MLB Showdown Cards

MLB Showdown 2013: Shortstop

               This position just cannot produce superstars at any level. Maybe the game is different than it used to be. Power is down, on-base is down. I am hoping next year we will see kids like Simmons and Profar take steps forward. Maybe a guy like Desmond to go 30/30 and Reyes to get back to being both fast and on base. No disrespect toward Troy Tulowitzki but like Cano as someone we rely on every year he had a down year on his own standard. This your Tulo has 25 homers and 27 doubles. Last year he was hurt (but productive and prorated) and 2011 he had 30/36 and 2010 he had 27/32 and 2009 he had 32/25 (plus 9 triples). It is unfair to expect him to be A-rod from the late 90’s early 2000’s…but it would be nice. Hanley Ramirez did have a great bounce back year as a prorated monster. By the way JJ Hardy had 25 homers to tie for the position lead.

               Power players often use this as a time to punt and sure up a defense. That is not the worst idea this year. Tulowitzki is not a great fit here but some people may try and for him as a 5 hitter. He is 10, speed B(15) 19-20 HR, 17-18 2B with SS+4 for 460 points. Troy probably will go in the second or third round while power players are picking other players. Hanley Ramirez is going to be a late first round pick by someone other than a power player. He is a 9, speed A(21), 18-20 HR, 15-17 2B, 14 1B+ for 540 points with SS+2. The best power pick for power players is a late round pick with JJ Hardy. He is 6, 17-20 HR, 14-16 2B with SS+5 for 220 points. He defends well so that makes it an easier pill to swallow. Few players are dedicated enough to power to play him.

               Pingers do not have a pure pinger player in this class. They do have Johnny Peralta as a 9, speed C(12) 20 HR, 17-19 2B with SS+4 for 240 points. I think players will overlook the speed C in a weak class. There is also the chance to see Stepehen Drew as an 8, speed B(16) 20 HR, 17-19 3B, 14-16 2B with SS+5 for 260 points. The question is what is more valued? The 9 on-base or the speed B? Should be interesting to see how it works out. Moneyballers are going to value Perlata higher. They may also love to see a Yunel Escobar as an 8 speed C(12), 20 HR, 18-19 2B with SS+5 for 160 points. Maybe you see some Tulo picks if he is falling.

               Smallballers are going to enjoy a few options. Hanley Ramirez could be a late first round pick if they like him. There are later options with Evereth Cabrera as a 320 point 9, speed A (22), 20 3B, 18-19 2B, 15-1 1B+ with SS+4. Jose Reyes is a worse pick as a 350 point, 9 speed A(21), 20 HR, 18-19 2B, 17 1B+ with SS+4. A late in the draft late in the order player is Jean Segura as a 7, speed A(23) with 20 HR, 17-19 3B, 14-16 2B, 11-13 1B+ for 220 points with SS+3. Ian Desmond is a 5-6 in the order player that would be odd but possible. He is an 8 speed A(20) with 19-20 HR, 18 3B, 15-17 2B, 14 1B+ for 310 points. Elvis Andrus is a stretch and maybe more of a super sub type player with a 7 speed A(23) with 20 3B, 19 2B, 16-18 1B+ for 130 with SS+3.

               There are 12 players who are under 100 points in this group. Alexi Ramirez is 10 points for a speed A(21) with SS+0 and no homer but 6 on-base. Jimmy Rollins is a 6 speed A(20) with SS+4. Alcides Escobar is a solid pinch runner with speed A(22). He is a 60 point player with only 5 on base. A lot of productive speed/fielding with some on-base here. Obviously no power for cheap.