Play Heyward in CF?
by bbxxj on Jul 15, 2010 1:46 PM EDT
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PrintAs I, like many of you, think about what kind of players the Braves could acquire to improve our offense I have made a fairly obvious observation that I'm sure many are aware of. One of the points most often brought up is how CF is the position we could improve the most offensively but looking over the available impact outfield bats (you know who they are - Bautista, Hart, Willingham etc - so we don't need to rosterbate here) you see that they play the corner spots which in my opinion do not need upgrades. Diaz and Hinske will do a solid job in LF while providing a fresh and well tuned bench bat from whoever doesn't get the start that day and Heyward is obviously not going to lose playing time if he is healthy. Perhaps playing Heyward in center would solve his mismatch of need for a centerfielder and only corner outfielders being available. I'm not sure it is a very good idea so I wanted to throw out my thoughts on the subject:
- Can Heyward play center? I think the answer for this year and maybe next is yes he can play center. Most of the scouting reports I have read have said nearly the same thing - he has an excellent arm and gets excellent breaks off of balls but his speed/range makes him a fantastic right fielder but a marginal centerfielder you don't likely want there long term. For this year while he is still not all the way filled out and still quite fast I think he could play center at at least an average/slightly below average level.
- Should Heyward play center? I have a couple concerns about moving Heyward to center. Would it hurt his development as a right fielder where his long term home is? Would he be more vulnerable to injury as a centerfielder?
- Would it be worth it? I'm also not sure if it would be worth such a drastic change to our prized young star to replace a guy that maybe shouldn't be giving up on so early in McLouth and expend valuable prospects to do so. Having say the AL walks and home run leader in Bautista in our lineup everyday would be attractive but would it be worth the cost and trouble?
So I humbly ask you TCers, would it be wise to play Heyward in CF for the remainder of this year in order to improve our offense?
This FanPost does not express the views or opinions of Talking Chop.
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I've actually thought about this too
There’s no chance that it happens, but it doesn’t mean that it’s a bad idea. It’s an insanely small sample size but he has a 16.1 UZR/150 which at least points to him being a good right fielder. If they are willing to let McLouth and Cabrera play center, I have to believe that Heyward would be able to do as well as them. He hasn’t played there in forever and it probably would take some getting used to, but I think he would be able to handle it.
Twitter: @Ben_Duronio
I’m to the point I’d just as soon keep Melky as our starting CFer, Heyward in right, get a left fielder, and keep Blanco as 4th OFer. McLouth and Diaz are nice guys, and Diaz is one of my favorites, but enough platooning already, let’s get 8 guys that can play the positions and a good bench and go play ball. Getting rid of Diaz and McLouth is easier said than done, but I’d love to see them gone.
Heyward is pretty good
Melky is the one that needs to go. Diaz hits righties just as well as Melky and give Mclouth some time. I am really hoping Mclouth can return to form and we don’t have to trade for anyone
Melky has done just fine and ...
…been a necessary piece for us this year. While I doubt he’ll ever be a star, he is very versitile, and makes a great fourth OF. Given the injuries we have had, he has been important for us so far this year.
yea but if Mclouth comes back normal then he is going to be an expensive fourth OF. Blanco can easily do that job just as good if not better
Blanco doesnt have the contact or power potential of McLouth
and its not eve close….Blanco is a fine 4th OFer, no more he has his hot streaks and we should ride them ,but he is not a starter
Heyward,Hanson,and Shaffer r ready now!! Why do you think they havent signed the "right handed bat"?
by fatazfoot on Jan 7, 2009 8:59 PM EST
I think he was referring to Melky as the expensive 4th OFer.
This guy wants to suck all the cubs dick can he not have an unbias some what partition reguards
by RWH2 on Apr 5, 2010 10:20 AM CDT
by justincredubil02 on Jul 18, 2010 2:33 AM EDT up reply actions
gotcha…
me fail
Heyward,Hanson,and Shaffer r ready now!! Why do you think they havent signed the "right handed bat"?
by fatazfoot on Jan 7, 2009 8:59 PM EST
Meh....
he’s making what, a little over $3m? That’s not bad for a player of his ilk in the 4th OF role. Not bad at all imo, and at the end of the year, we can either offer arb or let him walk.
by Mr. Sanchez on Jul 18, 2010 10:54 AM EDT up reply actions
I would like to bring him back. Melky has been playing very well over the past 2 months.
This guy wants to suck all the cubs dick can he not have an unbias some what partition reguards
by RWH2 on Apr 5, 2010 10:20 AM CDT
by justincredubil02 on Jul 18, 2010 11:14 AM EDT up reply actions
Kind of like with KJ though...
what kind of bump is he going to get salary wise in arbitration? And is that price worth it for a backup if he’s going to be getting $4-5m+, with Heyward in RF, McLouth at $6.5, and the desire for a big stick in LF. You’d have Schafer, Young, Blanco, and other cheap options, meaning imo that Melky becomes over priced if he’s a 4th OF. Unless we try to move McLouth and want Melky starting, I just don’t see it.
by Mr. Sanchez on Jul 18, 2010 11:40 AM EDT up reply actions
True, but Schafer would not be a candidate for a 4th OF – he needs to be playing everyday. Young is interesting. Blanco – bleh.
This guy wants to suck all the cubs dick can he not have an unbias some what partition reguards
by RWH2 on Apr 5, 2010 10:20 AM CDT
by justincredubil02 on Jul 18, 2010 12:09 PM EDT up reply actions
Blanco is cheaper than Melky, by far...
and the drop off doesn’t seem much if any. Just saying, offering Melky arbitration to be a 4th OF is probably too much to spend considering other needs, and cheaper options available.
I’d agree if Schafer is up, it’s to play everyday. But then that too would likely make likely a poor investment since he’s not really a corner OF and Schafer would be starting in his CF spot. The main point is, arbitration is generally a raise, and at a higher price that just seems way too much for a 4th OF. If he’s slated for starting CF, then find. But off the bench that’s just not worth it considering needs in LF and 3B (among other areas).
by Mr. Sanchez on Jul 18, 2010 12:24 PM EDT up reply actions
he has
but if Blanco can do the same thing and is cheaper, what’s the point?
Can Blanco do the same thing day in or day out, or just in 2-week stretches? Blanco does not impress me at all, and Melky does.
This guy wants to suck all the cubs dick can he not have an unbias some what partition reguards
by RWH2 on Apr 5, 2010 10:20 AM CDT
by justincredubil02 on Jul 19, 2010 1:10 AM EDT up reply actions
I see JHEY as a future CF
he’s big, fast, and has a good arm. I dont think his arm is good enough to be a RF and i find him to be a future CF no matter what
OJ didn't do it
While I respect your opinion,
I have to disagree. His arm is perhaps his greatest defensive weapon followed closely by his routes and ability to read balls of the bat. I believe I saw somewhere that while he was still in the minors his arm was ranked in the top ten of all minor league baseball players.
Once he fills out his massive frame it is a fair bet that he will become less and less of a CFer than he is now and not the other way around as you suggest. Currently I believe he is fast enough with enough range to play center along with his other fantastic defensive skills that will make him a great defender in right later in his career.
Jason Heyward wins at baseball.
you just said why he'd be a great CF
his ability to read balls of the bat and his routes to the ball
OJ didn't do it
Except he didn’t…
This guy wants to suck all the cubs dick can he not have an unbias some what partition reguards
by RWH2 on Apr 5, 2010 10:20 AM CDT
by justincredubil02 on Jul 16, 2010 7:11 AM EDT up reply actions
As for thinking the arm is not good enough...
…did you see that throw last night?
moving Jay-Hey to CF...
doubles the chances he freight trains one of our outfielders and puts them on the DL. right now we just have to worry about our CF
"Baseball is like church. Many attend; few understand." - Leo Durocher
by awix on Jul 15, 2010 4:11 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
+1
Advance apologies if the contents of this sports-based post offended you. I'm just aiming to educate the masses. My law professor says they're asses.
Panthers '010: Save the Richardson family coffers! We'll take the winning if we stumble into it.
by MichaelProcton on Jul 17, 2010 3:17 PM EDT up reply actions
Heyward is probably our best option in center, but...
…it is still a bad idea. He is a natural right fielder, and that is his best position. Sure, he could play center, but it isn’t like we have great hitting plodding corner OF’s to compliment him. And, bottom line, you don’t move the future franchise player to a non-natural position just for minor short term gains. It just isn’t worth it.
Bottom line—-yeah, he’s our best option in center. He’s also our best option in right. Hell, he’s also our best option in left. But he’s the future of the franchise; you play him in his best position, which is right.
I covet that guy like nerds covet cheerleaders- which is to say I’d leap all over the opportunity to get him, but it’ll never happen. Mariners have plenty of other more expendable pieces and I don’t see them giving him up without a massive overpay going back to them.
by J-Freak on Jul 15, 2010 10:09 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Hamilton, Josh
As long as we are throwing out names of guys who just aren’t going to be traded, we might as well throw out the names of some MVP candidates.
Hamilton is just as much of a CF as Heyward is in my mind…a guy who can play CF, but youd rather have him in the corner
but i understand you are being sarcastic as neither is available
Heyward,Hanson,and Shaffer r ready now!! Why do you think they havent signed the "right handed bat"?
by fatazfoot on Jan 7, 2009 8:59 PM EST
Heyward knows his position all too well to move him, and moving him would block a bunch of better center fielders from moving up in the system. I really hope that next season our center fielder is Matt Young and our left fielder is Jordan Schafer. That defense would be incredible.
Schafer in center and Young in left would be even better actually.
by Michael Pesce on Jul 16, 2010 1:46 AM EDT up reply actions
Is everyone blind?
Let me post something for you, and whoever guesses who this belongs to gets the prize:
Since 22 May
.303/.339/.432/.772
Ok, I am going to just say it: MELKY NEEDS TO BE STARTING IN CF NOW.
This guy wants to suck all the cubs dick can he not have an unbias some what partition reguards
by RWH2 on Apr 5, 2010 10:20 AM CDT
by justincredubil02 on Jul 16, 2010 7:14 AM EDT reply actions
Just to put this in a bit of perspective, this is Chipper’s line for the same time-frame:
.273/.369/.422/.791
This guy wants to suck all the cubs dick can he not have an unbias some what partition reguards
by RWH2 on Apr 5, 2010 10:20 AM CDT
by justincredubil02 on Jul 16, 2010 7:16 AM EDT up reply actions
Melk and Blanco in Center works for me.
Maybe we can move McLouth for some depth, elsewhere. I’m sure he’s still high on some teams’ radar.
"It looks like The Hound of the Baskervilles out there." - Steve Stone
"...I'm reminded of Wuthering Heights." - Harry Caray
~
I see a troll under that bridge!
by Chief Noc-A-Homa on Jul 16, 2010 10:30 AM EDT up reply actions
Greg White – I have seen this movie before, and every time I watch it, it ends the same way. I don’t know why people still want to see it.
This guy wants to suck all the cubs dick can he not have an unbias some what partition reguards
by RWH2 on Apr 5, 2010 10:20 AM CDT
by justincredubil02 on Jul 16, 2010 11:26 AM EDT up reply actions
I know the movie I want to see...
Return of the Highlander: Welcome Back McLouth. Of all the CF we got, and as much as I like the middling Melky, I want McLouth back in his .250/.350/.450 ways with 20/20 HR/SB.
by Mr. Sanchez on Jul 16, 2010 11:40 AM EDT up reply actions
I remember those days.
This guy wants to suck all the cubs dick can he not have an unbias some what partition reguards
by RWH2 on Apr 5, 2010 10:20 AM CDT
by justincredubil02 on Jul 16, 2010 11:44 AM EDT up reply actions
I want McLouth back in his .250/.350/.450 ways with 20/20 HR/SB
I agree, this is the best possible outcome. Get a solid contribitor (who remembers when McLouth was good enough that Bobby was trying him in the #3 spot and he had the most power and speed on the team?) without giving anyone up or giving up on a guy we still owe a fair chunk of salary to.
If Bobby were willing to use Heyward in CF we could use him there against lefties (we all know he is going to play against them anyways) and use either Infante or an aquired right handed bat in RF against lefties. Even when McLouth was good he sitll had problems with lefties.
Jason Heyward wins at baseball.
And honestly,...
getting back a full strength McLouth is as good or better than anything that seems to be out there on the trade market. IF, big if mind you, he can round back into his old ways with time to clear his head and refind his swing, we’re looking awesome for a stretch run with a strong lineup, solid staff, excellent bullpen, and excellent bench. My biggest concern wouldn’t be the lineup as much as if we have the dominant, front-line starters that seem necessary to post season success. Now, it’s doubtful we get everyone hitting on all cylinders at the same time, but say…
Prado
McLouth
Chipper
McCann/Glaus
Glaus/McCann
Heyward
Hinske/Diaz
Gonzalez
and a bench of Hinske/Diaz as a pinch hitter, Infante around the infield, Ross behind Heap, and Melky around the OF, gotta love it.
by Mr. Sanchez on Jul 16, 2010 11:53 AM EDT up reply actions
Just curious: why the switch of Heyward and McLouth?
If powerful McLouth is back, doesn’t it make sense to have OBP guy (Heyward) in the 2 spot?
This guy wants to suck all the cubs dick can he not have an unbias some what partition reguards
by RWH2 on Apr 5, 2010 10:20 AM CDT
by justincredubil02 on Jul 16, 2010 12:05 PM EDT up reply actions
No strong reason in my mind one way or the other...
McLouth’s OBP is solid also so he’s not a bad two hole hitter. He was always a top of the order guy, and you know how Bobby loves slotting the veterans where they are “comfortable” in the order. Plus, probably the main reason for why I put it like I did (since it was all in my head anyway), was that the back half of McLouth, Hinske/Diaz and Gonzalez looked a little weak in my eyes, and I liked the idea of adding a big punch in Heyward to that back end of the order. Giving threats in the top, middle, and end, and getting someone on for the slugging combo of Gonzalez and platooning Diaz vs. LH and Hinske vs. RH. Honestly, I could see all sorts of permutations, including McLouth or Prado leading off, McLouth, Prado, or Heyward in the 2 spot, or McLouth or Heyward (or Hinske or Diaz or whatever Bobby feels like on the given day) hitting 6th.
by Mr. Sanchez on Jul 16, 2010 12:20 PM EDT up reply actions
I love Heyward in the sixth spot...
SSS, obviously, but he absolutely killed it batting there earlier in the year. It was his performance there that got him moved up in the order.
Not only does it give him more opportunities to drive in runners, but he’s still got diaz/hinske to score him as well.
In a comparatively bigger sample size than his sixth-slot numbers alone, Heyward has hit considerably better with runners on base. He’s also allowed to be more patient and get his pitch. This in-game situation gives pitchers fits, as they’re forced to either put the ball over the plate for strikes or risk putting him on base.
So I think having Jones, McCann and Glaus hitting in front of him is better collectively than the No. 8 hitter, the pitcher/PH and Prado, even with Prado collecting all those hits.
-C
by cthabeerman on Jul 16, 2010 12:57 PM EDT up reply actions
BUT HE'S BEEN SOOOOOOO GOOD!
…over 60 PAs.
Advance apologies if the contents of this sports-based post offended you. I'm just aiming to educate the masses. My law professor says they're asses.
Panthers '010: Save the Richardson family coffers! We'll take the winning if we stumble into it.
by MichaelProcton on Jul 17, 2010 3:18 PM EDT up reply actions
I definitely know who I want in right field making that play to third, though.
However, I’ve thought about this as well, and I’m sure it could work.
"It looks like The Hound of the Baskervilles out there." - Steve Stone
"...I'm reminded of Wuthering Heights." - Harry Caray
~
I see a troll under that bridge!
by Chief Noc-A-Homa on Jul 16, 2010 10:29 AM EDT reply actions
Don't forget about Jordan Schafer
If he gets his confidence back in his bat, he’ll be our CF for next year.
I think it has more to do with getting a healthy wrist in baseball condition again than it does confidence.
This guy wants to suck all the cubs dick can he not have an unbias some what partition reguards
by RWH2 on Apr 5, 2010 10:20 AM CDT
by justincredubil02 on Jul 16, 2010 12:46 PM EDT up reply actions
Same here...
depending on how the rest of his season goes in AAA, it looks like we can erase that pencil of him in CF next year, and write back in McLouth or Melky. Freeman though is steadily turning from pencil to ink.
We are going to have a REALLY young team next season.
This guy wants to suck all the cubs dick can he not have an unbias some what partition reguards
by RWH2 on Apr 5, 2010 10:20 AM CDT
by justincredubil02 on Jul 16, 2010 1:26 PM EDT up reply actions
So long as they're good...
and depending on how things work out on the left side (3B, SS, and LF), I can handle young. Hell, even if Freeman isn’t ready, I think we can weasel into a decent 1B considering Konerko, Glaus, LaRoche, Lee, Pena, and others will all be free agents this winter without that many teams in need of a 1B.
I’m curious to see what the FO does with our 1B/3B situation next year. Do you trust Glaus to play 3rd again? Do you sign someone like Cantu? What happens if Freeman needs a little more time? Is Glaus willing to only take a 1-2 year deal.
if Glaus gets hot in the second half and posts the numbers he did in May/June. he will play his way out our price range and year range…Unless for someone reason he decides he wants to take less money to remain here. I would be happier if we just put Freeman at 1B (hope he is ready) and sign Beltre….our IF defense would be scary good (although, Beltre will probably be too expensive as well)
Heyward,Hanson,and Shaffer r ready now!! Why do you think they havent signed the "right handed bat"?
by fatazfoot on Jan 7, 2009 8:59 PM EST
Glaus was supposed to have been able to capably play third as of his signing.
Did so well for the Cards last year.
Advance apologies if the contents of this sports-based post offended you. I'm just aiming to educate the masses. My law professor says they're asses.
Panthers '010: Save the Richardson family coffers! We'll take the winning if we stumble into it.
by MichaelProcton on Jul 17, 2010 3:21 PM EDT up reply actions
Heyward played center often enough and well enough in the minors that it's not crazy.
However, I don’t think we want to keep him there and let his big body take the pounding CF puts on you for years to come.
Advance apologies if the contents of this sports-based post offended you. I'm just aiming to educate the masses. My law professor says they're asses.
Panthers '010: Save the Richardson family coffers! We'll take the winning if we stumble into it.
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