MLB Questions--Any MLB fans help a UK Old Timer

[johnnydrum]

Looking forward to the new MLB season---my 5th year (or 4th) dipping into the MLB (Old fart/ lifelong NHL fan, despite being based in the UK-that fell in love with MLB THE Show 16)
With help from the Game, and annual Lindys Guide, I have grasped the fundementals of the basic statistics, but still have some questions, that may seem more basic (perhaps I am even a bit stupid lol) so wonder if any MLB fans here here can help (tried Twitter but no bugger replied...shheesh! lol)

What decides /detemines on who plays what position?
For instance, what special attributes or skill sets determine a good a 1st Baseman , compared to a 2nd and 3rd Base respectively? (or could anyone play any 3?)
What skill difference would be required between CF/ LF / RF

Sorry if this seems like the most basic /simple/ asinine question.....
I do have others, for a patient reader....lol

All the Best

[IndianSummer]

Re: MLB Questions--Any MLB fans help a UK Old Timer

I would put a speed guy in CF
Your big arm in RF
LF can be just a solid player
3B needs a big arm
SS need ability to cover lots of ground and a big arm
2B needs to cover a lot of ground, his arm is not as important as 3B & SS
1B needs good fielding skills
C defensive skills plus big arm.

Everyone has different views but this is what I look for.
Defense and speed are good things to have.

[johnnydrum]

Re: MLB Questions--Any MLB fans help a UK Old Timer

I would put a speed guy in CF
Your big arm in RF
LF can be just a solid player
3B needs a big arm
SS need ability to cover lots of ground and a big arm
2B needs to cover a lot of ground, his arm is not as important as 3B & SS
1B needs good fielding skills
C defensive skills plus big arm.

Everyone has different views but this is what I look for.
Defense and speed are good things to have.

Oh THANK YOU so much!

So I realize that the S/S needs to be most athletic--hence they are very valuable and I understand that its a difficult position to play (as balls are generally headed in between the 2nd & 3rd (is this something to with most people are right handed, so naturally, a Righthanded Batter will swat the ball to the left?)....Have I got that right?

So 1st needs good fielding skills to snag those line drives, -and rapidly throw to 2nd?
3rd needs a big arm to get the ball to Home Plate?

CF I imagine will cover a LOT of area?

[Funkycorm]

Re: MLB Questions--Any MLB fans help a UK Old Timer

Everyone starts somewhere. A lot of us have the advantage of playing the game 20-30 years ago in our youth and have kids now that play.

I won't go into the defensive aspects as the above poster did. I will share my philosophy of specific positions when it comes to offense pairing with what was mentioned above.

CF: to pair with the speed and range, I want my CF to be a solid contact guy and base stealer.

Your corner IF and OF (1b, 3b, LF, RF) are usually more power guys.

Your C can vary but tend be more balanced. Decent at both but they are there for their defense anyway.

Your middle IF (2b, SS) tend to be your wild cards. Meaning as long as they possess the fielding described above, they can be power, contact, or whatever. I tend to make my SS more contact as they tend to be faster and my 2b a bit more average in those areas.

There are varying opinions are how to build a good team and there is no single right answer.

Also to note: many 1b can play 3b. Most SS also can be strong 2b. RF make solid LF as well but you want your RF still to have a strong and accurate arm.

Hope this gives some insight on how I make a team. If I get a chance I will go through my 2028 Indians and detail the players to give you a better idea.

[Funkycorm]

Re: MLB Questions--Any MLB fans help a UK Old Timer

Oh THANK YOU so much!

So I realize that the S/S needs to be most athletic--hence they are very valuable and I understand that its a difficult position to play (as balls are generally headed in between the 2nd & 3rd (is this something to with most people are right handed, so naturally, a Righthanded Batter will swat the ball to the left?)....Have I got that right?

So 1st needs good fielding skills to snag those line drives, -and rapidly throw to 2nd?
3rd needs a big arm to get the ball to Home Plate?

CF I imagine will cover a LOT of area?

1b needs fielding skills to dig bad throws from the dirt, throw to second, etc.

3b and SS need need stronger accurate arms to make throws to first.

CF needs speed. Arm strength can be ok because the speed and reaction time is more important.

[johnnydrum]

Re: MLB Questions--Any MLB fans help a UK Old Timer

Everyone starts somewhere. A lot of us have the advantage of playing the game 20-30 years ago in our youth and have kids now that play.

Thank You!
A great help and some good revision!

[Caulfield]

Re: MLB Questions--Any MLB fans help a UK Old Timer

...So I realize that the S/S needs to be most athletic--hence they are very valuable and I understand that its a difficult position to play (as balls are generally headed in between the 2nd & 3rd (is this something to with most people are right handed, so naturally, a Righthanded Batter will swat the ball to the left?)....Have I got that right?

correctamundo

So 1st needs good fielding skills to snag those line drives, -and rapidly throw to 2nd?
3rd needs a big arm to get the ball to Home Plate?

CF I imagine will cover a LOT of area?

really, the most important part of a firstbaseman's fielding skills are in covering bunts, and scooping throws out of the dirt from the other fielders. a 1Bman may usually, but not always, have the weakest arm on the team. and thats alright

the 3Bman needs a strong arm to make the long throw to first, especially against speedy hitters




off-topic, I love Lindys though this years guide I was dismayed to read in there they think Commish Manferd is doing a good job :headshake:

good luck and happy baseball

[johnnydrum]

Re: MLB Questions--Any MLB fans help a UK Old Timer

correctamundo
off-topic, I love Lindys though this years guide I was dismayed to read in there they think Commish Manferd is doing a good job :headshake:
good luck and happy baseball

Bravo!!!
Thank you!

Aye, yes indeed, Lindys is a nice, easy, accessible read.
I buy it every year --normally along with the Baseball Prospectus --but the latter is impossible to find this year over here (Amazon.uk, eBay etc)

[munsonfan]

Re: MLB Questions--Any MLB fans help a UK Old Timer

Here are a few more things to consider that seem important. Some may seem obvious, but I am including them to give a more complete picture.

Those who play 3B, SS, and 2B always throw with their right hands. (A few lefthanded throwers have appeared at those positions, but it is so awkward for lefthanders to make throws to 1B from those positions that it almost never happens.)

Lefthanded throwers have an advantage when playing 1B because it is easier for them to apply a tag when holding a runner on first base.

Catchers have long been righthanded throwers as well, although there really is no truly sound theory for why a lefthanded throwers are never allowed to play catcher.

To be a really good fielder at 1B and 3B, a player needs a quick first step and excellent reflexes, but generally doesn't need much foot speed. While shortstops and second baseman actually have time to run a fair distance to get to many balls, corner infielders (1B & 3B), who are usually positioned much closer to the batter, rarely have the time to take more than two or three steps before the ball reaches them.

While the rigors of the position are partly to blame, catchers generally lack speed. However, the best defensive catchers pair the strong arm that has already been mentioned with agility and quickness. These traits are need to be truly effective at blocking wild pitches and pitches in the dirt and to make plays on bunts and other hits that do not travel far from home plate.

[Jolly Roger]

Re: MLB Questions--Any MLB fans help a UK Old Timer

Ahh, I love to see it. I lived in Sussex for a year as a uni exchange student about 15 years ago, wonderful times.

I'm the opposite of you, I'm an American who likes cricket. I bet coming from a cricket country it would be difficult to conceive why MLB would want to limit where the fielders position themselves. Would love to see a slips cordon in baseball, haha.

[Funkycorm]

Re: MLB Questions--Any MLB fans help a UK Old Timer

Since I mentioned I would, I will give a quick breakdown of my 2028 Indians and how I build a team so you can see what I like to focus on. I do tend to build my lineup old school as I want speed in my top 2 spots and want my best power hitters to be 3-5.

Hit/throw

CF great speed, good contact, below average power, good outfield range and fielding, decent arm, S/R

SS good speed, above average contact, average power, great fielding and arm strength, S/R

LF great power, above average contact, average speed, average fielding and arm L/L

3B great power, above average contact, ok speed, great fielding and great arm (was my 1b till this season), R/R

1B good power, good contact, above average fielding, ok arm, R/R

RF: good power, ok contact, average speed, average fielding, best arm in OF, L/L

DH best player not starting hitting wise, R/R

C average contact and power, good arm, great blocking and defense, L/R

2B above average contact, average power, average speed, good fielding, average arm, R/R


I did it this way to highlight my hitting order but to also show what I value. It is 2028 so these are all fictional homegrown talent or traded for prospects.

[johnnydrum]

Re: MLB Questions--Any MLB fans help a UK Old Timer

Here are a few more things to consider that seem important. Some may seem obvious, but I am including them to give a more complete picture.

Those who play 3B, SS, and 2B always throw with their right hands. (A few lefthanded throwers have appeared at those positions, but it is so awkward for lefthanders to make throws to 1B from those positions that it almost never happens.)

Lefthanded throwers have an advantage when playing 1B because it is easier for them to apply a tag when holding a runner on first base.

Catchers have long been righthanded throwers as well, although there really is no truly sound theory for why a lefthanded throwers are never allowed to play catcher.

To be a really good fielder at 1B and 3B, a player needs a quick first step and excellent reflexes, but generally doesn't need much foot speed. While shortstops and second baseman actually have time run a fair distance to get to many balls, corner infielders (1B & 3B), who are usually positioned much closer to the batter, rarely have the time to take more than a two or three steps before the ball reaches them.

While the rigors of the position are partly to blame, catchers generally lack speed. However, the best defensive catchers pair the strong arm that has already been mentioned with agility and quickness. These traits are need to be truly effective at blocking wild pitches and pitches in the dirt and to make plays on bunts and other hits that do not travel far from home plate.

Thank you so much for this....!!

[johnnydrum]

Re: MLB Questions--Any MLB fans help a UK Old Timer

Ahh, I love to see it. I lived in Sussex for a year as a uni exchange student about 15 years ago, wonderful times.

I'm the opposite of you, I'm an American who likes cricket. I bet coming from a cricket country it would be difficult to conceive why MLB would want to limit where the fielders position themselves. Would love to see a slips cordon in baseball, haha.

Thank You, and I am delighted to hear that you had such a good time in this great little Island...
The NHL has been my lifelong obsession, so I thank your nation for nicking our sports, and making them into amazing entertaining leagues!

[johnnydrum]

Re: MLB Questions--Any MLB fans help a UK Old Timer

Since I mentioned I would, I will give a quick breakdown of my 2028 Indians and how I build a team so you can see what I like to focus on. I do tend to build my lineup old school as I want speed in my top 2 spots and want my best power hitters to be 3-5.

Hit/throw

CF great speed, good contact, below average power, good outfield range and fielding, decent arm, S/R

SS good speed, above average contact, average power, great fielding and arm strength, S/R

LF great power, above average contact, average speed, average fielding and arm L/L

3B great power, above average contact, ok speed, great fielding and great arm (was my 1b till this season), R/R

1B good power, good contact, above average fielding, ok arm, R/R

RF: good power, ok contact, average speed, average fielding, best arm in OF, L/L

DH best player not starting hitting wise, R/R

C average contact and power, good arm, great blocking and defense, L/R

2B above average contact, average power, average speed, good fielding, average arm, R/R


I did it this way to highlight my hitting order but to also show what I value. It is 2028 so these are all fictional homegrown talent or traded for prospects.

Again, please accept my sincerest thanks....you have been an amaing help

[johnnydrum]

Re: MLB Questions--Any MLB fans help a UK Old Timer

Thank you all so much...I am delighted with the response...and they have been a huge help.
I asked these questions via Twitter and no-one offered any explanations lol

May I ask some further?
I have been watching and reading about the amazing Shohei Ohtani --
I understand that he is rather unique in that he is a two way player and that one in every five (or so games) he is the Angels Starting Pitcher, right?
So, may I ask, on days where he is Pitching, does he also Bat, or on Pitching days is he given a rest at the plate?

Last time I was this engaged with the MLB, (pre Pandemic) Brewers Christain Yelich (another favourite) was MVP esque---so imagine my surprise popping back 2 years later to see his 2020-21 Stats.
Intrigued I read about his struggles , in particular "barell rate":
Can anyone explain what they mean barrel rate eg: "Yelich`s "plummeting barrel rate"- and what can the player do to correct this?

Thank you again so much.
Johnny