Spiezio at 2b

[Fat Strat]

I've noticed that Spiezio has played significantly more at 2b than he did last year or last spring. What's everyone think about this? I've well documented Kennedy's struggles against LHP, but in case you missed it over the winter, here are the #'s again.

Code: Select all

Adam Kennedy
         BA   OBP   SLG   OPS
career .255  .312  .340  .652
2006   .193  .256  .277  .533 
(83 ab's)

Aaron Miles
career .271  .336  .348  .684 
2006   .291  .378  .360  .738 
(86 ab's)

Scott Spiezio
career .257  .329  .375  .704 
2006   .318  .372  .365  .737 
(85 ab's)

Kennedy is the worst against LHP's, which isn't surprising. He's the only true left-handed hitter of the group. Of the other two, Spiezio has the best all around production in his career and in '06.

La Russa had mentioned earlier in the offseason that Kennedy will likely be in a semi-platoon situation, where he sits against lefties. It was assumed that Miles would get the lion's share of his ab's, but now I'm starting to wonder. If Spiezio can have a good showing defensively at 2b this spring, he might be able to steal a start or two during the season.

I know that the likely response will be, "but, Kennedy's the everyday starter." Well, do you really want 533 OPS out there against lefties? I don't.

[valley_card22]

Spiezo is playing 2b in ST because well, there arent a lot of others who can. Plus if you are trying to get abs for your lot of OFers and have Rolen and AP get work their isnt much chance for Spiezo other then 2b or DH to get ABS.

[Fan_In_NY]

He also could be playing a lot of 2B because of Kennedy and Eck being limited in spring training. Since Speezer is assured of a spot on the team, Tony would rather keep him out of the OF right now to get a better look at what players might have a chance of making the team out of camp if Edmonds or Encarn start on the DL. Also Rolen likes seeing his pitches at 3B and the openings in the MI spot right now makes it the best place for Spezio to play. He's not really taking time away there from anyone who has a shot at making the club. That being said, having the ability to play 2B again will make him more valuable.

[Fat Strat]

He also could be playing a lot of 2B because of Kennedy and Eck being limited in spring training.

I know that's the reason why he's getting time there. What I'm saying is that it could lead to something more during the season. Last year Spiez's played only 8 games there, despite no legit 2b'man.

What I'm suggesting is that the playing time Spiezio is getting at 2nd might earn him some playing time there during the season, which imo, would be an improvement over our likely depth chart.

[JL21]

I know that the likely response will be, "but, Kennedy's the everyday starter." Well, do you really want 533 OPS out there against lefties? I don't.

Well, the .533 was in 83 AB's last year. For his career, it's a much healthier (though still ugly) .652.

But more importantly, my response isn't at all "Kennedy's the everyday starter". I'm not at all opposed to sitting Kennedy against the occasional LHP. I AM opposed to sticking a corner OFer/1B skill set at 2B. Speizio has no business playing 2B as anything more than an emergency sub.

And let's not forget- Scott Speizio was an offensive wreck for several years before he came here. I'm not sold that 2006 wasn't a fluke, or a product of well-placed playing time in favorable matchups.

[Socnorb11]

I'm actually on board with Fat. Speizio has played more games at 2nd base in his career than he has at any other position, other than 1st base. It's not like you'd be putting Encarncion at 2nd base. Spezio is capable.

And, we're not talking about putting him out there every day, or for 9 innings every day. I wouldn't be opposed to starting him against lefties, and then bringing in a defensive sub in the 6th inning.

[JL21]

I'm actually on board with Fat. Speizio has played more games at 2nd base in his career than he has at any other position, other than 1st base.

Unless baseball-reference is wrong, he's played more games at 1B than anywhere else. (EDIT: sorry about that- I missed the 'other than first base' part).
More importantly, 300 of the 312 games he's played at 2B came before 2000. Since then, he's got a grand total of 38 innings there. He's not the same player he was at age 25 and 26. Even younger, he was misplaced as a 2B. He came up as a 3B, shifted and played 2 years at 2B, and then started getting lots of AB's in the outfield and at DH.

It's not like you'd be putting Encarncion at 2nd base. Spezio is capable.

I'd actually trust Encarnacion more there. Much more there. He's got more range. But the notion of either, as anything more than an emergency, is kind of silly. Both belong in the corners.

[Socnorb11]

I'd actually trust Encarnacion more there. Much more there. He's got more range. But the notion of either, as anything more than an emergency, is kind of silly. Both belong in the corners.

Almost as silly as making a starter out of Looper?

Larussa is unconventional. I enjoy that......

[Fat Strat]

But the notion of either, as anything more than an emergency, is kind of silly.

There's a lot in baseball that's silly. Aaron Miles started 20+ games at 2nd against lefties would be one of them. Kennedy starting games against lefties is pretty silly, imo. Kennedy has 2 seasons with an OPS over 700 against lefties. He has 2 seasons with an OPS under 600 against lefties.

Just don't be surprised if Spiezio sees more significant time at 2nd than he saw last season.

[cards2468]

let's not forget, being with the Cardinals, a very fundamental team defensively, Spezio has had the luxury of working with Oquendo and others to refine his defense, he could be a very capable 2b. It's not like we're looking into him as an everyday starter