Trevor Plouffe's play in ST?

[Kirby_waved_at_me]

As you may or may not recall, Trevor had an abrupt end to last season when his forearm was broken in a play at third base, which led to him having surgery on the arm in the offseason.

 

I've looked at stats and recaps, etc., but I'm curious to hear from people that are seeing him play and practice in Fort Myers - is he recovered from that injury? Is he hitting the ball well?

 

I know he also had an oblique injury this spring as well. With Sano already sent to minor league camp, does that make Eduardo Escobar the guy that will play if Plouffe is not ready?

 

Any reason for concern here for Plouffe or does he seem good to go for Opening Day?

[Halsey Hall]

You really don't want my answer.

[nicksaviking]

 

You really don't want my answer.

 

Yes.

 

I like Plouffe, but tend to think he's merely an average player who happens to play a position with a significant decline in offense the past half decade.  I'll only be bummed about any negative observations because I'd like to keep that inflated trade value up.

[James]

When I saw Plouffe on Saturday, he made a few nice defensive plays including one perfectly timed jump to steal a hit away from an unlucky Oriole.  From what I could see, his defense seemed to be back up to where it was previously. 

 

I probably wasn't paying close enough attention to really give any real analysis of his hitting.  I seem to remember him in a extended battle at the plate where he fouled off a bunch of pitches.  So, he was at least doing that on Saturday.

[stringer bell]

 

When I saw Plouffe on Saturday, he made a few nice defensive plays including one perfectly timed jump to steal a hit away from an unlucky Oriole.  From what I could see, his defense seemed to be back up to where it was previously. 

 

I probably wasn't paying close enough attention to really give any real analysis of his hitting.  I seem to remember him in a extended battle at the plate where he fouled off a bunch of pitches.  So, he was at least doing that on Saturday.

I think he went well into double digits on that plate appearance, he ended up taking a questionable called third.  Plouffe looks okay, but I suppose there is a reason to be a bit concerned since he finished the last season injured.

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

I like Plouffe, but tend to think he's merely an average player who happens to play a position with a significant decline in offense the past half decade.

Isn't that true most of the time, though? Third base is probably the most underappreciated position on the field.

 

But more to your point, I think Trevor's WAR is inflated by a particular lack of quality third baseman right now (but it's not terribly uncommon at the position, IMO). He's a decent player, the kind of guy who fills out a good roster as the seventh or eighth best position player.

[Seth Stohs]

He's healthy.

[Kirby_waved_at_me]

Right on - thanks everyone!

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

But more to your point, I think Trevor's WAR is inflated by a particular lack of quality third baseman right now

His WAR rank, maybe.  His actual WAR isn't really affected that much by the current level of third base talent.  B-Ref's "positional adjustment" hasn't really changed since 2000:

http://www.baseball-reference.com/about/war_explained_position.shtml

 

His fielding is compared to the average fielding of third basemen across the league, although I don't imagine that varies too much.

[Mike Sixel]

Average players.....those are valuable players. If the Twins had average players at all three (one?) OF positions, we'd be thrilled right now.