Which position is more important? Topic

torrone
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2 parts to this question. Which position 2B or RF, is more important defensively? And which position generates more fatigue? I'm leaning towards 2B as the answer to both questions. I remember seeing a list somewhere once that listed defensive positions in order of importance, with SS being most important and 1B being least, but I don't remember the rankings of the other positions.
2/26/2012 9:37 AM
moethedog
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2B, by a long way.  Not even close.
2/26/2012 9:45 AM
MikeT23
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Yeah.  I'm beginning to believe a rock with a little range can play RF.
2/26/2012 9:47 AM
tecwrg
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SS
2B/CF  (you can make a valid argument for either one)
3B
RF
LF
1B

C is a different animal, can't really be grouped together with the rest.
2/26/2012 10:18 AM
torrone
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Thanks. That's what I thought. And thanks for the list, tec.
2/26/2012 12:16 PM
gjello10
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I would put LF ahead of RF. LF requires less skills, specifically an ideal RF would have a big arm and LF doesn't neccesarily require that. But LF will get more chances than RF, and if I had to shove a 1B type in the OF (because I had 2 1B types with bats that just had to be in the lineup), I would probably put him in RF.
2/26/2012 12:58 PM
MikeT23
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Me too.
2/26/2012 1:53 PM
tecwrg
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Yeah.  My list was ordered by difficulty of position with respect to ratings.  But I agree that LF sees more action than RF so if you have to skimp defensively on one of the two, it would be RF.
2/26/2012 6:07 PM
tedwmoore
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I tend to agree that LF requires a better glove, but depending on your outfield dimensions RF might require the better range. Or an arm to help mask the limited range.
2/27/2012 12:17 AM
dedelman
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1) After observing closely for a few years, I feel pretty confident that (-) plays at a position are determined by comparing the player's rating to the expected ratings for that position, rather than using some absolute value of range.  So, on a per-play basis, a bad defender will make a few more (-) plays in RF than in LF.
2)  That said, the RF sees about 2/3 the balls of the LF.

If I need to skimp on defense I usually do so in RF-- but I think it's pretty close, and if I were facing a lineup with a lot of LHB I might change up and skimp in LF.

2/27/2012 9:57 AM
kneeneighbor
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Posted by MikeT23 on 2/26/2012 9:47:00 AM (view original):
Yeah.  I'm beginning to believe a rock with a little range can play RF.
SHHHHHH!
2/27/2012 1:49 PM
torrone
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In real baseball the rule of thumb was always to put you best OF arm in RF. Colavito, Callison, Barfield, etc. I don't care about the glove so much, but I would like to cut off the occasional 1st to 3rd on a line drive to RF. Won't do that with a spaghetti arm in RF.

2/28/2012 1:31 PM
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