The Brewster

Is Jean-Luc 'Wall' Lacaze having the greatest season in EBA history?

Looking at his numbers and how dominant he has been this season as a complete player, I think its hard to dispute that he isn't. Through 93 games, he has a hefty .356/.467/.656 batting line with 26 HR's and 75 RBI's to go along with 23 SB's. That puts him on pace to belt 43 HR's, drive in 125 RBI's, and swipe 38 bags. He has a shot at the EBA Triple Crown, which only one other EBA batter has ever done, way back in 2004 (Jean-Marc Fraysse). And he plays elite level defense in CF. He is the definition of a 5-tool player.

Compared to the EBA competition, he is far and away leading most categories. AVG, OBP, SLG, OPS, and WAR, which he has almost doubled up on 2nd place with a 7.4 number, and even triples. He's on pace for 12.3 WAR, which would beat the previous record of 10.5. That was also set by the former Triple Crown Winner.

He is far and away, the MVP right now. Best player on the best team in the EBA. All Paris can do is watch the greatness of the 21 year old and be in awe. And appreciate what they have. Because it won't be for much longer. His Rule VI clock is ticking. After this season, he will be half way through his service time. No doubt, he will be drafted by a MBBA team.

So the GM will do is put the best team around him while we do have him. And let greatness lead us.

*Side Note*
I am very curious of the leagues history, like the best EBA players taken in the Rule VI and how they faired. If anyone knows of articles here I can check out, please send me the links. I look through the forums here and there when I have time to try and find some old stuff. But I'd like to see players comparable to Lacaze. Also, interested in doing a potential article down the road on the best MBBA players that were Rule VI picks. Not sure if has been done, but any help on research would be appreciated.

All the drafts are in the draft subforum. For the past few seasons at least, Tyler has written an article about the best players available... Should be in the features forum. I'll put links here in a bit when I'm at my computer.

By the way, great article, as was your first.


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4.5 tool player in my opinion...

bschr682 wrote:4.5 tool player in my opinion...

'cause he can't hit lefties?


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2028 Rule VI Draft. It was a light year.

Previews:

2025
2026
2027

You'll definitely want to check out the 2024-2025 draft and get to know Alfredo 'Savage' Salazar, currently with Madison.

Lane wrote:

bschr682 wrote:4.5 tool player in my opinion...

'cause he can't hit lefties?


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I hadn't really thought of that. I just meant in general his contact ability isn't stellar. Its good and sure he will put up gawdy numbers in the EBA but over in the big leagues it'll be a different story. Still, he will be a valuable player and he will 100% for sure get poached as soon as he is eligible.

bschr682 wrote:

Lane wrote:

bschr682 wrote:4.5 tool player in my opinion...

'cause he can't hit lefties?


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I hadn't really thought of that. I just meant in general his contact ability isn't stellar. Its good and sure he will put up gawdy numbers in the EBA but over in the big leagues it'll be a different story. Still, he will be a valuable player and he will 100% for sure get poached as soon as he is eligible.

Yeah, absolutely agree.


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bschr682 wrote:4.5 tool player in my opinion...

Yeah, I guess that's what he would be in the big leagues, maybe a 4 tool. I see that. But right now in the EBA, he is a 5 tool.

bschr682 wrote:I hadn't really thought of that. I just meant in general his contact ability isn't stellar. Its good and sure he will put up gawdy numbers in the EBA but over in the big leagues it'll be a different story. Still, he will be a valuable player and he will 100% for sure get poached as soon as he is eligible.

What kind of slash does a player with his actual ratings would you expect in the MBBA? Is something like .270/.340/.450 reasonable? Is that too high, too low? Not used to playing 1-10 ratings and with actuals.

I quoted Brett, but that's a question for both of you.

Looking at Salazer's MBBA, who was a great EBA player, the slash I predicted probably isn't too far off. AVG probably not as high as I'd think but probably 50-100 points lower OPS wise. My guess anyway.

I'm not a slash line guesser so I'll refrain from that.

My concern with Lacaze would be ratings regression after coming stateside. We've seen a few guys recently with 5/6 CON actually lump after coming to the MBBA. with his defensive skills and EBA stat line, he'll obviously be drafted and will likely be a contributor on an MBBA team, but most likely not a star.


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bcslouck wrote:

bschr682 wrote:I hadn't really thought of that. I just meant in general his contact ability isn't stellar. Its good and sure he will put up gawdy numbers in the EBA but over in the big leagues it'll be a different story. Still, he will be a valuable player and he will 100% for sure get poached as soon as he is eligible.

What kind of slash does a player with his actual ratings would you expect in the MBBA? Is something like .270/.340/.450 reasonable? Is that too high, too low? Not used to playing 1-10 ratings and with actuals.

I quoted Brett, but that's a question for both of you.

I tend to not guess at slashes either and it would depend on if you platooned him or not. If not in a platoon id imagine his numbers would suffer quite a bit.

Does a players scouting report change once they jump to the MBBA? For example, now it says he's a star but is that taking into account he's in the EBA? Will it change to saying "he could be a regular contributor" or "solid player" instead of becoming a star once he makes the jump?

I can't say for sure, but I would assume so.


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Interesting.

Thanks for the feedback guys!

bcslouck wrote:Is Jean-Luc 'Wall' Lacaze having the greatest season in EBA history?

If he keeps his current pace up, he'll end with 11.4 WAR, which would be nearly 1 full point higher than the current single season leader set by Fraysee in '04 (10.53). So, its premature to say it is the greatest season in history, but certainly not premature to start following it like it might potentially be.

bcslouck wrote: *Side Note*
I am very curious of the leagues history, like the best EBA players taken in the Rule VI and how they faired. If anyone knows of articles here I can check out, please send me the links. I look through the forums here and there when I have time to try and find some old stuff. But I'd like to see players comparable to Lacaze. Also, interested in doing a potential article down the road on the best MBBA players that were Rule VI picks. Not sure if has been done, but any help on research would be appreciated.

Probably not exactly what you were hoping for, but the EBA does have a history page in the HTML reports here.

bcslouck wrote: What kind of slash does a player with his actual ratings would you expect in the MBBA? Is something like .270/.340/.450 reasonable? Is that too high, too low? Not used to playing 1-10 ratings and with actuals.

Lacaze looks like a .780-800 OPS guy to me which has your guess as the median. Couple that with an elite CF glove and SB ability (if that's your thing) and he might be one of the top 3 Rule 6 players ever taken.

bcslouck wrote:Looking at Salazer's MBBA, who was a great EBA player, the slash I predicted probably isn't too far off. AVG probably not as high as I'd think but probably 50-100 points lower OPS wise. My guess anyway.

Salazar is right-handed and this guy is left-handed with a +split. Apples and oranges.

Lane wrote:and will likely be a contributor on an MBBA team, but most likely not a star.

What? Name 5 CFers in the league better than him as a total package today.

bschr682 wrote:I tend to not guess at slashes either and it would depend on if you platooned him or not. If not in a platoon id imagine his numbers would suffer quite a bit.

What RHB CFers with an elite defensive glove, elite SB ability (if that is your thing) and 7 POW against LHBs are floating around there to platoon him with, though? If you see one let me know so I can upgrade Forrest. He looks like he could manage a .650-700ish OPS against LHBs to me, which coupled with his glove and legs would still be a 2+ WAR player even if all he saw was Southpaws all season long.

bcslouck wrote:Does a players scouting report change once they jump to the MBBA? For example, now it says he's a star but is that taking into account he's in the EBA? Will it change to saying "he could be a regular contributor" or "solid player" instead of becoming a star once he makes the jump?

Yes.

I'll search the MBBA CFs later, but this guy has a .713 OPS against EBA pitching this year. He's absolutely a platoon bat in the MBBA.


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Yeah, I know we still have a way to go. His numbers are off the charts though and I wanted to bring some attention to it. Without doing a ton of research, I'd say if he keeps it up for the next 2 years, I'd think he has a chance to be an All-Star. Maybe not perennial, but a couple. Again, it could be my ignorance of the rating system here showing and the competition difference of the MBBA and EBA. But I don't see a scenario where he isn't at least an above average regular.