David Freese or Ian Stewart?

[stormngt]

Had no idea Stewart was a 1st round draft pick. He was the number 10 pick of the draft! Does anyone happen to have a scouting report of Stewart back then? Really curious to see what scouts saw in him for him to be a top 10 pick, obviously other than his power.

Proof that draft picks, no matter how high, are a crap shoot.

 

Wasn't Hudler the first pick of the draft?

[stormngt]

Green is not going to be considered for 3B so drop that idea. 

 

Despite his struggles the past few years, he has talent. Some players to realize their talent until later in their career. 

 

careful chuck, your giving me GMJ flashbacks.

[stormngt]

Until Bourjos has a healthy full productive season and Grichuk makes a big league roster somewhere and has any kind of success it's premature to say it was a bad trade.

Freese could also pull his head out and put together a productive season still.

Time will tell.

Bourjos had a healthy 2011.  He was healthy 2012, but was beating out by Trout, and the need to play Trumbo and Wells, and Abreu.  He was only unhealthy last year.

[stormngt]

Looking up Stewarts career stats:  I am impressed.  He had an OPS of:

 

.857 in 2007, .804 in 2008, .785 in 2009, .781 in 2010.

 

Those look like awfully good numbers.  Was he hurt in 2011-2013 or was I missing something?  It says he only played in 67 games in 2013, 55 games in 2012, and 48 games in 2011.  What is his deal?

[ettin]

I'd prefer to see Luis Jimenez platoon with Freese. I like his energy level which I still think is lacking a little (although not nearly as much as the last 3 years have).

[YouthofToday]

Rex was the 18th overall pick in the 1978 draft.

Of course 1st round picks are not sure things. That said, there is a legitimate reason why teams are not willing to sacrifice a 1st round pick to sign Drew and Kendrys + the FA value of others has been hurt so much by having a lost pick associated with the player.

In aggregate, 1st round picks present tremendous value. You should cherish them like many desired My Precious.

[HeavenlyHalos]

Looking up Stewarts career stats:  I am impressed.  He had an OPS of:

 

.857 in 2007, .804 in 2008, .785 in 2009, .781 in 2010.

 

Those look like awfully good numbers.  Was he hurt in 2011-2013 or was I missing something?  It says he only played in 67 games in 2013, 55 games in 2012, and 48 games in 2011.  What is his deal?

 

Those numbers are off. In 2007, he had a .633 OPS in 46 PA. You have the correct stats for 2008-2010, but he didn't have an ML time in 2013 (you posted he played in 63 games). Not sure if he was injured, but my guess is he saw reduced playing time because of a .464 OPS in 139 PA in 2011.

 

http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/stewaia01.shtml

[m0nkey]

The love for ian stewart reminds me when people wanted to play russell branyan more.  Not saying Freese is George Brett, but I don't get the stewart fascination. 

[jsnpritchett]

Looking up Stewarts career stats:  I am impressed.  He had an OPS of:

 

.857 in 2007, .804 in 2008, .785 in 2009, .781 in 2010.

 

Those look like awfully good numbers.  Was he hurt in 2011-2013 or was I missing something?  It says he only played in 67 games in 2013, 55 games in 2012, and 48 games in 2011.  What is his deal?

 

Those numbers were put up while he played for the Rockies.  His OPS+ (compared to league average and adjusted for park factors) from 2008-10 was 98--so slightly below average.

 

His recent major league and minor league numbers have been atrocious--as in catastrophically awful.  That, coupled with numerous instances of him pretty much just being a jackass and having a bad attitude, makes me need a lot more than a few scattered ABs before I'm onboard with him.

[mtangelsfan]

Choosing between Stewart and Freese right now is like having to choose between Jeppy and Salas.

[jshep]

Early candidate for saddest thread of 2014

[Chuck]

nice thread Chuck. 

 

I have been on the secret Stewart bandwagon from the beginning and thought there was a good chance he would displace freese at some point.  Not totally of course, but to a platoon which is what I voted.

 

Stewart struggled early in spring and then warmed up with more at bats.  He cooled off early because of a lack of pt, but I think he will heat up again now that Josh is out. 

 

I actually liked that they kept him out of spring.  I think it gave him the best chance mentally as he's had issues in that realm. 

 

He's a much better defender than Freese as well.  So if they are both going to hit .240, I'd take Stewart every day. 

 

That Freese trade is still a mystery to me.  JD doesn't seem to fare well when trading for an established player.  I still think Bourjos could have gotten us a very good reliever or a pitching prospect and the real tragedy of that trade was not only losing Grichuk but adding Salas.  But what's done is done.  I do agree that there is a good chance that trade means a whole lot of nothing to either party. 

 

 

I've moved on from the trade and I don't think any of us will know how it will pan out for another year or two. 

 

That said, you have to do what is best for your team NOW if you believe that games in April do indeed count toward the end goal of getting to the playoffs. 

 

But yeah, I'm with you. Ian Stewart has intrigued me from the get-go and I was pleased to see him respond well this spring and to see how well he's balanced at the plate. His power is unquestioned, as is his defense. 

[Hollyw00d]

it's like choosing between diarrhea and constipation

[AngelsAndRamsFan]

it's like choosing between diarrhea and constipation

That's an easy choice for me.

[YouthofToday]

It's alarming and ridiculous how many people have given up on Freese with sarcastic comments after such a small sample size.

Although I favor Stewart facing more RH pitchers Freese will be an asset this season.

Edited April 15, 2014 by YouthofToday

[rageous]

It's alarming and ridiculous how many people have given up on Freese with sarcastic comments after such a small sample size.

Although I favor Stewart facing more RH pitchers Freese will be an asset this season.

It's not giving up on him but it's more of who gives the best chance of winning.

Let him get his at bats against lefties to get some confidence.

He just looks terrible out there in all his at bats.

[fan_since79]

If he can't get around on the fastball anymore, he's in trouble.

 

I'll wait a couple months before I opine that he's finished.

 

Platoon him and see what happens.

Edited April 15, 2014 by fan_since79

[bloodbrother]

Choosing between Stewart and Freese right now is like having to choose between Jeppy and Salas.

 

 

That is the sad reality of this team's 3B situation

[Blarg]

No it isn't.

[rageous]

Freese looks terrible out there.

They can't afford to keep putting him out there.

[Guest]

Freese should go down to AAA. He has no redeemable qualities. 

[Homebrewer]

Just changed my vote from platoon to Stewart.

I've seen enough.

[rageous]

Freese looks absolutely lost out there.

Stewards needs to play and Freese needs to sit.

[Chuck]

With each passing day, it becomes clearer. 

 

Platoon these bitches STAT!

[fan_since79]

Freese has two qualities that will keep him firmly stuck in Scioscia's lineup for several more weeks or even months.

 

He's a gritty veteran and a World Series hero.

 

The fact that he can't hit is secondary.

Edited April 15, 2014 by fan_since79