/cosign.
Rendon IMO has a higher ceiling than Ackley, but since he has to play 3B the floor of his performance relative to a normal 3B is probably about the same as Ackley's floor compared to 2B performance. Ackley has to hit like his 10th percentile projection NOT to be a league-average 2B. Guys who can walk like him, with his theoretical hit tool, just don't come along too often at 2B. When they do, they're all stars if they perform. Ackley could just be decent, but he would have to totally face-plant into an acre of poison ivy in order to be a below-offensive 2B.
But the upside of what happens if Rendon and Ackley hit even a moderate projection is astounding. I'd looooove to be able to get Rendon because the Pirates take a pitcher. Smoak has more hurdles to overcome because his bat is required to be bigger for the position he plays, and I think Rendon is more talented.
And Franklin has a long way to go, even with the amazing promise of his season.
But it's still a heartening prospect, to have so many players with talent in the system and the opportunity to add another massive one. And yeah, I'm also not sold on Springer. But that's why they play the games. Springer will have another college season to impress, and Rendon will get to show whether he's healthy after that devastating injury.
If the Pirates doubt it and use that as an excuse to pass on him, so much the better for us.
~G
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