09-21-2009, 05:36 PM
<!--quoteo(post=63921:date=Sep 21 2009, 04:29 PM:name=Scarey)-->QUOTE (Scarey @ Sep 21 2009, 04:29 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=63914:date=Sep 21 2009, 03:56 PM:name=veryzer)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (veryzer @ Sep 21 2009, 03:56 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->here's something i don't get. why can't soriano or fox or whoever play rightfield? what difference does it make if they suck in right or left? why is it more important to have a better fielding rightfielder? to me, the only difference between the two is that in right, you need stronger arm, for that handful of times a year when there's a play at third.
in other words, why is it ok to have crappy fielders in left, but not in right? i would think more balls would be hit to left anyway, due to the majority of hitters being righthanded.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
For one thing, right field at Wrigley is extremely hard to play defensively. This is due to the wall, and the sun on afternoon games which the Cubs obviously have a large amount of compared to other teams.
Also, I think you're undervaluing the third base thing. The fielder has to put himself in a good position when fielding a ball down the line so that doubles don't turn into triples. While this is somewhat of a problem in left field, it's not nearly as bad as right field. If we have Jake Fox in right field, he takes a lot more time than Kosuke would to get to a ball hit down the line. That difference in time (not even counting the strength/accuracy of throwing arms) could be the difference between a double and a triple.
Preventing a player advancing from first to third on a single is very important too. It creates a forceout at third, it prevents a sac fly opportunity. There's lots of ways it helps.
Of course the throwing arm also comes in handy to home for obvious reasons. Again, if you have a quick, smart fielder that doesn't have a great arm, he can still prevent a player from scoring from second on a single by simply getting himself in a good position make a strong and accurate throw home.
Basically, I tend to believe that a good fielder can do a lot of little things to prevent a lot of individual situations that could otherwise lead to runs here and there, and that adds up over the course of a season.
Also, the fact that we have a good-not-great centerfielder and an awful left fielder means we really should get as good a defensive right fielder as we can.
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eh, i just don't see that many first to third throws. i'm not saying it doesn't happen, just not as much as you think. to me, if a player can hit, you'll find a place for him, be it in right or left or whatever.
in other words, why is it ok to have crappy fielders in left, but not in right? i would think more balls would be hit to left anyway, due to the majority of hitters being righthanded.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
For one thing, right field at Wrigley is extremely hard to play defensively. This is due to the wall, and the sun on afternoon games which the Cubs obviously have a large amount of compared to other teams.
Also, I think you're undervaluing the third base thing. The fielder has to put himself in a good position when fielding a ball down the line so that doubles don't turn into triples. While this is somewhat of a problem in left field, it's not nearly as bad as right field. If we have Jake Fox in right field, he takes a lot more time than Kosuke would to get to a ball hit down the line. That difference in time (not even counting the strength/accuracy of throwing arms) could be the difference between a double and a triple.
Preventing a player advancing from first to third on a single is very important too. It creates a forceout at third, it prevents a sac fly opportunity. There's lots of ways it helps.
Of course the throwing arm also comes in handy to home for obvious reasons. Again, if you have a quick, smart fielder that doesn't have a great arm, he can still prevent a player from scoring from second on a single by simply getting himself in a good position make a strong and accurate throw home.
Basically, I tend to believe that a good fielder can do a lot of little things to prevent a lot of individual situations that could otherwise lead to runs here and there, and that adds up over the course of a season.
Also, the fact that we have a good-not-great centerfielder and an awful left fielder means we really should get as good a defensive right fielder as we can.
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eh, i just don't see that many first to third throws. i'm not saying it doesn't happen, just not as much as you think. to me, if a player can hit, you'll find a place for him, be it in right or left or whatever.
Wang.