FanPost

Mid-2013: Neil Walker to Right Field?

Or, is this just another excuse for me to pick the BD community's brains about Brock Holt!?

Freed from the clutches of 'Toona, Holt! is now hitting .423 with an 1.023 OPS at AAA. The box scores tell me that he's spending time at both 2B and SS. It's been written here before that he's unlikely to stick at SS, and he profiles best as a utility type. However, his offensive numbers continue to separate him from the D'Arnaud's and the Ciriaco's (how are we winning without him?...<sigh>.........not) of the world. It's time to start thinking about how he might fit among the Zoltans.

"But wait! I clicked on this FanPost to read about this jagoff's stupid idea about Neil Walker!", Put down your pitchforks and keep reading.

Sure, Walker's super-valuable as a 2B with good power. His defensive strides have been a pleasure to watch. He's been impressively durable.

He's also getting older. (I know, I know, he's not even 27 yet.) He will soon become more expensive. He has a history of getting tossed into a new position at the whim of management. I hate to bring PR into this, but to trade the hometown boy before he McLouth's would erupt the fanbase, even if NH brought home the '27 Yankees.

So what do we do? We put Walker in right field, where we can hope that he continues to develop power and stick Brock Holt! at second base.

Quick! Somebody with a computer tell me if Walker's ISO supports my assumption that he's got more power on the way, STAT! Still have that computer in front of you? Great- I'd like to know the difference in relative value between 1) Having a Walker-esque second baseman and someone like AP or Tabata in right, versus 2) Putting Walker in RF and starting Brock Holt! at 2B.

If you're still reading this, thanks for appreciating a little bit of snark. I look forward to your comments. I'm outta here!

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