Suppose you've already got a stud fielder at SS and you're about to acquire/bring up another stud fielder who is slightly worse. All his fielding stats are 85+ across the board. Would he be more valuable at 2B or CF? I know they both have tons of balls hit to them but I'm not sure which position would yield better outcomes with a great fielder there.

Thanks!

2B will get more chances, and his above average fielding ratings will tend to turn what would otherwise be singles into outs.

CF will get fewer chances, but his above average fielding ratings (particularly range) may turn potential extra base hits into outs.

You never see OFers get charged with throwing errors, which might lead one to believe that arm accuracy for OFers doesn't really come into play.

So no straight forward answer, but some factors to consider. You'll see benefits either way, they'll just manifest themselves in a different manner.

Maybe your ballpark and pitching staff should also be taken into consideration. If you have a lot of groundball pitchers and a small ballpark, put the guy at 2B. Flyball pitchers and a big ballpark, put him in CF.

Nice, thanks for the advice!

If the guy has a 90+ range, he might be more useful in CF.

Good point tecwrg about the outfield arm accuracy--I don't recall seeing throwing errors in the OF either. But I do see "throw went up the line" for plays at 3B or home, which I always thought was related to OF arm accuracy.

I think you're right about that, jc... it manifests itself in something less than a minus play, but I think those details can be pretty important.

You should also take into consideration who will be playing the other position when this guy plays either CF or 2B. You'd want to look at it as a tandem to give yourself the strongest defensive team.

Handedness will also be important. Anyone that throws y will have to go to CF.

Quote: Originally posted by torrone on 12/21/2009You should also take into consideration who will be playing the other position when this guy plays either CF or 2B. You'd want to look at it as a tandem to give yourself the strongest defensive team.

Agreed, if the next best guy/option is handed and can only play CF then 2B is your choice...

Or let's say the next best guy/option is a strong thrower (think a guy who doesn't quite make the cut for SS) I would be more inclined to put the better thrower at 2B to help with double plays.

In a vacuum though I'd play the guy at 2B

I thought ies had an ADVANTAGE when turning a double play at 2B??!?

nope. A y 2b has to almost do a 180 degree turn in order to get in proper throwing position to throw to first.

...which clearly builds up the torque for a laser to first.

Is the player shaved?

Quote: Originally Posted By byers61 on 12/23/2009nope. A y 2b has to almost do a 180 degree turn in order to get in proper throwing position to throw to first

Really? But the movement of taking the ball out of the glove means the momentum is headed towards 1st base.... wouldn't that speed it up?

Did you consider putting hinm at 3rd?