MLB Showdown Cards

MLB Showdown 2014: Centerfield

                Please enjoy Mike Trout now. We havn’t seen anyone like this in a long time. Maybe Ken Griffey Jr?  Barry Bonds? Such an amazing athlete who can do everything you would want a player to do at such a young age. With 36 homers, 9 triples and 39 doubles the kid is just flat out amazing. Add in great defense and base running. The shame is Andrew McCutchen is amazing in his own right with a .410 OBP, 25 homers, 6 triples, 34 doubles. Also Adam Jones has found some power with 29 homers while swinging at absolutely every pitch he sees.

                Power players have the problems of there being very few slow centerfielders. McCutchen can be a 3 hitter but is not ideal. Trout is more tempting but still not perfect. Power hitters likely don’t want to pick 1-2 so they aren’t too tempted. I really like Matt Kemp as a 8 OB with 18-20 HR, 17 3B, 13-16 2B, 12 1B+ with speed A(19) and OF+1 for 410 points. Also you can get him much later than McCutchen/Trout. He can bat second and be picked up late. Curtis Granderson is an option if you have extra points for a later in the order player as a 7 OB, 18-20 HR, 15-17 2B with A(20) and OF+1 for 310 points. The most fun option but needs to bat sixth or later is Adam Jones as a 6 OB, 15-20 HR, 12-14 2B With speed A(21) and CF+3-2 for 240 points.

                I found him! I found him! The perfect Pinger player! Alex Gordon as a 9 OB, 20 HR, 17-19 2B with speed B(16) and OF+2 for 250 points. An unlikely spot to find the perfect Pinger but here he is. After that Maybe giving Collin Cowgil and look here as an 8 OB, 20 HR, 18-19 2B with speed A(19) and OF+1 for 210 points for a late in the order player to make up points. Moneyballers also have a perfect pick with Jon Jay as a 10 OB, 20 3B with speed B(14) for 280 points is a great deal for cheap. Other than them most of these teams are looking for a lead-off hitter out of centerfield.

                Speed players rejoice that Centerfield is super deep. Andrew McCutchen offers an 11 OB, 19-20 HR, 18 3B, 16-17 2B, 15 1B+ with speed A(21) and CF+2-1 for 630 points. Mike Trout is a 10 OB, 18-20 HR, 16-17 3B, 13-15 2B, 12 1B+ with speed A(22) and CF+3-2 for 640 points. I think most teams will take Trout first over McCutchen but if ether is available make sure you take them. Yasiel Puig is productive but awkward as a 10 OB, 20 HR, 18-19 3B, 15-17 2B with speed A(19) and LF/RF+2 for 470 points. Fine on points but just kind of a man without a position in a batting order. My guess is he is better as a 3 hitter in front of 2 other 10’s on a Moneyball team.

                There are so many great pinch runners it isn’t funny. Billy Hamilton is the best as a 5 with speed A(23) for 50 points.