MLB Showdown Cards

MLB Showdown 2015: Shortstops

                Shortstop is becoming an interesting position in the majors now. Of course the days of the big three of A-rod, Jeter and Garciaparra (not to mention Tejada and Larkin among others) are over. Elvis Andrus and Adrelton Simmons have not been able to take the major step forward I was hoping they would. Andrus with a .314 OBP and Simmons with a .286 OBP. Don’t Get me wrong Simmons is unreal defensively. The guy who did take the step forward is Ian Desmond with his 24 homers leading all shortstops. The average and OBP hopefully will come. The throw back to the big 3 is Troy Tulowitzki with his 21 homers in 315 at-bats. Also Hanley Ramirez has been surprisingly a consistent player with his 13 homers, 35 doubles and .369 OBP.

                Power players really only have 2 options here. Troy Tulowitzki has a 9 OB, 18-20 HR, 16-17 2B with speed B(15) with SS+5 for 470 points. The problem is he has to be a first round pick. Too many people will want his +5 on a good OB. The much more likely and I think better option for power players is Jhonny Peralta with is 8 OB, 18-20 HR, 14-17 2B with C(11) speed and SS+3 for 280 points. No one else wants this card so he can go later than most. If you don’t want to punt and want an average bat Ian Desmond may work as a 6 OB, 18-20 HR, 17 3B, 14-16 2B with speed A(20) with SS+0 for 190 points. Trust me no one but power players want him.

                Pingers have no perfect player here. The Marco Scutaro card as a 9, speed B with 20 homer for 250ish points isn’t here. Utility has a few better options and that is likely where Pingers will look. My guess is that they may try and steal Tulowitzki here with their pick. He fits fine as the 3 hitter there. Moneyballers may try and get HanRam but not be thrilled with it. Also looking to Utility for some love here. The real pick they will enjoy is Ruben Tejada as an 8 OB, 19-20 2B with speed B(14) with SS+4 for 200 points. He is not going to be available in free agency at the end of many drafts.

                Speed players are going to have a trap with Hanley Ramirez as a 10 OB, 20 HR, 17-20 2B, 16 1B+, 10-15 1B with SS+2 and speed A(20) for 440 points. I don’t know where this guy bats. 440 for a lead-off man? Maybe he can hit 2 and get some RBIs with his biggish walk? Bat 3 and hope the 4 guy has no walks? He is good but I am not sure he is as good as they think. I really like Starlin Castro as a later in the order player as an 8 OB, 19-20 HR, 16-18 2B, 7-15 1B with speed A(19) with SS+3 for 300 points. He can get runs and RBI at the bottom of the order. Of course Jose Reyes with his 8 OB,  20 HR, 19 3B, 16-18 2B, 14-15 1B+ with speed A(22) and SS+1 for 240 points. Lots of options here with Rollins as a super fall back.

                The punt options are Andrelton Simmons as a starter with 5 OB, 20 3B, 18-19 2B with SS+2 … I am just kidding it is SS+5 and speed A(19) for 90 points. Zach Cozart is another punt as a 5 OB, 19-20 3B, 17-18 2B with SS+4 and speed A(20) for 80 points. My guess is the extra fielding is worth the point. Ed Lucas has 5 OB, SS+4 for 30 points. People will play that at least off the bench. I like Adeiny Hechavaria as a 16 point 6 OB pinch hitter.

Player Colby would add (3 of 10): Alex Rodriguez 2000. This is not a list of what I think are the 10 best cards from 2000/2001. That should be obvious with the Criag Biggio 2001 pick. This is a list of 10 players I would add to a 2014 draft to make for a more fun draft environment. What Alex Rodriguez does well is hit for power, field and run. What he doesn’t do is get on-base at an high clip. His 8 OB is not what a lot of Pingers and Moneyballers want. His 15-20 HR is exactly what a lot of power players want and his A(20) speed is exactly what Speed players want. His SS+5 is something that will make both those parties happy to eat his 510 point price tag. The players that were interested in Starling Castro will be more happy with A-rod.