Korry Howell vs. Brice Turang

[clancyphile]

The Brewers could have two good shortstops from the 2018 draft.

 

We all know about Brice Turang, the 1st round pick who got $3.5 million, but Korry Howell is showing some elite speed, and he also seems to hit for average as well.

 

Howell: .311/.398/.350 - .748 OPS, 12 for 16 in SB, and 14 BB in 103 ABs for AZL Brewers

Turang: .283/.396/.352 - .748 OPS, 14 for 16 in SB, and 31 BB in 159 ABs between AZL Brewers and Helena Brewers

 

At this point, which of these players should the Brewers think about moving to another position (CF, 2B), especially as both seem to be programmed for Wisconsin this year? Both players have moved from shortstop - Howell has played some third base, Turang some at second base.

 

Howell does seem to be a pure speedster with a good hit-for-average tool and solid OBP skills, with very little power. Turang has a little more pop, good speed, but his batting average was 28 points lower than Howell's, albeit compensated for by superb OBP skills.

 

It's a nice dilemma to have for the Crew down the road...

[wildcat2237]

I like both Howell and Turang.

 

However, neither is likely to hit for power.

 

As a result, I keep them both at SS. Maybe later on one moves to second, but not until at least High-A.

[Kelbysdaddy]

I started to read this thinking “bunch of stats about a newer prospect that I haven’t really heard of compared to our latest first round pick” and immediately knew who wrote it. I appreciate your insight on prospects that fly under the radar Clancy. Look forward to seeing if either of these kids work out.

[3and2Fastball]

1st Round pick $$$ vs 12th Round pick. Turang will have to prove he can't play. Howell will have to prove he can. It is just the way it is

[jerichoholicninja]

I can't see which position two guys who haven't played a game above rookie ball will play is much of a concern right now. Especially when one of them is a first round pick. It will almost certainly work itself out in a couple years.

[Eye Black]

Conventional wisdom would say if you have a player that can cut it as shortstop in professional baseball you should continue to get him reps at the position until his performance says otherwise. The players referenced are more than a year apart in age, I don’t think staggering their progression through the system would be that difficult if it proves necessary.

[Jenkins5]

As of now I assume Turang will remain level ahead of Howell so you have to worry about SS reps. Howell will continue to grow versatility by playing all over diamond & build worth there. Turang messed with his swing his senior to add power and caused him to struggle a bit more for a guy all scouts had been saying is top player in class since he was a freshman. However, there is a reason he was talked like that & he showed that last year in pros. To me he is Trae Turner & like Trae, power may never be big part of game but that’s fine.

 

Howell is intriguing but as of right now like said above... Turang has to prove he can’t hit & Howell has to excel. If not Turang will always have the prestige

[homer]

Howell is a year older than Turang for what it's worth.

[CheeseheadInQC]

And even if they are both in Wisconsin next year, neither might be the best defensive shortstop on the roster (Antonio Pinero).

 

I think there might only be four spots for 2nd/ss/3rd, and it seems Turang and Coca are locks with Pinero, Howell and Julio Garcia as the other options.

[ClosetBrewerFan]

I'd be surprised to see Howell skip a level. Maybe he starts in WI but then goes to CS when the short season begins. But the Brewers have plenty of infielders to cover WI. Its great to know about his strong speed skill. I had no idea he was that fast. At worst, could make for a good utility infielder. So it would be good to have him take reps at many different positions.

[OnTheBlack]

Conventional wisdom would say if you have a player that can cut it as shortstop in professional baseball you should continue to get him reps at the position until his performance says otherwise. The players referenced are more than a year apart in age, I don’t think staggering their progression through the system would be that difficult if it proves necessary.

 

Right, they're young, they haven't yet hit full-season ball yet, and one of them was talked about as the potential top pick in the draft(though from now until next year there will be probably 30 guys who scouts speculate "could" be the top pick in the draft).

[Eye Black]

It’s probably worth noting in this thread that according to the Fangraphs prospect write-up for Korry Howell, “several scouts think he ends up in center field.”

[CheezWizHed]

Whew! I'm glad this wasn't an ill-advised cage match. No conflict needed. Turang starts at A ball SS and Howell at R+. If you are changing your prospects to fit your development system, you ara doing it wrong. Play your prospects at the highest defensive value position until they prove that they can't do it at the MLB level.

[foamboy1]

Clancy is always mining his nuggets. Love it.

[clancyphile]

Clancy is always mining his nuggets. Love it.

 

Haven't seen you around in a while, foamboy1! Hope all is well!

[foamboy1]

Always lurking....love your style. Don't always agree, but your passion and energy to prove you point is energizing.

[clancyphile]

Always lurking....love your style. Don't always agree, but your passion and energy to prove you point is energizing.

 

Check out my new thread on the guy we got from the Mets compared to someone we already had...

 

Would love your take on Vargas...