Can Andy LaRoche play 2nd Base?

…LaRoche might or might not be tolerable, depending on exactly how bad of defense there you’re willing to tolerate. He’s been basically a neutral defender at 3B thus far, and for a typical player, that’d translate to something in the neighborhood of a -10 glove at 2B (Caveat: Big error bar on that estimate. It’s a median result – you could see anything from a neutral outcome to a -20 or worse for any one individual player making the switch, without it being too surprising.)

Personally, I don’t think he looks or moves like a 2B, so I’m skeptical about it as an alternative, and I agree with the prior two posters that there really isn’t any “logjam” until Walker proves that he can hit and/or Alvarez proves that he can field.

The other two are both at least 1 1/2 years away, in my estimation. I’m shocked that Pedro can’t hit high-A pitching , but a breakout should come soon with his talent hopefully.

we probably are trading Snachez by the deadline. He might be able t play 2nd. Alverez might be moved to 1st, but as long as A LaRoche is on the team, he and Alvarez are going to battle it out. Neil Walker needs to start hitting or try to get a team that wants a “prospect” to give us a prospect or a ok veteran that is cheap

The chances are slim and none, and slim just left town.

…if you go back in the Pirates archive when we got L’il Luigi, there was at least one article indicating that he’d be moved to second. The story noted that he had played seven or so minor league games at second last season. At that time, the thought was that Freddy would not return to his batting title ways.

Andy did play some games at 2nd in the minors, but only 8. That’s not really good enough. He also played 7 games at each corner outfield position, but I wouldn’t consider moving him to either of those places.

At any rate, his bat as of RIGHT NOW profiles better as a second baseman, but like I said earlier, he’s flashing good gap and line drive power, which usually becomes home run power for young players. He probably will never be a 35 homer guy, but 20-25 per year in coming seasons isn’t out of the question. If he keeps hitting for plenty of extra bases like he’s doing, those 10 extra homers won’t be missed as much as one would think. Especially with the plate discipline he’s shown.

I always compare Andy LaRoche to Kevin Youkilis. Neither of them are typical corner infielders. Up until last year, Youkilis never even scratched the surface of 30 homers, but he was still incredibly valuable because of his high walk rate and extra base power. That’s the same kind of player Andy LaRoche is right now. He, too, will probably develop some decent home run pop in coming years, making him a poor man’s Youkilis, which certainly isn’t a bad thing to have.

At any rate, Andy makes an average defensive third baseman, but I don’t think he’d do so well at second. I’d rather see Walker move there if he can make it to the bigs, because I think he has better defensive ability than Andy. Alvarez I’m not worried about at all. He’s a 3B prospect the same way Jim Thome was.

2 home runs is equally low at second base, as well. Only two regular players at the position have 2 home runs, and only 4 have less. And one of the 2Bs with 2 is Dustin Pedroia, who has shown homer ability in the past.

If Andy is more than league-average at any position, he will develop more power.

I agree Andy should move to second when Alvarez gets the call. Plus, I’d put Moss at first when Adam is traded. We need a power bat for the outfield. Tabata could be that guy. But, I think I would trade somebody for a Jeremy Hermida. An outfield with Tabata in Left, McCutchen in Center and possibly Hermida if traded. I’d live that. An infield with Moss at First, Andy at Second, I’d resign Freddy at Shortstop or put Delwyn Young there, Alvarez at Third. Now if Walker improves hitting more consistently then move him to Third, he plays great D. Put Alvarez in the outfield. It was done with Ryan Braun. An outfield with Tabata Mcutchen, and Alvarez. Now, this is if they can’t get a power bat for the outfield. And Walker doesn’t hit consistently. My future lineup: CF-McCutchen, SS-Young, C-Doumit, RF-Alvarez, LF-Tabata, 2B- LaRoche, 1B-Moss, 3B-Walker. Starting Rotation Lincoln, Duke, Ohlendorf, Maholm and Gorzelanny. Bullpen: Closer-Matt Capps, Craig Hansen, Donald Veal, Evan Meek, Sean Burnett, Michael Dubee, Daniel Moskos and Jesse Chavez. Bench would include Eric Hinske, Craig Monroe, Ramon Vazquez, Nyjer Morgan and Jason Jaramillo as the Backup Catcher, he’s proven he deserves the chance. With top ten prospects including,Gorkys Hernandez, Robbie Grossman, Jarek Cunningham, Quinton Miller, Bryan Morris, Chase D’Anuard, Jordy Mercer, Jeff Locke, Bryan Morris and Tony Sanchez. Now, if Snell gets traded to Colorado I may have to change this, if the prospects or players are ready. Plus, Adam LaRoche, Jack Wilson, Freddy Sanchez, John Grabow and Tyler Yates get traded. If management heads in this direction we could talk about the real “City of Champions”. At least it would feel more complete with Buccos winning.