Depends on how often that speed allows a player to get on base. If Trout gets on base more because he is faster out of the box, or more often is able to turn singles into doubles and doubles into triples, then I'd argue that is more important. Depends on if the difference isn't negligible, but it would be more of a question for Bill James.
Yeah that's true. But Trout would have to get on base more or stretch a hit as many times as Gose (for example) steals a base. I don't know. Either way, the three are all very fast.
Oh I totally agree that stealing bases is about reads more than speed, but I'd argue that that ability to read and steal a base is more important than getting out of the box a little bit faster.
It depends. You're going to have a higher OBP with ++ speed out of the box because you can leg out grounders and such a bit more. This will also give you more steal opportunities (and with that kind of speed you should be able to steal a lot of bases anyway.)
You can look at players' BABIP to see examples of this. Most really fast players have high BABIP (which inflates their average.)
I watched the Lakewood Blueclaws (low A) play the Greenville Drive last night. Here's some thoughts on the Blueclaws players,
Gauntlet Eldemire was the most impressive player for the blueclaws, this is his first pro season due to injuries but he showed nice hustle on the triple as I thought it looked more like it was going to be a stand up double. Ran the bases well, seems to have good speed and some pop in his bat.
Kyrell Hudson also looked good running the bases as he was aggressive when he stole 2nd and then 3rd which led to Logan Moore knocking him in with a flyout to left.
Kelly Dugan’s error at 1st was a tough one, it was a good throw but it just popped right out of his glove. He looks like he's bulked up some from last season but had a tough night at the plate with 3k's.
Starting pitcher Ervis Manzanillo got into some trouble after the error and seemed to be a little wild after that but got out of some jams.
Ryan Sasaki came in relief but also seemed to struggle with his comand as a few walks got him into some trouble.
Colby Shreve followed and was able to throw strikes, looked solid although he should since he's repeating low A at least for now.
Watched Lehigh Valley (AAA, Phils) vs Syracuse (Nats) got to see Bryce Harper in action, he had a tough night with 3 K's but did hit a triple when Dominic Brown went for a diving catch but came up a little short.
Was a fun game to watch as the Iron Pigs were up 6-2 but Syracuse battled back to get it within 1 before Joe Thurston went yard as a PH. For LV I expect Scott Podsednik to tear it up while he's in AAA, I know he can opt out in June but if he hits like he did in the spring should be good for the Pigs. Erik Kratz had a good night, wonder if he ends up in Philly at some point to replace Brian Schneider. Phillippe Aumont picked up the save, if he gets his control issues fixed he could be a very good closer one day.
Looking forward to watching Reading (AA) series starting tonight.
Edit:
Watched Reading Phillies (AA) last night (4/12), the Phils top rated prospect, pitcher Trevor May was dealing all night. His FB was consistently hitting 93 and he had good comand on night as he's had trouble with walks in the past. jiwan james also looked impressive, made a nice catch in RF that looked like it was going to be a homer, stroked a triple as well, nice to see him play well hope he can keep it up.
For the phils, they have a couple of the lesser hyped prospects getting off to good starts this year, should be interesting to see how things shake out if they will look to deal some of the youth for current help at the plate.
Here's some that are looking good so far,
Austin Wright- LHP (Clearwater, High A 8th round pick 2011) Wright is 3-0 with a 2.35 era and a whip of 1.13
Brian Pointer - OF (Lakewood, Low A 28th round pick 2010) Pointer has looked good in each of the games i've seen him, leads his team in HR, RBI's, triples. Hitting .307 with a sluggling % of .600
Tyler Cloyd - RHP (Reading, AA 18th round 2008) Cloyd gets overlooked as others like Trevor May, Jesse Biddle, Julio Rodriguez, Jonathan Pettibone and others get more attention but he off to a great start this year in his one AAA start and his time in AA. He's 3-0 with a 1.80 era and a whip of 1.0 in AA, was perfect in his only AAA start.
Hector Neris - RHP (Clearwater, High A Non-Draftee, signed 2010) Neris has been good out of the pen, has a 1.26 era with a whip of .7
Will Myers has been tearing it up in Texas League. 6 HRs in 83 ABs, last season he hit 8 in 350+. If he continues it wont be long before Royals call him up.
So glad the Cardinals have him and Shelby Miller coming up. That looks like a very good starter on top of Wainwright and Garcia and a top of the line outfielder.
With prospects like Carlos Martinez and Matt Adams and Kolten Wong I really like the Cardinals' future.
Bryce Harper
Jurickson Profar
Julio Teheran
Manny Machado
Dylan Bundy
Trevor Bauer
Gerrit Cole
Shelby Miller
Jameson Taillon
Taijuan Walker
10 guys (not in any order) I'd definitely take over Tavares right now. Then there's Will Myers, Tyler Skaggs and possibly couple more. Definitely top-20 though. Barring an injury Harper will graduate. Maybe Teheran at some point too.
Bryce Harper
Jurickson Profar
Julio Teheran
Manny Machado
Dylan Bundy
Trevor Bauer
Gerrit Cole
Shelby Miller
Jameson Taillon
Taijuan Walker
10 guys (not in any order) I'd definitely take over Tavares right now. Then there's Will Myers, Tyler Skaggs and possibly couple more. Definitely top-20 though. Barring an injury Harper will graduate. Maybe Teheran at some point too.
It's hard to argue with Tavares' numbers though. He's hit at least one more HR since the OP, setting a career record, and it's early. He's also only 19.
Toronto's Travis d'Arnaud, one of the top catching prospects in baseball, is 20-for-48 (.416) with 7 HR and 15 RBI's in his last ten games. Pretty good defensively to from what I've heard.
Toronto's Travis d'Arnaud, one of the top catching prospects in baseball, is 20-for-48 (.416) with 7 HR and 15 RBI's in his last ten games. Pretty good defensively to from what I've heard.
Keith Law had him #4 on his list released a week ago. I believe he had Profar and Bundy before D'Arnaud. Cant remember the other prospect. Dont quote me on this.
Keith Law had him #4 on his list released a week ago. I believe he had Profar and Bundy before D'Arnaud. Cant remember the other prospect. Dont quote me on this.
Yup you're right he did. Machado was the other one ahead of D'arnaud. I think Travis at #4 is a bit of a stretch but I do like him a lot.
Didn't see it mentioned here, but Rays prospect Tim Beckham is in the midst of a 50-game suspension for his second violation of the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. Looks like Tim puffed when he should have passed! Given Tampa's past experiences with prospects with off-field issues (particularly Delmon Young and Elijah Dukes during their Bad Boy Bulls days) I wonder if this might cause Tampa to cut bait with Beckham, especially since Beckham was no offensive wiz - batting .204/.290/.278 with only 4 RBIs, 3 extra base hits (no HRs), 13 strike outs in 54 ABs with Durham.
I'll be honest I'm not a fan of the guy and wouldn't mind seeing Tampa pick up whatever they could for him at this point.
<-- Credit goes to The Nemesis.
