A Flock of Bluebirds 2041.17- Grading the Position Player Group

[recte44]

A Flock of Bluebirds 2041.17- Grading the Position Player Group
October 28, 2041

On to the Player Grades for the "Position Player Group" for the 2041 season....and in case you are one of the people wondering just how we turned Nashville into a playoff team in two seasons with what some have referred to as an underwhelming roster, the answer is quite simple. We platoon. A LOT. In fact, we platoon at every single position except for third base (Tony Frost) and left field (Gipper Kengos), and towards the end of the season first base (Ernesto Souza). So no one pops out at you by sheer numbers, but the combination of multiple players at eight positions equals success. Let's take a deeper look at these "not good players".

Gipper Kengos, LF
.314/.387/.413/.801, 152 G, 624 AB, 102 R, 196 H, 39 2B, 7 3B, 3 HR, 70 RBI, 258 TB, 69 BB, 145 K, 30 SB. 2 CS, 3.5 WAR

The prototypical sparkplug leadoff man. Great gap power, an great baserunner, and absolutely elite left-fielder (though the voters somehow think a guy with 6 errors and a .977 fld% should win the Zimmer over Kengos' completely flawless 1.000 fld% year). He's been fantastic, though the club wouldn't mind seeing more production against RHP moving forward. GRADE: A-

Ernesto Souza, 1B
.326/.375/.606/.980, 126 G, 497 AB, 105 R, 162 H, 30 2B, 5 3B, 33 HR, 92 RBI, 301 TB, 32 BB, 88 K, 0 SB/CS, 3.0 WAR

After a slow start to the year, there was some concern that Souza was going to struggle again. Those fears were eliminated quickly as he exploded through the summer months, despite missing some time to injury. He even began to play against LHP towards the end of the season and had success doing so. Expect another bump from Souza in 2042. GRADE: A

Sixto Mejia, RF/DH
.270/.313/.480/.793, 123 G, 485 AB, 71 R, 131 H, 31 2B, 1 3B, 23 HR, 100 RBI, 233 TB, 33 BB, 117 K, 0 SB/CS, -0.2 WAR

The league has been talking about how it's possible for good ol' HGH to have a negative WAR. Here's another one. You're telling me this is below replacement level? He led the Bluebirds in RBI for pete's sake. What's a guy gotta do? And yes, I realize he has zero defensive impact in a positive manner, and he's only playing against RHP for the most part. But still, come on WAR! GRADE: C

Francisco Otero, SS
.265/.361/.420/.781, 124 G, 476 AB, 85 R, 126 H, 31 2B, 8 3B, 9 HR, 65 RBI, 200 TB, 70 BB, 122 K, 31 SB, 23 CS, 1.7 WAR

The strong half of the shortstop platoon, Otero does exactly what he's supposed to do. He gets on base and plays good defense. That's all the club asks of him. The extra gap power was a surprise. Wish he'd strike out less, but not every player is perfect...especially guys like Otero who come labeled with warts. GRADE: B-

William Wood, RF/CF
.287/.365/.570/.935, 123 G, 467 AB, 90 R, 134 H, 21 2B, 3 3B, 35 HR, 96 RBI, 266 TB, 53 BB, 128 K, 19 SB, 6 CS, 2.9 WAR

Big money deals equal big money expectations. For the most part, Wood was the player we thought he'd be. Of course he's overpaid- that's just free agency. Nashville tried to make it work with him in center field but he's markedly better in right field. With Ata needing to split time between center field and pitching, Wood will still need to swing back and forth for as long as he can, and primarily will continue to sit against lefties. GRADE: B-

Jesus Yan, 2B
.282/.327/.418/.745, 123 G, 447 AS, 54 R, 126 H, 32 2B, 7 3B, 5 HR, 52 RBI, 187 TB, 25 BB, 72 K, 30 SB, 7 CS, 1.6 WAR

Yan is the perfect strong platoon player at second base. Outstanding defense, good gap power and a presence on the basepaths. A superstar he's not, but a real solid contributor. GRADE: B-

Alberto Rodriguez, C
.298/.368/.538/.906, 123 G, 446 AB, 82 R, 133 H, 36 2B, 1 3B, 23 HR, 90 RBI, 240 TB, 42 BB, 96 K, 0 SB/CS, 4.0 WAR

Here's a good one, Rodriguez's first full season will result in a Puckett Award. He'll continue to sit against most lefties. As a catcher it gives him rest and plays to his strengths. Decent defensive year, though the CS% could be higher. GRADE: A

Tony Frost, 3B
.270/.348/.414/.762, 119 G, 430 AB, 58 R, 116 H, 25 2B, 5 3B, 9 HR, 55 RBI, 178 TB, 42 BB, 96 K, 3 SB, 2 CS, 1.4 WAR

When Jerome Delage started the year with an abysmal showing, the Bluebirds were forced to rush Frost the the show. They knew he wasn't quite ready with the bat, but ready enough to compete and provide elite defense at the hot corner. All told, it was a successful rookie year for him. There is much, much more untapped potential that will bloom over the next couple of seasons. GRADE: C+

Kidane Ata, CF
.274/.320/.495/.815, 103 G, 372 AB, 60 R, 102 H, 27 2B, 0 3B, 17 HR, 55 RBI, 184 TB, 25 BB, 92 K, 11 SB, 5 CS, 2.2 WAR

Ata the Position Player continues to be a mixed bag, which allows for the two-way plan to continue. He's absolutely an elite center fielder, but just cannot hit RHP. The good news? He is a beast against LHP. Consider this, his line vs LHP: .333/.391.706/1.098. Pretty good. GRADE: B-

Alonso Olvere, RF
.318/.357/.533/.890, 82 G, 321 AB, 58 R, 102 H, 27 2B, 0 3B, 14 HR, 59 RBI, 171 TB, 20 BB, 53 K, 2 SB, 0 CS, 1.2 WAR

One of the big decisions the Bluebirds will have to make going into the offseason is how they can best utilize Olvere. He's best suited to DH, as his right field defense leaves much to be desired. A lefty stick, he and Mejia are redundant on the roster so a choice will likely have to be made. Mejia is younger, cheaper and has more power potential. Olvere is a better overall hitter, with less power and costs more. What to do? GRADE: B-

Jerome Delage, 2B/3B
.232/.320/.400/.760, 75 G, 259 AB, 41 R, 60 H, 17 2B, 2 3B, 11 HR, 41 RBI, 114 TB, 28 BB, 61 K, 4 SB, 0 CS, 0.3 WAR

Given the horrific start Delage had to the season, the above numbers are mildly impressive. But let's get real here. Delage signed a four year deal worth over $6M per year. Multiple times during the 2041 season he was waived/DFA and put up for grabs for any team in the league to take him for free. All teams declined to do so. We're now looking at Delage as the short half of a second base platoon and he's owed nearly $20M for the next three seasons. Yikes. And you can bet he's not going to be pleased with his playing time.GRADE: D-

Ramon Camacho, C
.214/.289/.351/.640, 46 G, 154 AB, 19 R, 33 H, 9 2B, 0 3B, 4 HR, 15 RBI, 54 TB, 16 BB, 46 K, 0 SB/CS, -0.1 WAR

Rule 5 Draftee who played against lefties. Against lefties he posted a slash line of .247/.333/.444/.778. He was abysmal in 73 ab's against RHP, as could be expected. Replacement level player if there ever was one. Will have to improve to stick in the BBA next year, but will remain with the organization for sure. Maybe there's a bit more development left, who knows? GRADE: D

J.J. McQuade, SS
.279/.323/.474/.797, 53 G, 154 AB, 19 R, 43 H, 8 2B, 2 3B, 6 HR, 22 RBI, 73 TB, 11 BB, 29 K, 5 SB, 3 CS, 0.6 WAR

McQuade did exactly what he was signed to do (sensing a theme here?). He hit decent enough against LHP and played great defense. We got through a whole season without him complaining about more playing time, which is frankly amazing to the Nashville front office. Can we make it through another?

Mario Deortez, 1B
.199/.288/.348/.636, 52 G, 141 AB, 23 R, 28 H, 6 2B, 0 3B, 5 HR, 24 RBI, 49 TB, 14 BB, 46 K, 0 SB/CS, -0.7 WAR

YUCK. HE GONE. GRADE: F-----

Stephen Lord, RF
.306/.403/.515/.917, 38 G, 134 AB, 22 R, 41 H, 5 2B, 1 3B, 7 HR, 29 RBI, 69 TB, 22 BB, 35 K, 0 SB, 1 CS, 0.7 WAR

Amazingly, a kid who was hitting .186 in AA Level High Point got brought up to the big leagues and showed that he definitely belongs. If one of Olvere or Mejia is moved, Lord would be the right fielder vs LHP to start the 2042 season. His defense isn't fantastic, but it's above average and far beyond what either of the Olvere/Mejia duo could offer. GRADE: B+

Sam Wade, 2B/3B
.283/.392/.434/.826, 40 G, 106 AB, 20 R, 30 H, 8 2B, 1 3B, 2 HR, 11 RBI, 46 TB, 19 BB, 23 K, 6 SB, 0 CS, 0.7 WAR

Wade wasn't entirely pleased with his lack of playing time, especially after the Bluebirds gave him a new contract last year. He did perform well when called upon, and may be called upon a bit more next season, unless traded to a team that views him as a starter. GRADE: C

Nacho Mendez, RF
.259/.318/.494/.812, 34 G, 81 AB, 9 R, 21 H, 1 2B, 3 3B, 4 HR, 11 RBI, 40 TB, 7 BB, 24 K, 4 SB, 1 CS, -0.1 WAR

Mendez was still jockeying for a spot on the BBA roster throughout the year. With the expected departure of Deortez, Mendez should not only be on the team but will likely find a spot playing versus most (if not all) left-handed pitchers. #TrustThePlatoons GRADE: D

[jleddy]

I guess you could say my freshman year of college was a bunch of Atas and Frosts.

Nicely done, great recap.