MLB Showdown Cards

Time Machine: Second Basemen

Chase Utley 2009: The Phillies back to back World Series appearances had a lot of key players. None were more important than Chase Utley. Ultey had 31 homers, 4 triples and 28 doubles for the Phillies in 2009. They would lose the 2009 World Series to the Yankees. Add that to 3 straight years of league leading HBP to help the OBP. Utley earned himself a 10, speed A(20), 18-20 HR, 16-17 2B, 15 1B with 1-5 out. For 600 points the biggest insult against this card is a +3 fielding. He is hands down the best offensive weapon to play second base in MLB Showdown. 

Luis Castillo 2001: Luis has a great combination of skills for Showdown. He has speed and serviceable defense. The ability to get on base with almost no power at a position that has minimal offensive potential in Showdown has made all his cards coveted. He has been a desirable lead-off hitter in almost every set. The 2001 set offers the best of his best. In 2000 he sported a .334 average with 62 stolen bases and a pair of homers on the year. Amazingly he had 78 walks with 22 extra base hits. He earned a 10, speed A, switch hitting, 18-20 1B+… who cares after that. It is 340 points for a +2 fielding lead of hitter. 

Brian Roberts 2009: Roberts has had a quietly productive career for the Orioles. Three times he has sported a 50+ double season. 2009 was one of those years with 56. Two other players in Showdown seasons have hit that many (Helton 01, Delgado 01). 16 homers and a triple later he earned one fantastic card. His 8, speed A(19), 19-20 HR, 12-18 2B, 11 1B+ for 380 points with +3 fielding. This is one of the most exciting cards for the cost you can get at second base. The next few years would slow Roberts down with injuries. 

Jeff Frye 2001: This is a stellar card hidden behind a very average name and a chart with no homer. Jeff Frye was a serviceable player and 2000 he split time between Red Sox and Rockies. His +.400 OBP with the Rockies allowed him to earn a 9 on base. A 20 2B, 8-19 1B, 1-3 out is actually a great card because… he only costs 190 points. I am not sure I have ever played with a card that gets more RBI for less than 200 points. Pair him with 01 Rickey Henderson and you have a more than serviceable 1-2 in the order for less than 400 points. Not bad for a guy with 16 career homers. 

Pokey Reese 2000: I know there is a bias toward thinking players are better defensively when they are good offensive players. The best defensive second basemen I have ever seen (and shortstop when he played) was Pokey Reese. Pure range seemed to be other worldly. That pancake of a glove he used was seriously a vacuum. The problem was he couldn’t hit a lick. In 1999 and 200 0 he would win the Gold Glove. He would hit 10 homers, 5 triples and 37 doubles. That was his best offensive year. He would get a 7 speed A, 20 HR, 19 3B, 16-18 2B, 13-15 1B+ with +5 fielding. At 240 points he is not worth the points at all but worth the mention.