Lucas Erceg vs. Dallas Carroll - Who'd You Rather?

[clancyphile]

The last two drafts, the Brewers got a pair of third basemen.

 

In 2016, they got Lucas Erceg (https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=erceg-000luc), a highly regarded prospect in the 2nd round.

 

In 2017, Dallas Carroll (https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=carrol000dal) was picked in the 9th round.

 

Erceg seems to be a typical power hitter, bats left-handed, and is rebounding after a rough 2017 after he dominated in 2016.

 

Carroll is somewhat struggling in the early part of 2018, but that "struggling" has him walking more than he strikes out. His OBP is .368 off a .262 batting average. In 2017, he also flashed superb OBP skills, albeit with a bit more power.

 

Which of these 3Bs would you rather have? Erceg and his conventional power approach at the position, or Carroll's very advanced OBP skills?

[And That]

Erceg is by far the better prospect. Better hitting tool, loads more power, and much better defense. He's also a year younger than Carroll and playing a level higher.

 

Carroll is fine as a 2B/3B utility guy. Like you mentioned, he has a knack for getting on base but he doesn't have much pop and his defense is lacking. He has a below-average arm and not a lot of range. His like 98th percentile outcome might be Mark Loretta.

[CheezWizHed]

Why do we need to pick? We have both!

 

But ignoring the specifics on the players and focusing on the "power vs OBP" portion: There is a place for both "types" and certainly need for a balance. So really it depends on what you need to balance the team.

[Jenkins5]

Erceg hands down, younger & more boom to him as ceiling goes. Carroll is your typical college senior sign who hits well at low levels playing above average age. He is closer to Stefan Wilson prospect over everyday MLB guy.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

Clancy, I know you are enamored by OBP guys, but I think Carroll's absolute ceiling is "utility guy". Erceg, on the other hand, profiles as a legit power-hitting 3B.

 

Of course, at one point, Jeff Cirillo profiled as a utility guy too, so who knows.

[homer]

I prefer Jeff Pickler.

[reillymcshane]

I believe Roger Dorn is the 3B answer.

[clancyphile]

Clancy, I know you are enamored by OBP guys, but I think Carroll's absolute ceiling is "utility guy". Erceg, on the other hand, profiles as a legit power-hitting 3B.

 

Of course, at one point, Jeff Cirillo profiled as a utility guy too, so who knows.

 

I really like what I call OBP-plus guys. They have good OBP skills, but they also bring another tool to the mix (speed, high batting average, or power).

 

Carroll, to me, profiled as a Jeff Cirillo type. Good OBP skills, hits doubles, and racks up a good batting average. I expect him to have to adjust to full-season ball, much as Ronnie Gideon did (has anyone noticed Gideon's mashing at Carolina?).

[Boomer5]

Walking a lot in the minors isn’t a skill that translates well to the majors. Developing the hit tool is far more important.