Q.  Would SSI project that, moving off of short, Nakajima-san could be expected to hit better than he does?

A.  Probably.  We mean "probably" in the literal sense of the word:  60%, 70% chance.

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Q.  Is that because your body takes less of a pounding at SS?

A.  Having played all of them a bit, I might wonder if 3B (probably), C (certainly) and CF (maybe) might not lead to more wear-and-tear than SS...  I'm guessing that Ken Caminiti, Troy Glaus and co. could tell you a thing or two about the nicks and dings that ML third basemen take.  :- )

It's just a guess, but I'm not sure that pro infielders would tell you that SS leaves you in the training room longer than 2B or 3B.

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Q.  Do shortstops' attention to defense ---> deflect their hitting development?

A.  The concentration involved in a demanding defensive position *certainly* takes a hitter's attention away from hitting, such as catching, though I wouldn't know whether SS qualifies...

SS was Dr. D's primary position in slo-pitch and it was always the most fun position to play.  It demands the feet of a 2B and the arm of a 3B (none of which I had, except compared to other Denny's cooks) .... but why would that leave you thinking about defense during the bottom half of the inning?  Doubt that it does.

Any ballplayers here are welcome to correct me :- )

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For 30 years, we've noticed that catchers -- such as Jason Varitek -- develop 1-4 years later than they would at other positions. 

I've never noticed that with SS's, not at all, except for this:  Shortstops aren't expected to hit, so an Omar Vizquel will get called up 3 years before he would get called up at second base.

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Q.  So, why would you presume that Nakajima would hit better at 2B or 3B?

A.  James did prove (to my satisfaction, LOL) this much:  that if you are a "tweener" then you will hit better if placed at your easier defensive position.

This is one of James' most valuable discoveries.

We remember reading about this when Howard Johnson first came up.  HoJo was a SS/3B "tweener" -- he was a dubious SS or a real good 3B.

At the time, everybody assumed you should put the guy at his harder position -- you give away a little defense, but hey, there's a cleanup hitter at SS.

James, reviewing history, found that the great organizations did the opposite.  They put the HoJo's at their easier positions -- and then watched those players become much greater commodities than they would have otherwise.

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If Nakajima were to come to the States and receive criticism for his SS play on grass, it wouldn't be helpful to his hitting.

Tadahito Iguchi is an example of a "tweener" SS/2B and the Sox, to the best of my knowledge, wouldn't even let him back up at SS.  They wanted to make his job as easy as possible and to allow Iguchi to have as much success as possible.

On all these general principles, SSI would presume that Nakajima would hit somewhat better as a 2B than as a SS.  But it's just guessing.

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Q.  So would you play Nakajima at 2B?

A.  No.  Even if you gained 15 points of batting average, it would be beside the point.  The point being, the M's need a shortstop.

But if and when Nakajima converts, there may be a little hitting boost available if he's moved into a Mark McLemore role.

An international star at SS for the M's?  Sure would look sweet, wouldn't it?

Cheerio,

Dr D