MLB Showdown Cards

MLB Showdown 2013: Centerfield 10-290 Points

                Centerfield has been a speedy position for years now. With players like Ellsbury, Victorino, Gardner, Gentry, Bourjous and Span running around it is always exciting to find out who will get on base enough to be productive. Also it is exciting to see who will hit enough homers to separate themselves from the pack. Most of these guys at the lower point level came up a point shy of elite.

                Power hitters need late in the order players and sub-300 points is and interesting limitation. Adam Jones at 250 points is an interesting pick. He is a 6, 16-20 HR, 11-14 2B, CF+3, LF/RF+2 speed A(20) for 250 points. I have seen Trout going to “Power” teams often. I think it is a bad fit. Use that pick on a Cabrera/Davis and get the not sought after Jones. He can bat 7-8 and run himself away from double-plays. Wil Venable as a 6, 17-20 HR, 15-16 3B, 12-13 2B speed A(20) OF+1, speed A(20) for 240 points is a noticeable step down because of defense.

                Pingers love this point range. Sadly there is no ideal pinger-player at this level. Ellsbury is the cheapest 9 at 290 points. He is much more sought after by speed teams and teams looking for a lead-off hitter. Jason Heyward is an 8, speed B(16) 19-20 HR, 17-18 2B, OF+1  for 270 points. They don’t like that price or the card ideally. Moneyballers also are finding centerfield to be an odd position. Too many speed A players. Again Ellsbury is very competitive.

                And the Smallballers rejoice. They get the pick of the litter. Ellsbury as a 9, speed A(23) for 18-20 3B, 15-17 2B, 12-14 1B+ for 290 points. He may be the most competitive player besides Trout. Brett Gardner is an 8, 20 HR, 18-19 3B, 15-17 2B, 14 1B+ as a speed A(22) for 240 points. Gentry costs the same for more defense with a worse chart. Chart is usually more important. Blanco (21), Revere (21) are both 8’s with over +20 speed.

                Robbie Grossman is a 18 points 8 pinch hitter with 18-20 2B and speed B(14). Derrick Robinson and Shane Robinson 16 and 10 point 7 OB pinch hitters respectively. Both are speed B and don’t homer. Michael Bourn and Eric Young Jr are 8 point speed A(22) as a 6 OBs. Clete Thomas and Endy Chavez are both 2 point players with a discount.