman wins, it’s because of the numbers so far, not power potential.
So...
We have one non-Yankee scout that pegged him as having potential 80 power when he was 16, 2.5 years, ago before he ever played a game of professional baseball? I guess there is no chance that could have changed in the intervening 2.5 years when Montero hasn’t exactly flashed that amazing power potential. Obviously there is also no chance that Freeman was ever considered in the same range or that the sizable power advantage he showed this past season in the same league could have changed scouts opinions of that front.
Yeah, I'm sure it was one, ever.
Now go make me a sandwich.
The point is the power potential of the two is at worst, comparable. Freeman certainly doesn’t win “just by pure power potential alone”.
Your the one who brought up what scouts were saying
I was just pointing out that a 2.5 year old article where one scout described Montero’s power potential as 80 doesn’t really prove the point I thought you were trying to make (that Montero has better power potential). I honestly agree that Freeman doesn’t win “just by pure power potential alone,” but I also don’t think its crazy to believe that Freeman does have slightly better power potential.
agreed
If you look at the numbers, then Freeman wins if they are both 1B
If you saw both play in person
Montero had much better bat speed and was much more under control at the plate. Freeman’s mechanics will need some refinements as he’s very fidgety and it was messing up his timing.
Mike Newman
baseballhandyman.com
by Baseball Handyman on Jan 11, 2009 1:25 PM EST up reply actions
Freeman
One of my buddies saw Montero play this year, said he’s pretty thick already and is quite slow. Body wise he might end up with a Molina-esque catching physique, minus the defense. With Tex locked up, i wouldn’t be surprised if they give Montero a couple more years in the minors, but i imagine even if he plays catcher for a year or two the move is inevitable.
Overall, i’d take Freeman might hit for less power, but hit for a higher avg. and has a set position. I liken him to Lyle Overbay before he got to the Jays.
Montero's major league position
While it is unlikely he is a MLB level catcher (although possible, and I was impressed with his game-calling abilities when I saw him) It is not a sure bet that he is limited to 1B/DH. He appears athletic enough to potentially man LF.
If Matt Laporta can do it, than Jesus Montero can do it.
ProjectProspect.com - Sullivan10x@yahoo.com
LaPorta
Baseball America has him listed at 1B for their 2012 lineup, with Weglarz in LF, FWIW.
Now raise your goblet of rock. It's a toast to those who rock!
Okay.
If Weglarz can do it, Montero can do it, lol.
ProjectProspect.com - Sullivan10x@yahoo.com
But then the question comes up
I think that Freeman still wins on defensive value because he could be 5 runs better at 1B than Montero in LF. Thats not stretch, is it? I can’t imagine Montero being average in LF and if Freeman truly is above average there is still a difference in Freeman’s favor of about 5 runs or .5 WAR
by Navi's_Navy on Jan 11, 2009 10:26 AM EST up reply actions
*Disclaimer*
Those estimations are based on little objective information
by Navi's_Navy on Jan 11, 2009 10:37 AM EST up reply actions
He's a downright AWFUL catcher
On a scale of 1-10, I give him a 3 on a good day! No way he stays behind the dish.
Mike Newman
baseballhandyman.com
by Baseball Handyman on Jan 11, 2009 1:23 PM EST up reply actions
If this guy wasn't a Yankees prospect?
He can catch. He wouldn’t be behind the plate if he couldn’t. The Yankees wouldn’t risk impeding his development if he couldn’t catch.
Nah
Catching can be good for a young player even if they’re not expected to stay behind the plate. Catching in the pros encourages a player’s awareness of game situations and mental development in general. For a very young player like Montero, this is especially helpful. And of course, sometimes guys surprise you.
game calling
can you say what you mean by ‘impressed with his game-calling’? because a statement like that smells sorta like hyperbole…
by Patrick Clark on Jan 11, 2009 11:00 PM EST up reply actions
I dont know if you can safely assume that
he will be moved from catcher, they are gonna give him plenty of time to develop at C.
While i think many people believe it is very likely that he is moved to 1st, i dont think its considered “inevitable” yet.
Having said that, if he gets moved I think I agree with the rest, Freeman.
Check out my baseball analysis blog FANalytics
When i wrote this post
In my head i was thinking about Logan Morrison, not sure why… I would change this to Montero, and its not close.
Check out my baseball analysis blog FANalytics
i think he may be moved from C
But I doubt Romine will be good enough to claim the job when Posada’s done. He’d be a good backup, but I think the Yanks would sign a big name if Montero doesn’t stick there. With Tex locked down, if Montero could call a game ok maybe it’d just be smartest to leave him there for a little while and see if he improves with MLB experience and coaching, though I doubt playing for NY would work well with the whole “patience” thing.
The 2008 Rogelio Moret League Fantasy Baseball Champions!
by The Congo Hammer on Jan 11, 2009 12:55 AM EST reply actions
If Romine
builds on last year’s finish I see no reason why he can’t be a good starter at C in the MLB.
--Pablo Zevallos of yankeesfuture.wordpress.com
by Pablo Zevallos on Jan 11, 2009 9:33 AM EST up reply actions
I think we're all forgetting
Montero’s potential > Freeman’s potential with the bat. However, once defense at 1B is considered, I think it’s a tie. Of course, if Montero sticks at catcher, he wins.
--Pablo Zevallos of yankeesfuture.wordpress.com
?
Just wondering what that statement is based on. An honest question. If it’s scouting reports, I’d love to see them.
If you read the report from BA's top 10
I cant post the whole thing because its subscriber only, but they call him the systems best bat since Jeter, except with way more power.
It says he has the athleticism and Bat to profile as a 1st baseman, but the yanks see him as a mike piazza clone behind the plate. It also says he has above average arm strength and made significant strides defensively.
Another well respected site said his bat will play at any position and refers to him as one of the minors top power bats.
Check out my baseball analysis blog FANalytics
Hmm
I guess my point is more along the lines that definitive statements like “I think we’re all forgetting that Montero’s potential > Freeman’s potential with the bat” aren’t really provable and thus not helpful.
What, in prospecting...
is provable? If you ignore scouting reports and just go by age, level, and production, you’re going to have some pretty terrible prospect picks.
I’m not saying ignore scouting reports, I’m saying give me scouting reports that support your argument. Show me one that compares the two or even that gives raw scores and then I’ll feel comfortable with statements that “I think we’re all forgetting that Montero’s potential > Freeman’s potential with the bat.”
Things like ‘best bat in the system since Jeter’ don’t really support the argument, they just sound optimism about Montero in a way that tells us nothing about the comparison with Freeman.
I guess what I’m really saying is I don’t know which one is better and neither do you. I’ve read the BA reports on both and I still don’t know the answer. I was hoping in this thread that somebody would teach me something rather than just say ‘x is better’ – ‘no, y is better.’
Sorry I bothered.
Montero
I would take Montero and I don’t think it is even too close. Freeman has the chance to be very good, but Montero has the chance to be an elite hitter.
"When a true genius appears in the world, you may know him by this sign, that the dunces are all in confederacy against him."
-Jonathan Swift
by King Billy Royal on Jan 11, 2009 12:08 PM EST reply actions
Why not 'elite' for Freeman?
Scouting reports I’ve read say he’s got the potential to be a true power hitter with a high average and good defense at 1B. Only real criticisms are that he’s slow and very aggressive at the plate, although his contact rate seems to be a real strength. Montero may have the edge in raw power, but unless there’s something I’ve missed, I don’t think Montero is a step above with the bat.
Also, Freeman’s said to be a very good defender at 1B, while Montero would presumably not be any great shakes once he gets moved.
after reading up a little more on them
I am inclined to agree with you.
Check out my baseball analysis blog FANalytics
As somebody who has seen both play in person....
Montero is a more polished hitter, Freeman is the better defensive player. They should both be similarly ranked entering 2009. I wrote both up in depth after watching them.
Mike Newman
baseballhandyman.com
by Baseball Handyman on Jan 11, 2009 1:21 PM EST reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
