MLB Showdown Cards

MLB Showdown 2011: Centerfield

            Wow, Let me just start with wow. A 40/39 season from Kemp which could arguably been an MVP season. Nice to see him put together a season worthy of his 5 tool talent. Jacoby Ellsbury had a 33/39 season with an unexpected power surge. He gambled often on big swings and won big. Curtis Granderson also gambled often and also won often. 41/25 season. Curtis played a game we like to call “First base is hot lava”. He seemed to only touch it while heading to second. Andrew McCutchen punched, kicked and clawed to keep the Pirates in the hunt. The Flying Hawiian, Shane Victorino also seemed to live in scoring position. Thank goodness Adam Jones and BJ Upton both had off years because I am not sure any none first base position could handle that much awesomeness in one year. By the way Josh Hamilton played center field also this year.

            Power players I have good news and bad news. The good news is 2 of the few good power hitters in this years class are center fielders. Bad news is that they are both well more then 600 points. If this scares you then go get out of the deep end. Some one will pay Kemp or Granderson. They will get a good player and they will score runs. These are players that should be taken in the first round. They may survive past then but why risk it. Andruw Jones is a nice cheaper option in larger leagues or if you are a wuss and the powerhouse boat sailed without you. He is a 8, 18-20 homer, speed C, +3 fielder who only has 1 double. He is a 10-15 round player. He is a nice deal for discount power. Josh Hamilton is power but he is other things also so he will go earlier to someone else.

            Pingers I am sorry to break the news but there are no speed B players 9 or higher. The question is this. Do you pay for the on-base and the speed and find a lead off hitter. There are options in Fowler, Bourn and Morgan. Bourn is the best and maybe a 4-6 round pick. Morgan can play but can not field. Fowler costs more to hit a little better. Fowler and Morgan are 8-12 round players. Jon Jay and Reed Johnson are not bad players for the 6 or 7 range. They are 15-20 round players. Money Ballers have no money options. No cheap on base. Look at the lead off hitters. Look at Jay and Johnson. Look at the utility players. Look to change strategies. That is not true this may be the best single year for Money Ball Players, just not in center field.

            Small ballers have an abundance of options. They have much more value for Ellsbury then anyone else. He is a first round player to bat fourth who can be picked up in the third round or later. Kemp and Granderson are of course good picks. Bourn is a great pick if you like him. Gardner is an average pick at the end of the draft for people who like +20 speed. Victorino is a really interesting 2 option with his freak chart. He is a 12-16 round option. A discount 4 hitter may be Josh Hamilton. He is 370 for an 8, 8 or higher single, 18-20 homer. Very useful but likely a 15-20 player.

            Franklin Gutierrez is the class of this bench player class. If some super cheap skate does not punt and take him as his 8 hitter then someone needs this guy on the bench. He is a 2 point discounted 5 with 23 speed and +3 fielding. Tony Campana is a 4 point 23 speed 6 on base. Craig Gentry is a useful 24 point discounted 7, speed 22 who can do some nice things. 20 point discounted 8 on base player who can end up on the bench.