Best Tools - American League

by agermer on Aug 10, 2007 2:59 PM PDT

Baseball America recently released the results of a survey they took of AL managers' ratings for a variety of player's "tools."

What got me excited was that Kotch was rated the third best defensive first basemen. He finished behind Tex, who is no longer in the league, and Carlos Pena, who just this year finanlly established himself a consistent starting spot; Casey would seem certain to supplant him eventually. It's nice see him get respect from the same guys who must cringe every time he stabs a scorcher down the line.

Several other Angels finished in the top three of various categories, and Scioscia was rated the second best manager (though I have never heard of a manager as having "tools," Sosh does have a unique blend of player experience, relative youth, and a bilingual speaking ability.) Frankie was listed as having the third best curveball, though I often see the pitch listed as a slider, but I guess either way it's filthy.

See what you think about these rankings, I would say they are pretty darn accurate, or at least that there aren't any glaring anomalies.

Link:
http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/majors/features/264575.html

On a side note, Kotchman signed autgraphs on Thursday at a Dairy Queen in Mission Viejo. My dad went down and got me a signed ball, which was a nice surprise. But what really strapped me tighter onto the Casey train was that on his off day, he signed for free to raise money for the Children's Miracle Network. I think every day that goes by is another day we can all be happier that he is in an Angel uniform.

This Fan-Post is authored by an independent fan. Tell us what you think and how you feel.

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Comments

Casey

where are the idiots who wanted to trade him for teixeira? Atlanta hopefully (apologies to shiftyeyedgoat who lives in the ATL)

by Rev Halofan on Aug 10, 2007 3:00 PM PDT reply actions

A yes for the trade

was not a no for Casey.

That being said I never thought Casey + Saunders was even remotely discussable.

I'm giving Figgins a big F U. Seattle isn't winning 90. I am not worried.

by hauldog on Aug 10, 2007 3:12 PM PDT up reply actions

If you pay close attention,

you'll eventually notice that Stoneman and the Angels have been mentioned as extreme players in every high-profile trade and free agent acquisition for the last three+ years. However, none of these media darlings have yet occurred.

Imagining the cheap potential, as well as the current production of both Kotchman and Saunders, I found it incomprehensible that that trade would be made.........especially for a one year, two month rental of a Boras client.

It seems mandatory that a part of the initiation process of each and every prospect/player that we bring up is to be included in one or more trade rumors. If nothing else, this furthers the mental toughening that management probably feels is necessary to play in the the major leagues. I'm sure that someone is paying close attention to just how each particlar object (player) handles the pressure.

It seems that players that we have traded FOR don't get the same trade-rumor treatment. Obviously, they have already been subject to the process........and unless they're just trying to get rid of the player, why would they want to damage the psyche of the guy anyway?

Having said all this, I'm convinced that MOST (maybe not all) of the participation in these high-profile trades and free agent acquisitions is purely for show. It's advertisement for the Angels. Stoneman's the bank-manager poker player, and Moreno is the advertising guru. They're a perfect match.

Oh!........And we've already seen such teamwork pulled in the instance when the trade partner agreed to the deal. If you recall, Stoneman very publicly traded Erstad once before to the Chicago White Sox, only to have the deal nixed by President Tavares. What a publicity coup!

by wumbug on Aug 10, 2007 4:10 PM PDT up reply actions

Hey I'm in San Diego and LA this week

So bash away on the Dodgers of the Southeast all you want, but I did catch Tex's first at bat as a Bravo, as well as his first homer; that was a fun game.

In other news does anyone want to go to a Pads game next week whilst the Angels are out of town?

by shiftyeyedgoat on Aug 10, 2007 5:27 PM PDT up reply actions

I'm in Carlsbad next week

I do

I'm giving Figgins a big F U. Seattle isn't winning 90. I am not worried.

by hauldog on Aug 11, 2007 12:48 AM PDT up reply actions

sweet

I'm thinking either Tuesday or Wednesday. My friend (and Dodger fan) is going to come, as well as my dad (maybe). They're playing the Rockies until through Thursday, I believe.

I was at the game tonight and boy howdy did that Maicer blast shake the stadium.

by shiftyeyedgoat on Aug 11, 2007 10:50 PM PDT up reply actions

dude

Ive known you for 20 years and I dont ever think I've heard you say or read you type "boy howdy". Wtf is in the water in the ATL?

by Pwn on Aug 12, 2007 10:09 AM PDT up reply actions

sorry

it must be all the rat feces I ingested from eating at Angel stadium tonight

We left SD at fucking 3PM, got there at 6:15.

Traffic on the 5 was ridiculous.

by shiftyeyedgoat on Aug 12, 2007 7:13 PM PDT up reply actions

Derek Jeter is NOT the best defensive shorstop

That's the biggest misconception over the last four years.

"A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on." - Sir Winston Churchill

by WeaverMania on Aug 10, 2007 3:03 PM PDT reply actions

Agree

And there is a lot of other stuff to disagree with on those lists.

by Higz on Aug 10, 2007 3:05 PM PDT up reply actions

I was gonna comment

on the Jeter thing. But I figured it would come up eventually. I am completely sick or any backhanded grab he makes or long throw that beats a sluggish runner immediately qualifying as a top five "web gem."

by agermer on Aug 10, 2007 3:07 PM PDT up reply actions

but Jeter

has more natural 'sixth sense' about baseball as any player in my lifetime.

but as a pure SS though, agreed - he's not the best.

by rbrianc on Aug 10, 2007 3:50 PM PDT up reply actions

And let's remember

the "Captain" of the Yankees is going to be overrated.

by BruinHalo on Aug 10, 2007 3:55 PM PDT up reply actions

especially one who has 4 WS Rings

by rbrianc on Aug 10, 2007 3:59 PM PDT up reply actions

I'm excited about it

because I love Kotchman and all the praise that he'll ever get.

But be careful how much you read into it all...these retards are calling Derek Jeter the best defensive shortstop in the American League. That man is a fucking walking legend without a reason. Jesus Christ, he makes my blood boil.

http://kotchatthebat.livejournal.com/

by Caseys Kiss of Death on Aug 10, 2007 3:06 PM PDT reply actions

Except for how he's a Hall of Fame hitter

by mattwelch on Aug 10, 2007 4:02 PM PDT up reply actions

And a career .290 hitter

in any other lineup that doesn't feature a new massive free agent batting behind him every year. Fuck the guy.

http://kotchatthebat.livejournal.com/

by Caseys Kiss of Death on Aug 10, 2007 6:23 PM PDT up reply actions

The Best TOOL in the AL is Schilling

Best tools (at 1B) belong to Kotchman.

by PieceOfAase on Aug 10, 2007 3:23 PM PDT reply actions

Jeter? Really?

Any list hat claims Jeter is the best defensive shortstop in the league loses all credibility.

I'm giving Figgins a big F U. Seattle isn't winning 90. I am not worried.

by hauldog on Aug 10, 2007 3:27 PM PDT reply actions

He's not even the best defensive SS on his team

People never mention that his FP% (.975) is barely above the lgFP% (.972) but his RF (4.08) is below the lgRF (4.13). He has a higher fielding percentage than the league average because of the fact that he gets to fewer balls than the average shortstop. He's an average defensive shortstop, no way around it.

Go look at A-Rod's defensive ability at SS. His FP% (.977) is higher than the lgFP% (.972) at a better rate than Jeter's. Meanwhile, his RF (4.42) cruches the lgRF (4.15). He makes fewer errors than the average shortstop despite getting to more balls and making a play on them. That shows greatness.

Now go look at Orlando Cabrera. His FP% (.978) is higher than the lgFP% (.970) by a considerable margin while his RF (4.33) kills the league lgRF (3.98). Not to mention that this season, he's owning the American League. He has a .983 FP% while the league is at .969 for the year. His RF is at 4.26 while the league is at 4.03 for the year. That screams volumes as to how great of a defensive shortstop he really is.

The sad part is that David Eckstein --yes, David Eckstein-- is a better defensive shortstop than Derek Jeter. His FP% (.979) is higher than the lgFP% (.973) while his RF (4.25) is higher than the lgRF (4.08). Think about that. David Eckstein, over the course of his career, has been a better defensive shortstop than Derek Jeter.

Yet, Jeter is God.

"A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on." - Sir Winston Churchill

by WeaverMania on Aug 10, 2007 3:48 PM PDT up reply actions

Cabrera

Yet he will not win the gold glove. Got to love it!

I'm giving Figgins a big F U. Seattle isn't winning 90. I am not worried.

by hauldog on Aug 10, 2007 3:56 PM PDT up reply actions

Eckstein

Has no arm, that was my only complaint.

I'm giving Figgins a big F U. Seattle isn't winning 90. I am not worried.

by hauldog on Aug 10, 2007 3:56 PM PDT up reply actions

Of course Eckstein has the best tools...

he just ordered the 128 piece Snap-On kit... He should be set for all his home repair and craft projects...

by SPWC on Aug 10, 2007 4:50 PM PDT up reply actions

The Sad Thing

is that (apparently) even the majority of the manager's in the AL must buy into the hype or actually feel that somehow Jeter is the best.

In fact, the main reason I was so fascinated by this list is that the panel members here are all "experts" and in positions of major (league) influence and power. That's why I was fascinated to get everybody's opinion on this list's faults and accuracies, and I am glad people are laying into both.

by agermer on Aug 10, 2007 3:53 PM PDT up reply actions

I alway thought Don Bosch had the tools.

Especially the cordless drills.

by melvintoast on Aug 10, 2007 3:52 PM PDT reply actions

Kotchman was only one of two hitters

who reported to camp the first day with the pitchers. From day one in early february i was posting here how solid a year he was going to have and he was back.

the only other positional player that showed up that first day with pitchers was some kid named Reggie Willits. I'd heard of him, but didn't pay much attention to him.

BTW, whatever happened to Willits? is he having a good year in SLC? i was impresssed by this kid of having no chance of making the MLB Opening Day roster showing up that first day though, so i wish him the best - maybe he'll get a cup of coffee in The Show some day.

;-)

by rbrianc on Aug 10, 2007 3:56 PM PDT reply actions

Another problem

Josh Beckett is not the best pitcher in the league, and his curve ball is NOT better than Frankies. (assuming we are calling it a curve.)

Also how do no Angels make the best baserunner?

I am glad to see Torre omitted from the managerial list.

I'm giving Figgins a big F U. Seattle isn't winning 90. I am not worried.

by hauldog on Aug 10, 2007 3:58 PM PDT reply actions

You'll get a bigger kick out of the NL list

Jose Reyes being #1 for defensive SS while Omar Vizquel is #2. Um, Vizquel is the gold standard for defensive shortstops right now. He should be #1.

The other hilarious part is Tony La Russa as the 2nd best manager in the NL. He is the most overrated manager ever.

Glad to see Matt Holliday get some love, though.

"A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on." - Sir Winston Churchill

by WeaverMania on Aug 10, 2007 4:09 PM PDT up reply actions

The Best Tool in the NL is LaRussa...

Sorry PieceofAase for stealing your line, but LaRussa and tool are synonymous...

A big FU to the A's and Dodgers....

by Crapper John MD on Aug 10, 2007 4:18 PM PDT up reply actions

I like him as a player but...

...whoever wrote this really needs to crawl out of Ichiro's ass and take a deep breath

by The Limey on Aug 10, 2007 4:18 PM PDT reply actions

maybe

but if Ichiro started his career in the US and not Japan, i think he'd challenge Petey's all-time hits record as long as he stated healthy.

by rbrianc on Aug 10, 2007 5:24 PM PDT up reply actions

Fair comment

...but he's got him in 1st or 2nd for 7 out of the 10 categories for which he's eligible. That seems a little on the high side for me.

Fine player, but really, calm down.

by The Limey on Aug 11, 2007 12:24 AM PDT up reply actions

Skills Challenge

I remember watching the NHL all-star game one year and seeing some of the players go through a "skills challenge" that involved aiming pucks in different areas of the net and racing up and down the ice. I remember it as being good spirited competition and entertaining given my general lack of interest in hockey.

The NBA had the sense to bring back the slam dunk competition and has developed a solid history with the Three-Point Shootout.

Which gets me thinking...

How realistic would it be to have an MLB Tools (for lack of ANY other word) competition?

We already have one of them down (power) in the home run derby. It's tought to think of a way in which hitting for average could be tested - same goes for fielding. Both of those skills are measured pretty well over the course of the season.

However, I get excited just thinking about timing Jose Reyes vs. Carl Crawford in a race around the bases, or testing the accuracy and strength of Vlad's vs. Ichiro's throw to the plate from dead center. I understand there is an inherent risk in players going "all-out" to win, but I just thought it was a neat idea.

by agermer on Aug 10, 2007 4:51 PM PDT reply actions

Sounds like battle of the network stars.

by melvintoast on Aug 10, 2007 5:08 PM PDT up reply actions

Battle of the Network Stars LOL!

Dirk Benedict vs. Gil Gerard!
Hervé Villechaize vs. Gary Coleman!
:-))

Ain't no stoppin' us now. We got the groove!

by Fan Since 1981 on Aug 11, 2007 12:14 PM PDT up reply actions

I'm a little suprised

that Vlad wasn't on the top three for "Strike Zone Judgement"

by vladtastic on Aug 10, 2007 5:52 PM PDT reply actions

horrible list

you can tell this list is made by some guy who has fantasies about ichiro and jeter every night. you can tell this list is bogus. this list would have been better if it was supported by stats and a longer list for each category. to limit each category is wrong. and since when did franky throw a curve i thought he threw sliders. and j.j. putz is over rated. the best closer is frankie or rivera. (personally i like frankie better) last time i checked both had rings. j.j. putz has 2 1/2 good seasons and now he's better than K-Rod, thats crap. talk to me when j.j. putz has a ring. Papelbon has skill but i'd like to see what that guy does in the post season before saying he's better than hoffman or anyother closer.

by docescobar07 on Aug 10, 2007 6:32 PM PDT reply actions

Remember the Brad Lidge is GOD chants?

Oh, how Houston and the press gloated how the dude was unhittable! Well, on the big stage, he took a pratfall -- and it has been downhill ever since. JJ Putz, are you ready for your closeup?? You've already flubbed your lines once, at the All-Star game, and it took one of ours to bail you out.

Seattle will always be the Washington Generals of baseball.

by PieceOfAase on Aug 11, 2007 12:33 AM PDT reply actions