Brandon Wood Moving to 3B (maybe not permanently)

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Looks like he might play both SS and 3B at Salt Lake City this season. He's gonna end up at third base at the big leagues, imo.

 

LA Times[/url]"]TEMPE, ARIZ. — The long-anticipated move of Brandon Wood from shortstop to third base will officially begin today when the Angels start working their top prospect at the corner, a move that could hasten the 22-year-old's ascent to the big leagues and eventually provide a jolt to the Angels lineup.

 

Manager Mike Scioscia said Wednesday the switch is not necessarily permanent, that the Angels have not given up on Wood as a shortstop.

 

But with Wood's size and power projecting as well at third, with the organization stocked with far more capable shortstops than third basemen, and with the Angels offense always in need of power, the timing appears right for the transition.

 

"This is for our benefit and Brandon's benefit," Scioscia said. "If it works out and he can play third, to have that kind of bat coming up could help us….

 

"We're comfortable with his ability at shortstop, but as you get up that funnel toward the big leagues, a lot of times you have to become versatile to get to where you want to be."

[illiniguy]

I don't get this at all. He can handle short from the times I have seen him play. Now he will go to third where his bat doesn't stand out as much and he will get the treatment from Mike Scosioa(sp). Just like Dallas McPherson, Casey Kotchman, Kendry Morales, and Kendrick did. Anaheim finally wised up and got rid of Kennedy to prevent Kendrick from wating away. It seems they will give pitchers a chance, but love their Darrin Erstads and Rob Quinlans too much.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

I don't get this at all. He can handle short from the times I have seen him play. Now he will go to third where his bat doesn't stand out as much and he will get the treatment from Mike Scosioa(sp). Just like Dallas McPherson, Casey Kotchman, Kendry Morales, and Kendrick did. Anaheim finally wised up and got rid of Kennedy to prevent Kendrick from wating away. It seems they will give pitchers a chance, but love their Darrin Erstads and Rob Quinlans too much.

 

He's more likely to play at 3B right now, imo. No Orlando Cabrerra blocking him at SS.

[illiniguy]

I don't get this at all. He can handle short from the times I have seen him play. Now he will go to third where his bat doesn't stand out as much and he will get the treatment from Mike Scosioa(sp). Just like Dallas McPherson, Casey Kotchman, Kendry Morales, and Kendrick did. Anaheim finally wised up and got rid of Kennedy to prevent Kendrick from wating away. It seems they will give pitchers a chance, but love their Darrin Erstads and Rob Quinlans too much.

 

He's more likely to play at 3B right now, imo. No Orlando Cabrerra blocking him at SS.

I agree, but shouldn't they lok at the possibility that the kid can field short at a decent level and could hit 40-50 homers there? You know like AROD vaule. That is still great at third, but not as much so as at short. Oh well, I just hope they let him play when he arrives. Oh and am very greatful we picked Ryan Harvey.

[fromthestretch]

I don't get this at all. He can handle short from the times I have seen him play. Now he will go to third where his bat doesn't stand out as much and he will get the treatment from Mike Scosioa(sp). Just like Dallas McPherson, Casey Kotchman, Kendry Morales, and Kendrick did. Anaheim finally wised up and got rid of Kennedy to prevent Kendrick from wating away. It seems they will give pitchers a chance, but love their Darrin Erstads and Rob Quinlans too much.

 

I'm not sure it's fair to say that Quinlan has really been blocking anyone. He split time between 1B, 3B, and the outfield. Nearly 60% of his at-bats came against lefties, and he's pretty good against left-handed pitching.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

I don't get this at all. He can handle short from the times I have seen him play. Now he will go to third where his bat doesn't stand out as much and he will get the treatment from Mike Scosioa(sp). Just like Dallas McPherson, Casey Kotchman, Kendry Morales, and Kendrick did. Anaheim finally wised up and got rid of Kennedy to prevent Kendrick from wating away. It seems they will give pitchers a chance, but love their Darrin Erstads and Rob Quinlans too much.

 

He's more likely to play at 3B right now, imo. No Orlando Cabrerra blocking him at SS.

I agree, but shouldn't they lok at the possibility that the kid can field short at a decent level and could hit 40-50 homers there? You know like AROD vaule. That is still great at third, but not as much so as at short. Oh well, I just hope they let him play when he arrives. Oh and am very greatful we picked Ryan Harvey.

 

Yeah, I agree with you - his bat would be more valuable at SS than 3B. But I think that if he's ready for the bigs, I'd do whatever it takes to get him up to Anaheim.

 

And Wood was a late first rounder for a reason compared to Harvey. It's disappointing, but Wood wasn't on too many team's radars at 6 and Harvey was a potential #1 pick.

[illiniguy]

I don't get this at all. He can handle short from the times I have seen him play. Now he will go to third where his bat doesn't stand out as much and he will get the treatment from Mike Scosioa(sp). Just like Dallas McPherson, Casey Kotchman, Kendry Morales, and Kendrick did. Anaheim finally wised up and got rid of Kennedy to prevent Kendrick from wating away. It seems they will give pitchers a chance, but love their Darrin Erstads and Rob Quinlans too much.

 

He's more likely to play at 3B right now, imo. No Orlando Cabrerra blocking him at SS.

I agree, but shouldn't they lok at the possibility that the kid can field short at a decent level and could hit 40-50 homers there? You know like AROD vaule. That is still great at third, but not as much so as at short. Oh well, I just hope they let him play when he arrives. Oh and am very greatful we picked Ryan Harvey.

 

Yeah, I agree with you - his bat would be more valuable at SS than 3B. But I think that if he's ready for the bigs, I'd do whatever it takes to get him up to Anaheim.

 

And Wood was a late first rounder for a reason compared to Harvey. It's disappointing, but Wood wasn't on too many team's radars at 6 and Harvey was a potential #1 pick.

I know, but I am sure Tampa Bay not picking the hometown kid should have told us a little something. Alhtough he was injured, but hey at lest we didn't end up with Sleeth or Stauffer.

[Guest]

They are plenty of scouts he believe Wood WILL EVENTUALLY outgrow SS, so maybe this is preemptive move by the Angels. Besides don't the Angels have enough SS prospect?

[UK1679666180]

It has a appearence of a good proactive move by Bane.

[BigbadB]

They are plenty of scouts he believe Wood WILL EVENTUALLY outgrow SS, so maybe this is preemptive move by the Angels. Besides don't the Angels have enough SS prospect?

 

They traded Alberto Callaspo.

 

They have Erick Aybar. But, he's more of a speedster, hit for average SS. As far as glovework is concerned, Aybar may be a better defender, but the offense Wood provides is not of this world.

 

I suppose if I had to make comparisons, Aybar compares somewhat to Brandon Phillips, and Brandon Wood compares to A-Rod.

 

Meanwhile, both are blocked by a SS (Orlando Cabrera) that closely resembles Royce Clayton.

 

Go figure.

[CoolHandLuke]

They are plenty of scouts he believe Wood WILL EVENTUALLY outgrow SS, so maybe this is preemptive move by the Angels. Besides don't the Angels have enough SS prospect?

 

They traded Alberto Callaspo.

 

They have Erick Aybar. But, he's more of a speedster, hit for average SS. As far as glovework is concerned, Aybar may be a better defender, but the offense Wood provides is not of this world.

 

I suppose if I had to make comparisons, Aybar compares somewhat to Brandon Phillips, and Brandon Wood compares to A-Rod.

 

Meanwhile, both are blocked by a SS (Orlando Cabrera) that closely resembles Royce Clayton.

 

Go figure.

 

I am sorry, but I think the Aybar/Phillips Wood/Arod comparisons are terrible. I can't think of better ones right now though so this post is pointless.

[BigbadB]

Yeah, Aybar probably more closely resembles Hanley Ramirez because of the speed and AVG.

 

I noticed you didn't say anything about my Royce Clayton/Orlando Cabrera comparison. :D

[CaliforniaRaisin]

They are plenty of scouts he believe Wood WILL EVENTUALLY outgrow SS, so maybe this is preemptive move by the Angels. Besides don't the Angels have enough SS prospect?

 

It has a appearence of a good proactive move by Bane.

 

I agree.

[nilodnayr]

And now they are giving thought of using Aybar has a utility man!!!

 

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070223&content_id=1813563&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb