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: Hakim Ngowa, Yi-ke Hsaio
Near lock: Pepe Espinosa
The product of fan favorite Bobby Lynch's departure finally seems just about ready to make his Edmonton debut. There is a lot of excitement around rookies in Edmonton after Pedro Huerta's fantastic debut season last year. Everyone is excited to see what they got in return for their beloved franchise ace. Espinosa seems like the completed package too. 7/8/7/4/7 and he can bump that gap power to 9. His splits are almost identical, so there's no issue there. On top of that he's rated an 11 at second and a 10 at short.
Last year we had Jharod Thealer and Joey O'Brien manning the middle of the infield, but the mid season trade that spelled their departure for the #1 overall pick Amos Swallows seemed like a shift in direction for the Jackrabbits team who all season seemed to struggle to stay above water. They were constantly threatened to even make the playoffs. It seems like there will be shift this season though. Ngowa looks like he could handle some games at second too with a OBP at .388 last season that totaled a 1.0 WAR in only 186 at bats. We talked about Hsaio in the prior series installment for first base, but he could see time here as well.
I think the most likely candidate is likely Espinosa unless something strange happens. There is another rookie who looks ready that might get that start at third base this season. Could Steven Collins III get pushed over to second base? He certainly wouldn't be as instinctual as a fielder there, but we have flirted with that possibility before, mostly so he could have the flexibility if we needed it. Is this the time where we tap into that. I'm sliding Collins over to start ST at second, but I don't love the idea of keeping him there for an entire season.
42.6 Checking the Locks: Second Base
Moderator: Chuck V
-
- Ex-GM
- Posts: 2936
- Joined: Wed Mar 05, 2014 7:38 am
- Has thanked: 297 times
- Been thanked: 240 times
-
- Ex-GM
- Posts: 3216
- Joined: Mon May 27, 2019 5:46 pm
- Location: Long Beach, CA
- Has thanked: 3377 times
- Been thanked: 1174 times
Re: 42.6 Checking the Locks: Second Base
You could always convert Ngowa from a throw rug into a welcome mat for Espinosa.
"My $#!? doesn't work in the playoffs." - Billy Beane Joe Lederer
-
- Ex-GM
- Posts: 2936
- Joined: Wed Mar 05, 2014 7:38 am
- Has thanked: 297 times
- Been thanked: 240 times
Re: 42.6 Checking the Locks: Second Base
lol in the Landis we all watched Ngowa evolve from throw rug to red carpet and now Espinosa is walking down it. Thealer left and we rolled out the red carpet for Pepe.
- recte44
- GB: Commissioner
- Posts: 43211
- Joined: Tue Mar 30, 2010 12:14 pm
- Location: Oconomowoc, WI
- Has thanked: 143 times
- Been thanked: 1649 times
- Contact:
Re: 42.6 Checking the Locks: Second Base
With all the offense you have I could see Collins at second and your newest stud at third.
Matt Rectenwald
BBA Commissioner, GM, Las Vegas Hustlers
Milwaukee Choppers (AAA) | Reno Aces (AA) | Pahrump Ranchers (A) | Kingston Legends (SA) | Roswell Aliens (R)
BBA Commissioner, GM, Las Vegas Hustlers
Milwaukee Choppers (AAA) | Reno Aces (AA) | Pahrump Ranchers (A) | Kingston Legends (SA) | Roswell Aliens (R)
-
- Ex-GM
- Posts: 2936
- Joined: Wed Mar 05, 2014 7:38 am
- Has thanked: 297 times
- Been thanked: 240 times
Re: 42.6 Checking the Locks: Second Base
Yeah, that's the way I'm leaning. Espinosa at short and Menzies in center. I'm just infatuated by an Espinosa/Menzies middle infield and I continue to battle myself over how I can make that happen.
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 4 guests