MLB Showdown Cards

MLB Showdown 2013: Corner OF 10-290 Points

                Corner outfield as we have mentioned before is a position where you need to find your teams identity. It has the largest variety of players and is stocked with talent. It even offers players the ability to borrow from another position (centerfield) without punishment. The lower point totals are going to be for lower in the order players for most play styles.

                Power Hitters will always love corner outfield for its efficient hitters. In years past we had more slow corner outfielders, which kept cost down. Some Power Players may like Lucas Duda here for 280 points as an 8, speed C(12) 18-20 HR, 16-17 2B. He will play very unexcitingly as a 5 hitter and is a nice 6 hitter. The player I really love and know that all other players will avoid like the plague is Alfonso Soriano. This 7, 15-20 HR, 12-14 2B with speed C(12) and LF/RF+0 for 270 points screams “take me in the 15^th round on a flexible line-up team”. No one wants him and He can bat 6 against 5-6s and even see action as a clean-up hitter against 0-1s. I am telling you people will pay 10 more points for Duda who who would have a lot more fun with Soriano. Raul Ibanez as a 6, 15-20 HR, 13-14 2B as a speed C(9) LF/RF+0 for 210 points is another player no one will take. I don’t imagine too many Davis (560) /Longoria(350) /Soriano(270) /Ibanez (210) line-up. But for 1,390 points you have a lot of pieces for a fun line-up. Likely going to want a cheap 10 somewhere in there.

                Pingers finally can read this article. What Matt Holliday is to the +300 point article every year, Andre Ethier is to the 10-290 article. Sometimes he qualifies for centerfield but he is also like clockwork. For 250 points you get exactly what you want, a 9, speed B(15), LF/RF+2, 20 HR, 17-19 2B small out 1-3. Perfect player just find a partner and keep going. Stanton as a 3/4/5 hitter may not be too painful here as a 9, 19-20 HR, 17-18 2B, speed B(14) LF/RF+1 for 310 points. With no sub 250 point 9’s you may see a drop into the 8’s here. Torii Hunter is a great option as an 8, speed B(14), 19-20 HR, 18 3B, 15-17 2B with LF/RF+2 for 250 points. Losing an on-base but great chart. Josh Willingham is a 170 point speed B(13) with 20 HR that may be a nice end of the order hitter. Moneyballers are going to fight for a lot of the same players here.

                Small Ballers are going to like but not love this class. Aoki as a 9, speed A(21) with 20 3B, 18-19 2B, 16-17 1B+ for 290 points is not the bargain you are looking for. Compound that with many players looking at him as a lead-off hitter makes him competitive for someone who is less than a terror. Starling Marte brings a more aggressive speed A(22) as an 8, 20 HR, 17-19 3B, 15- 16 2B, 13-14 1B+ and singles at 7 for 240 points. I like him batting 5 in a Small Ball line-up because he will drive in and score runs more than his 240 points would lead you to believe. Desmond Jennings has a weaker chart with the same speed and OB for 200 points. The pair would be creature and not sought after as lead-off hitters by other players.

                Off the bench Rajai Davis offers a 6 OB with A(22) speed for 8 points with the discount. That is as good as a free steal as you will get off the bench. He also isn’t the worst body for a pinch hit when you need anything but a GIDP. Juan Pierre is a 5 with A(20) speed for 6 points with the discount. Melky Cabrera is a 7 OB pinch hitter for 6 points with the discount.