41.3 Checking the Locks: Second Base

[crobillard]

This is a series where I will evaluate the options in each position leading into Spring Training. This is the third of eleven parts. I will be taking a look into the second base position in this post.

Sure fire locks: Jharod Thealer, Yi-ke Hsaio
Near lock: Hakim Ngowa

Thealer was acquired last season in the same deal that brought in Raider. He did not disappoint despite having to split some time with Hsaio. He hit .274/.402/.386 with 29 XBHs and 76 walks. The year prior with Madison he walked 121 times, so maybe with full season of work Thealer can get up there, but if Hsaio hits the way he did last season I think it will be difficult not to want to work him into the lineup. I talked about Hsaio more in the first base post, but I'll talk about the comparison defensively at second a bit here. If Thealer or Hsaio excelled defensively at second the decision on who to start would be easy, but Thealer in his first full season not playing shortstop since 2035 had a -0.2 ZR and six errors for a .988 defensive efficiency. On the other hand, Hsaio performed only slightly better with a +1.4 ZR with two errors for a .993 defensive efficiency. For a full season comparison on Hsaio though you have to look to his 2038 season where he played 154 games at the position. That year he had a -2.3 ZR with 12 errors for a .983 defensive efficiency. Ultimately, I think Thealer has more value for the team by getting on base more, but if I felt like the team was struggling in different areas I would be happy to start Hsaio.

The end of last season was a tough one with all of the injuries especially in the infield. O'Brien and Thealer went down leaving Hsaio and Tim Ray to start. Ray is not great fielding at short and it left the team with a huge hole. He started 24 games last season, committed 5 errors for a .961 defensive efficiency and had a -1.8 ZR. Edmonton's solution this offseason was picking up Ngowa. The 25 year old middle infielder is a reliable fielder with a decent enough bat to get by. He should always be a backup and only starting in emergencies, but he's a certain upgrade over Ray and a welcome addition to Edmonton's club. The Jackrabbits have an even better option on the horizon though. I'll talk about them in the SS portion of this series.

[jleddy]

Ngowa lives!!

[crobillard]

Ngowa lives!!

My favorite carpet. I like the dude a lot. He'll be a very solid backup for me, but most important to me is that he's inexpensive, young and durable. I'll have him for a long time.

[shoeless.db]

Its nice to see the throw rug getting some love. I think California is turning into a place where second basemen go to wither at the plate.

[jleddy]

Its nice to see the throw rug getting some love. I think California is turning into a place where second basemen go to wither at the plate.

#PrayForPris