Future Cards of 2012 > Shortstops
Zack Cozart SS CIN Bats: R Throws: R Age: 26 Draft: 2007-2(79) Stats AB H 2B 3B HR BB HB IB SO SH SF AVE SLG OBP OPS G:F BABIP vs LH 12 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 .333 .333 .333 .667 2.0 .363 vs RH 25 8 0 0 2 0 0 0 5 1 0 .320 .560 .320 .880 3.3 .333 Total 37 12 0 0 2 0 0 0 6 1 0 .324 .486 .324 .811 2.8 .344 Grade: P77-SS
Although he is older than the other prospects, the Reds have given Zack the starting job. While they might bring in someone to take the pressure off of him, the job is his. He is reliable in the field with average range. While he doesn’t walk much, he does have some pop and 15 home runs is not out of the question. He won’t be a star, but he is better than average.
Brandon Crawford SS SF Bats: L Throws: R Age: 23 Draft: 2008-4(117) Stats AB H 2B 3B HR BB HB IB SO SH SF AVE SLG OBP OPS G:F BABIP vs LH 30 4 1 1 0 3 0 0 12 1 0 .133 .233 .212 .445 1.8 .222 vs RH 166 36 4 1 3 20 0 1 19 0 0 .217 .307 .301 .608 1.6 .229 Total 196 40 5 2 3 23 0 1 31 1 0 .204 .296 .288 .584 1.7 .228 Grade: P76-SS
Crawford has the glove you want from a shortstop, but has limited offensive ability. In fact, he may not have enough offense to keep the job even though right now he is the starter.
Chase d'Arnaud SS PIT Bats: R Throws: R Age: 23 Draft: 2008-4(114) Stats AB H 2B 3B HR BB HB IB SO SH SF AVE SLG OBP OPS G:F BABIP vs LH 47 12 2 2 0 1 1 0 14 0 0 .255 .383 .286 .669 1.5 .363 vs RH 96 19 4 0 0 3 0 0 22 2 1 .198 .240 .220 .460 0.9 .253 Total 143 31 6 2 0 4 1 0 36 2 1 .217 .287 .242 .528 1.2 .287 Grade: P46-SS
The Pirates like d’Arnaud, but he has some issues. He has a strong arm, good for a shortstop, but his glove isn’t reliable. Offensively, he has some good speed, but doesn’t hit for power or average. The Pirates signed Clint Barmes for two years, so we’ll have to see what he does. He might end up a utility player.
Dee Gordon SS LAD Bats: L Throws: R Age: 22 Draft: 2007-2(127) Stats AB H 2B 3B HR BB HB IB SO SH SF AVE SLG OBP OPS G:F BABIP vs LH 69 19 1 0 0 3 0 0 13 0 0 .275 .290 .306 .595 1.8 .339 vs RH 155 49 8 2 0 4 0 0 14 2 0 .316 .394 .333 .727 2.6 .347 Total 224 68 9 2 0 7 0 0 27 2 0 .304 .362 .325 .686 2.2 .345 Grade: P77-SS
Gordon is a fantasy baseball delight, with excellent speed and he’ll steal plenty of bases. This isn’t Roto. This is Strat. On-base and defense count. His quickness gives him good range, but his glove isn’t terribly reliable. He’ll boot his share. He is an aggressive hitter who swings at anything in the zone. Taking a walk is not the first thing on his mind. He is the best shortstop of the bunch.
Tsuyoshi Nishioka 2B MIN Bats: L Throws: R Age: 27 Draft: NDFA 2010 Stats AB H 2B 3B HR BB HB IB SO SH SF AVE SLG OBP OPS G:F BABIP vs LH 79 16 3 0 0 2 0 0 15 1 0 .203 .241 .222 .463 2.3 .250 vs RH 142 34 2 0 0 13 1 1 28 2 0 .239 .254 .308 .561 2.4 .298 Total 221 50 5 0 0 15 1 1 43 3 0 .226 .249 .278 .527 2.4 .280 Grade: P66-SS
The Twins signed the 2010 Japanese batting title winner was supposed to add a spark to the offense. Nishioka broke his leg in the sixth game of the season. When he returned, he wasn’t the same. The Twins said that they will give him a chance to win the starting shortstop job. It is really hard to make him out. He isn’t as bad as he looked. If he wins the job, he could be useful in 2012.
Name TM B T AG Draft Grade ----------------------------------------------- Dee Gordon LAD L R 22 2007-2(127) P77-SS Zack Cozart CIN R R 26 2007-2(79) P77-SS Brandon Crawford SFG L R 23 2008-4(117) P76-SS Tsuyoshi Nishioka MIN L R 27 NDFA 2010 P66-SS Chase d'Arnaud PIT R R 23 2008-4(114) P46-SS
