That's What Cheesehead: 37.19 - Wolves to Stick with Thealer at SS

[7teen]

A recent report issued by the BBA on league wide defense showed that the Madison Wolves defense is one of the worst in the league. To be more specific, the Wolves overall defense ranked the 4th worst in the league while the team's infield defense ranked dead last among the league's 30 current teams. In fact when you look at the numbers, the Wolves' infield defense was nearly twice as bad as anyone else in the league minus Wichita. But with that said, don't expect the Wolves to make any changes to it anytime soon.

The obvious "hole" in the Wolves defense has been Jharrod Thealer. Drafted as a second baseman and having never played another position in amateur ball or in the minor leagues, Thealer was asked late last season about the possibility of playing some shortstop. The young middle infielder accepted the challenge and the change led to poor team results at season's end. So bad were the Wolves in August that many thought the team would scrap the idea all together.

But here we are, 2037 and Thealer has started 44 games for the Wolves at shortstop this season. The reason behind the move, as manager Millard Davis has indicated several times is to "get as much offense in the lineup as we can" states Davis. "We tried the defense mentality last season and it didn't get us very far. If nothing else I'm willing to roll the dice and see what works and so far, this approach is working. We're scoring runs. Of course we are giving up a lot too, but we're winning games and winning games is what matters in the end."

The decision to play Thealer at SS was in an effort to put Mons Raider back at 2B so that Jon Mick and Natanael Barral could occupy the DH and 1B positions. This maximizes the Wolves offense the best but as reports are showing, severely hampers the infield defense.

Thealer, with only above average range and a slightly average arm, has played negative defense at a position that most teams want elite fielding. When you put it all together, Thealer ranks 8th in the Frick League in range among SS and has committed the 4th most errors at the position. But on the flip side, as Davis indicates "he's also been part of the most double plays than anyone at the spot, has a positive WAR, and gets on base." Davis continued "its a risk we are willing to continue to take at this point. Thealer has improved his play at the spot and we need his bat in the lineup. Sometimes you just have to play your best players and ignore their faults."

So far for the Wolves, the individual strengths have propelled them to a winning record. Let's hope the obvious faults continue to be hidden.

[recte44]

Turn your infield shift slider up, that’ll help.

[7teen]

Turn your infield shift slider up, that’ll help.

That moment you realize there is an infield shift slider....