MLB Showdown Cards

MLB Showdown 2012: Center Fielders +400 Points 

                Last year The top notch center fielders were through the roof. There were some great years. First with Mike Trout, who came on like gang busters this year. Arguably an MVP type season with his almost 30/50 season (if only he had been caught stealing only 4 times). He absolutely dwarfed a great season by Bryce Harper. Andrew McCutchen seemed to carry the Pirates. When he faded they faded. Hamilton hit 43 homers while being somewhat banged up. Granted he would have hit 39 had he taken on day off early in the year. Kemp wanted to go 50/50 which he fell a hair short of going 23/9. Obviously injuries had a lot to do with that. The power speed combos are not exactly what they were last year but still a solid class.

                Josh Hamilton is by far the best power player in the centerfield class. He is the only great power player. There are no good power players in the class (besides Curtis Granderson as a 6). Hamilton as a 9, 16-20 HR, 14-15 2B, 10-13 1B, 7-9 BB for 550 points is a great player who can bat in the 4 hole. I wouldn’t put him 3 because he gets out too much and 10 for a single is a bit high for him. He could easily be paired with a player like Cabrera to make a fierce lineup. Kemp is too much for not enough power for traditional power player. Kemp can bat third in cheaper lineups. For 500 points you get a 9, 18-20 HR, 16-17 2B, speed A (20). He just robs power from the line up

                Pingers are not the type to spend more than 400 points on a player. There is a chance players who want to ping with some speed may put Cepedes as a 9, 19-20 HR, 18 3B, 16-17 2B, 15 1B speed B (17) with a 1-2 out is a solid 3 option. Late in a draft if they want a bit of a production player here. Money Ballers won’t find anyone here except maybe Cepedes here that they love. The lower tier has a lot more players.

                Small ball players always seem to have options with this position. The question is how many players at this point total are you willing to pay for and where will they bat. Dexter Fowler as a 470 point, speed A(21), 20 HR, 18-19 3B, 17 2B, 16 1B+ is probably more of a 2 hitter than leadoff hitter at the cost. Mike Trout is a monster 2 hitter. Very similar to Ellsbury last year in that he can bat 3 but will he drive in enough? The A(23) speed as 10 is tempting enough but the 19-20 HR, 17-18 3B, 15-16 2B, 12-14 1B+, 3-8 BB is not the run producer that McCutchen is but a better run scorer. Andrew McCutchen is the best 3 hitter in the league at 590 points as a 10, A(21), 19-20 HR, 18 3B, 15-17 2B, 13-14 1B+, 6-12 1B. He will without a doubt to me in a good Small ball lineup lead the league in runs produced (RBI+Runs-HR=runs produced). Maybe a little love for Adam Jones as a 5 hitter here.