He worked HARD on his defense, and he's gonna stick at 3B, which is something I didn't think he would be able to do last year. I thought he could play part-time at 3rd but not full-time. I also thought since he's just huge, he'd get too big.
He's good enough to be there, no worries. I'm not sold on him being the hitter I'd like him to be, but he'll hit enough to hold down a gig. Troy Glaus offense at 3B would be wonderful but not required.
I'm curious to see if he'll do it with us. I don't think he's ready yet and I'm not positive how many more options he has - started at 17, so he had 4 years before the options started, so next year should be his last option, I believe.
I'd use it, and send him back down for 2012. That creates a problem, since Francisco Martinez will likely be in AAA then too and trying to man 3B.
But yes, Doc, I'd much rather have too many prospects. I've been waiting for a long time to have that problem. A system of vibrant prospects pushing for major league jobs is a wonderful thing. How much fun is it to hear somebody like Jim Callis says Walker might be better than Hultzen or Paxton? Teenage Campos might be a top-100 prospect and an afterthought in the system.
We have disposable (or at least redundant) 98 mph starters, several blue chip prospects at multiple positions, and a huge chunk of promotions already made with talented folks.
Look at it this way: How much trouble would we be in trying to do this rebuild with Bavasi's guys? We're ALREADY the worst offenses in DH history, and I think we would have been substantially worse.
Patience is hard, but at least it looks like there's a better reward at the end than we were given after the 2004 "reload."
~G
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