The Brewster

While the case for Angel De Castillo (.306/.375/.535, 19 HR, 49 RBI) to make his third All-Star game continues to grow daily, the competition grows more interesting. The YS9 second baseman leads Frick 2B with 19 homers, and 100 hits. His 63 runs scored is tops. Tag on that he’s in the top three of most other metrics (average, slugging, OPS, OBP, and others). By WAR, he’s 4th, but that brings up the issue California’s GM often rails about—he’s split his season and is playing 2B and 3B…so each game he plays at 3B derates his WAR just that much.

All that said, the competition is intense.

Omaha’s James Monger (.310/.362/.571, 18 HR, 57 RBI) has completed the transition to 2B, and leads the position in average, slugging, total bases and RBI. His WAR is 4.1, best for FL 2B. His glove is also probably the best of the contenders, though De Castillo’s defensive efficiency is quite respectable.

Then there’s California’s stellar Claudio Defazio (.280/.397/.498, 11 HR, 37 RBI), who leads the league in OBP and whose 3.9 WAR is a hair’s breadth behind Monger’s. The glove, too, is solid.

A dark horse is Long Beach’s rookie Sloan Daniel (.307/.393/.530, 13 HR, 34 RBI), whose 3.2 WAR at the halfway mark is beginning to make a case for the kid as rookie of the year. Who knows, right? Lot of baseball to play.

“I’m happy to be in the mix,” De Castillo said as he came out of a meeting with his agent where the two were rumored to be discussing a contract negotiation. If selected, the appearance would be the Dominican’s third, whereas the competition would each be making their first appearance. One would assume that being named to the position would enable him to put more screws to the team’s front office, but at this point it may not be necessary as those negotiations have apparently not been fruitful. “These things take time,” the team’s spokesman said. “We’re focused on winning right now, but of course we want our guys to be fairly compensated.”

Defazio, 29 career WAR in 7 seasons, never been an all star. De Castillo, 22.8 WAR in 6 seasons. Two time all star. Second base has been really deep for awhile now, but dammit Defazio should have been one by now. Of course, I'm picking the backups this year so ...

Ted wrote: ↑

Fri Oct 12, 2018 2:43 pm

Defazio, 29 career WAR in 7 seasons, never been an all star. De Castillo, 22.8 WAR in 6 seasons. Two time all star. Second base has been really deep for awhile now, but dammit Defazio should have been one by now. Of course, I'm picking the backups this year so ...

De Castillo was named as a shortstop at least once. Defazio's "problem" is that he's good at everything, but elite at not much. Huge value, but not a sexy candidate.

I'm guessing he'll have an in as a sub if he doesn't win the vote. I'm thinking that the final order is probably Monger, De Castillo, Defazio ... but you could put any of them in without any controversy at all.

That's a good race. As for the Gillstrom, Terada's injury just knocked him out, so Daniel is probably the front runner.

Lane wrote: ↑

Fri Oct 12, 2018 3:11 pm

That's a good race. As for the Gillstrom, Terada's injury just knocked him out, so Daniel is probably the front runner.

terada's sheer numbers will still hold up very well at the end of the season...

As for the all-star debate, just imagine how crowded this 2B field would be if jared gillstrom hadnt been hurt most of the season....

Yeah, Terada's numbers will look fine at the end of the season but I don't think they'll be a match for Daniel after he plays 81 more games.

Xue-Quin Man is also getting muscled out by these second-basemen. He's a great player, but he's no match for the power these guys have. He's excellent defensively though.

Spiccoli wrote: ↑

Fri Oct 12, 2018 4:17 pm

Xue-Quin Man is also getting muscled out by these second-basemen. He's a great player, but he's no match for the power these guys have. He's excellent defensively though.

Man is having another great year. He'd have to be way outperforming everyone else to get my all star vote though, as I usually go for the guys with the power. I like to see all star games become home run derbies!

If Man could take a walk, he'd be in the mix. As it is, with no power and no plate discipline, his elite defense is drowned out to make him merely "really good."

Lane wrote: ↑

Fri Oct 12, 2018 4:11 pm

Yeah, Terada's numbers will look fine at the end of the season but I don't think they'll be a match for Daniel after he plays 81 more games.

quoting this for the inevitable daniel injury.