Improve Moustakas' defense by putting him at SS

[CheezWizHed]

With all the talk of shifts and defensive positioning, this idea came to me while reading about Moustakas' range at 2B.

 

When we have a left-handed batter (or anytime we have a higher likelihood of hitting the ball to the 2B side), why not simply swap Arcia and Moose defensively? Normally, your 2B doesn't have a strong arm, but Moose is normally a 3B, so that shouldn't be an issue.

 

You can use two shorter-range players (Shaw/Moose) to cover the left side of the infield while letting Arcia manage the area where the ball is more likely to be hit. This is also a "shift-rule" proof solution also if they would implement a rule like that in the future (granted, not this year...)

[Pugger]

Do you feel Arcia will succeed at 2nd?

[CheezWizHed]

Do you feel Arcia will succeed at 2nd?

 

Do you think Moustakas would be better?

 

Beyond the "click bait" part of my title, the main point was to put Arcia in a position to field a higher percentage of balls than anyone else on our infield.

 

90% of Arcia's value is in his defense. So I'm advocating that with an infield of Shaw, Arcia, Moose, and Aguilar/Thames, I'd put Arcia wherever the metrics say he will get the most balls. Among those 5 players, he is by far the best defender at SS/2B. And probably 3B/1B too.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

Do you feel Arcia will succeed at 2nd?

 

Do you think Moustakas would be better?

 

Beyond the "click bait" part of my title, the main point was to put Arcia in a position to field a higher percentage of balls than anyone else on our infield.

 

90% of Arcia's value is in his defense. So I'm advocating that with an infield of Shaw, Arcia, Moose, and Aguilar/Thames, I'd put Arcia wherever the metrics say he will get the most balls. Among those 5 players, he is by far the best defender at SS/2B. And probably 3B/1B too.

 

This makes sense. I fear it will lead to more Aguilar at 3B theories, though

[FVBrewerFan]

With all the talk of shifts and defensive positioning, this idea came to me while reading about Moustakas' range at 2B.

 

When we have a left-handed batter (or anytime we have a higher likelihood of hitting the ball to the 2B side), why not simply swap Arcia and Moose defensively? Normally, your 2B doesn't have a strong arm, but Moose is normally a 3B, so that shouldn't be an issue.

 

You can use two shorter-range players (Shaw/Moose) to cover the left side of the infield while letting Arcia manage the area where the ball is more likely to be hit. This is also a "shift-rule" proof solution also if they would implement a rule like that in the future (granted, not this year...)

 

I feel they may have tried this at times, I know other teams have. Makes a lot of sense to put Arcia in shallow OF where the ball is most likely to be hit. When they use the extreme shifts traditional positions really dont matter.

[coolhandluke121]

I seem to remember Arcia playing on the other side of 2B a few times. They believe in everything being completely fluid in terms of where to put all 3 of their infielders (1B's don't have a choice; they have to play near the bag by rule). With guys like Perez and Villar at 2B, it wasn't an issue, but with Moose or Shaw there, I'm sure we'll see it more.

[502 to Right]

I like this idea.

[clancyphile]

Moustakas does have some professional time at shortstop...

 

I suggested putting him in there for a "super-jumbo" package if you wanted to maximize power. Or just to give Arcia a day off...

[jerichoholicninja]

When you're shifting, the traditional naming of positions is pointless. I believe Shaw was playing the "SS" position a bunch of times prior to getting Moose.

[OnTheBlack]

Moustakas does have some professional time at shortstop...

 

I suggested putting him in there for a "super-jumbo" package if you wanted to maximize power. Or just to give Arcia a day off...

 

 

Ok, the premise of this is to put Moose there JUST during shifts as you're asking the guy who's playing in shallow right to cover the most ground. Am I to understand that YOU'RE honestly suggesting that we just start Moose at SS instead of Arcia all together and NOT just on shifts?

 

I think the OP's idea is logical and makes sense. I think starting with Moose at Short, Shaw at 3rd, Aguilar at 1st and I don't know, Hirura for instance at 2nd would be a worse idea than starting Kotsay in CF for a playoff game.

[OnTheBlack]

Do you feel Arcia will succeed at 2nd?

 

Do you think Moustakas would be better?

 

Beyond the "click bait" part of my title, the main point was to put Arcia in a position to field a higher percentage of balls than anyone else on our infield.

 

90% of Arcia's value is in his defense. So I'm advocating that with an infield of Shaw, Arcia, Moose, and Aguilar/Thames, I'd put Arcia wherever the metrics say he will get the most balls. Among those 5 players, he is by far the best defender at SS/2B. And probably 3B/1B too.

 

This makes sense. I fear it will lead to more Aguilar at 3B theories, though

 

 

I tend to miss quite a bit and post here more in bursts...but this isn't actually a commonly suggested idea, is it? I'd honestly prefer just moving Braun to 3rd at that point....and even as I say that, I'm not sure if that should be in blue or not!

 

Aguilar is a nice defender....FOR a 300 pound guy and IF the ball is hit right at him. He's certainly not a guy you want to see playing 3rd base unless it's an emergency.

[502 to Right]

I'm all for positioning your best infielder in the hotspot of a hitter's ground ball chart--no matter where on the field that might be.

[Thurston Fluff]

Do you feel Arcia will succeed at 2nd?

 

Do you think Moustakas would be better?

 

Beyond the "click bait" part of my title, the main point was to put Arcia in a position to field a higher percentage of balls than anyone else on our infield.

 

90% of Arcia's value is in his defense. So I'm advocating that with an infield of Shaw, Arcia, Moose, and Aguilar/Thames, I'd put Arcia wherever the metrics say he will get the most balls. Among those 5 players, he is by far the best defender at SS/2B. And probably 3B/1B too.

 

I've read comments from Counsell that the defense is based on Arcia anyway so I wouldn't be surprised if they already plan on doing something like that.

[CheezWizHed]

When you're shifting, the traditional naming of positions is pointless. I believe Shaw was playing the "SS" position a bunch of times prior to getting Moose.

 

If you have 3 infielders to the right of second base, yes. But this could still be done if someone is on 2nd and you need Shaw covering third to prevent steals.

[Ennder]

I don't think range is a primary factor in the equation when talking about shifts. I think covering the bag and making the pivot on double plays is what matters. So I'd want Arcia in the position to be the guy taking the throw and turning 2 most often.

[Lathund]

I tend to miss quite a bit and post here more in bursts...but this isn't actually a commonly suggested idea, is it? I'd honestly prefer just moving Braun to 3rd at that point....and even as I say that, I'm not sure if that should be in blue or not!

 

It's just one guy suggesting it. On the other hand, he's relentless about it.

[HiAndTight]

I tend to miss quite a bit and post here more in bursts...but this isn't actually a commonly suggested idea, is it? I'd honestly prefer just moving Braun to 3rd at that point....and even as I say that, I'm not sure if that should be in blue or not!

 

It's just one guy suggesting it. On the other hand, he's relentless about it.

 

 

I just don't see what that would get them. Why are you taking Shaw or Moose out and who are you trying to fit in at 1st?

[Lathund]

I just don't see what that would get them. Why are you taking Shaw or Moose out and who are you trying to fit in at 1st?

 

You're better off asking him, I don't see any point in it either. He seems to believe that 30 career innings at 3B means that Aguilar definitely can play there. Only way it makes "sense" (And I use that word losely) is if you want to squeeze Moustakas, Aguilar, Shaw and Thames into the same infield, which also requires faith in Moustakas playing SS. And you lose so much defense that it's just not worth it.

[CheezWizHed]

I'd like to take this time to just point out that "one guy" (i.e. Clancy) isn't the one derailing this thread about 3B...

[Ennder]

 

 

I tend to miss quite a bit and post here more in bursts...but this isn't actually a commonly suggested idea, is it? I'd honestly prefer just moving Braun to 3rd at that point....and even as I say that, I'm not sure if that should be in blue or not!

 

Aguilar is a nice defender....FOR a 300 pound guy and IF the ball is hit right at him. He's certainly not a guy you want to see playing 3rd base unless it's an emergency.

 

As a tall relatively large man there is no way Aguilar is anywhere near 300 pounds. He is maybe 260 tops.

[markedman5]

He is listed at 6'3 250......I'm sure that is in the ball park......

[djoctagone]

moustakas is getting the start at third tonight.

[long ball]

I think they already do this. I've heard/read quotes from the Brewers coaching staff/front office stating their goal is to put Arcia in the spot where he's most impactful on the infield. So it's a combination of where the ball is most likely to be hit and in a position to cover the most ground + still be able to record an out.

 

Often times it's difficult to see exactly where players are positioned on the field while watching on TV unless the ball is hit at a given defender.

 

Just glancing through some of the positioning data from stat cast and on average: Arcia is positioned deeper and closer to first base against left handed hitters with no runners on base.

 

https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/visuals/fielder-positioning?teamId=158&firstBase=0&shift=1&batSide=L&season=2019&position=&attempts=25

[tmwiese55]

I think for the most part Arcia plays the 'rover' type spot in the shifts. I think the logic would be that since he's farther away his range would be more useful, due to obviously more time to move for the ball.

 

I think Philly experimented with a similar notion in the OF in spring training last year for a while, not sure if they did it regular season. Essentially flip flopping RF and LF based on the hitter. For example, obviously Yelich is a better defender than Braun. So it actually would make a lot of sense to have Yelich play LF vs RH hitters and put Braun in right.