Jump to content
Can Imanaga keep rolling against the Phils? Join our game thread! ×
North Side Baseball

The theory of keeping guys in their regular position

Ivy.n.Denver

By Ivy.n.Denver,
in Chicago Cubs Talk

 Share

Recommended Posts

Ivy.n.Denver College Ball

Ivy.n.Denver

Verified Member
Posted
  • Author
Posted
Who subscibes?

 

I mean, for today's game wouldn't the best defensive alignment be Blanco at ss and Theriot at 2b?

 

That'd be the best alignment every time Blanco and Theriot play.

 

So you don't subscribe to the theory

Guest

Guest

Guests
Posted
Posted
Blanco is a better defender at shortstop so it seems a waste to put him at second and Theriot at short. Maximize the talent on your roster.
SouthSideRyan MVP

SouthSideRyan

Old-Timey Member
Posted
Posted
Blanco is a better defender at shortstop so it seems a waste to put him at second and Theriot at short. Maximize the talent on your roster.

 

But Theriot hasn't played 2B regularly in 3 years. I don't think it's that big of a deal.

SouthSideRyan MVP

SouthSideRyan

Old-Timey Member
Posted
Posted
Blanco is a better defender at shortstop so it seems a waste to put him at second and Theriot at short. Maximize the talent on your roster.

 

But Theriot hasn't played 2B regularly in 3 years. I don't think it's that big of a deal.

 

Well [expletive] me sideways

Guest

Guest

Guests
Posted
Posted
He can learn like Cedeño was supposed to a few years ago. Blanco would have gotten to that ball.
sporrer17 Draft Eligible

sporrer17

Old-Timey Member
Posted
Posted
I'm a big believer that Blanco should be at SS when he and Theriot are both on the field. Theriot simply doesn't have the ability to field much to his right hand side (in the hole) because of his range and limited arm.
Cubbie Swagger Draft Eligible

Cubbie Swagger

Old-Timey Member
Posted
Posted
Well, I don't consider SS to be Theriot's "regular" position, but he's just kind of stuck there because he's all we have.

Apparently Theriot actually played shortstop his whole life, and that is his regular/natural position. I think he was only playing second because that's where we needed him. When he was asked, "Hey, Theriot, can you play shortstop?" he responded "I AM a shortstop". I think Len or Bob was where I heard that story... if I remember correctly.

sporrer17 Draft Eligible

sporrer17

Old-Timey Member
Posted
Posted
Well, I don't consider SS to be Theriot's "regular" position, but he's just kind of stuck there because he's all we have.

Apparently Theriot actually played shortstop his whole life, and that is his regular/natural position. I think he was only playing second because that's where we needed him. When he was asked, "Hey, Theriot, can you play shortstop?" he responded "I AM a shortstop". I think Len or Bob was where I heard that story... if I remember correctly.

 

I remember hearing that too.

UK1679666180 Knoxville Smokies

UK1679666180

Verified Member
Posted
Posted
Fwiw, Theriot was cheating on the play as far as reading the sign from the C and location and taking a couple of steps to his left because the pitch was away from Ramirez, this is something Ripken did throughout his career to help his below avg. quickness at SS. Ramirez instead of hitting it where it was pitched and going back up the box, rolled over the pitch, but is strong enough to hit it well enough to get through there with Theriot out of position.
Tracer Bullet Knoxville Smokies

Tracer Bullet

Old-Timey Member
Posted
Posted
Fwiw, Theriot was cheating on the play as far as reading the sign from the C and location and taking a couple of steps to his left because the pitch was away from Ramirez, this is something Ripken did throughout his career to help his below avg. quickness at SS. Ramirez instead of hitting it where it was pitched and going back up the box, rolled over the pitch, but is strong enough to hit it well enough to get through there with Theriot out of position.

 

That makes sense and he should play the percentages. But that doesn't really answer the Q of whether Blanco should be playing SS. Does a SS with better range get to that ball (whether due to better range or b/c they wouldn't be cheating to one side b/c they didn't have to)?

UK1679666180 Knoxville Smokies

UK1679666180

Verified Member
Posted
Posted

Players should do what Theriot did as far as reading the sign from the C, scouting reports on the hitter, and cheat where the ball is likely headed, it's not a matter of a player having to do so b/c they lack range as Every fielder should do that.

 

Blanco is a better defender than Theriot at SS, though.

Guest

Guest

Guests
Posted
Posted
Just because someone might have been good enough to be a high school or college shortstop doesn't necessarily make them good enough to be a major league shortstop.
Guest

Guest

Guests
Posted
Posted

And it's about as reliable as a day laborer with a drinking problem.

 

Yes, we all understand you both have a blinding hatred of UZR.

I don't have a blinding hatred of UZR. I just don't think people should use it as an anchor for judgment; at least not in the way you seem to like to do. It's terribly unreliable and it's validity is pretty bad too. There are too many variables that go into defense that are nearly impossible to quantify. UK mentioned one in his above post.

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing
The North Side Baseball Caretaker Fund
The North Side Baseball Caretaker Fund

You all care about this site. The next step is caring for it. We’re asking you to caretake this site so it can remain the premier Cubs community on the internet. Included with caretaking is ad-free browsing of North Side Baseball.

Become a Caretaker

  • Member Statistics

    6,793
    Total Members
    13,056
    Most Online
    Kevin OBrien
    Newest Member
    Kevin OBrien
    Joined
×
×
  • Create New...