Kolten Wong

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JoeMcKim
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Re: Kolten Wong

Post by JoeMcKim »

Why didn't the Cardinals have Wong be one of the guys they sent to the Arizona Fall League this year?

And do you think the Cardinals aren't going to commit long term to a new 2B just go with guys like Schumaker and Punto the next year or so until Wong is ready to come to the majors and him be the long term solution at 2B?

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Transmogrified Tiger
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Re: Kolten Wong

Post by Transmogrified Tiger »

JoeMcKim wrote:And do you think the Cardinals aren't going to commit long term to a new 2B just go with guys like Schumaker and Punto the next year or so until Wong is ready to come to the majors and him be the long term solution at 2B?
With extremely rare exception(like a Bryce Harper type), I don't think it makes much sense to let the presence/performance of prospects impact your MLB roster if they're below AA. Wong is off to a great start, but with 3 more levels to scale before St. Louis it wouldn't be prudent to shy away from an external, long-term solution just because he hit well(very well) at Quad Cities.

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JoeMcKim
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Re: Kolten Wong

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Well not saying they don't go out and get no one but you're not going to go break the bank on anyone with a 5 year deal or what not.

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Re: Kolten Wong

Post by Fat Strat »

Plus, this is the Cardinals and 2nd base we're talking about. We haven't had a real full-time 2nd basemen for multiple seasons since Fernando Vina.

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Transmogrified Tiger
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Re: Kolten Wong

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JoeMcKim wrote:Well not saying they don't go out and get no one but you're not going to go break the bank on anyone with a 5 year deal or what not.
I think the same thing applies. Wong should not be a part of determining what type of 2B to acquire or how long the team should commit to a 2B. He's not high enough on the ladder to justly influence that decision.

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JoeMcKim
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Re: Kolten Wong

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He'll be on the big league roster by 2013 at the latest and if you really have a good feeling about him then why sign a guy you're going to have to trade away in a year or two if Wong does end up working out. Not saying you don't go out and get somebody, you just don't go and break the banks signing a guy to a multi year deal.

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Transmogrified Tiger
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Re: Kolten Wong

Post by Transmogrified Tiger »

Wong being on the MLB roster in 2013 means mastering 3 levels of the minors in less than 2 years. It's not impossible, and isn't speaking bad of him as a prospect in the slightest. But history is littered with way, way too many guys who raked in Low-A(especially college draftees) that did not continue that success at higher levels to count on him that soon. And since you can't count on him that soon, he shouldn't be altering your decisions on who to bring in for that position. If the team thinks trading for Chase Utley(or whoever) and extending him for 4 years is the best option, Kolten Wong shouldn't stand in the way.

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Felix The Cat
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Re: Kolten Wong

Post by Felix The Cat »

Fangraphs Q&A with Kolten

Interview starts around the 7 minute mark. Some tidbits:

-not satisfied with his current plate discipline, K zone recognition
-played C in high school and CF in college before playing 2B
-considers himself okay defensively at 2B right now and credits Oquendo with helping him learn the nuances of the position

Seems like a humble guy.

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fanforever
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Re: Kolten Wong

Post by fanforever »

Top Prospect Alert ‏@MinorLeagueBlog

#STLCards Kolten Wong is hitting .400 thus far on the Arizona Fall League season. Tied for 4th in the league

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Re: Kolten Wong

Post by Fat Strat »

fanforever wrote:
Top Prospect Alert ‏@MinorLeagueBlog

#STLCards Kolten Wong is hitting .400 thus far on the Arizona Fall League season. Tied for 4th in the league
Cards will love that and make a big deal of it as soon as the season is over. They always make a lot of AFL performances.

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