Thread: Article: Position Analysis: Third Base

I'm optimistic on Plouffe. His power surge last year was one the very best bright spots in a dismal season, and I see no reason why he can't hit another 25 or so HRs this year. His positional stability will be pretty key to this, I think.

Originally Posted by 70charger

I'm optimistic on Plouffe. His power surge last year was one the very best bright spots in a dismal season, and I see no reason why he can't hit another 25 or so HRs this year. His positional stability will be pretty key to this, I think.

The one thing to keep an eye on though will be if he can stay healthy.
The wrist injury was flukish, and it is FAR too early to call him injury prone, hopefully its just been a small sample size of bad luck, but still something to watch, IMO.

It is fair to criticize Trevor Plouffe, but it is also not out of line to be optimistic about his potential future production. My gut feeling is that after the 2013 season, Trevor Plouffe will have a title attached to his name - ALL-STAR.

Originally Posted by Mr. Brooks

The wrist injury was flukish.

It really wasn't. He's had an issue with that thumb in the minors as well. Hopefully, the training staff can get this one right and it doesn't impact him going forward.

Originally Posted by Badsmerf

It really wasn't. He's had an issue with that thumb in the minors as well. Hopefully, the training staff can get this one right and it doesn't impact him going forward.

Wasnt it from getting hit by a pitch?

Originally Posted by fairweather

I'm not saying Plouffe can't move laterally I'm saying last season there were many times that I seen a hard hit ball in Trevor's vicinity and it would get by him because he's standing flat footed and straight up and down. Obviously the guy was a SS and he has the ability to move laterally but is more or less being lazy on defense.

I don't think it's laziness, I think it has to do with the reaction time needed to play third base. A lot of guys have a hard time being 15 feet closer to the plate, playing a position where the ball is often scorched at the defender, and a position where it's harder to see the ball coming off the bat against righties.

Can Plouffe adjust to that? Dunno.

I wonder how often teams would bunt, successfully, if Plouffe were allowed to play further back. I suspect it wouldn't be that much.

Originally Posted by Lesser Dali

It is fair to criticize Trevor Plouffe, but it is also not out of line to be optimistic about his potential future production. My gut feeling is that after the 2013 season, Trevor Plouffe will have a title attached to his name - ALL-STAR.

Over Longoria, Cabrera, Beltre, Lowrie and Middlebrooks...all of whom will still be in the AL next year playing 3B? Unlikely