Yelich to 1B?

[edfunderburk]

Why doesn’t it make sense to move Yelich to 1B?

 

He’s a below average LF with a mediocre arm

 

Prior to last season, he was a lights out hitter ... that skill should return next season

 

It seems to me that finding a quality replacement for him in LF would be easier & less expensive than finding someone to play 1B

 

So ... why not move him to 1B?

[TURBO]

I have wondered the same exact thing in another thread. This seems obvious to me.

[TURBO]

viewtopic.php?f=63&t=39942

[brewmann04]

Good idea wonder if they will try the move in the spring.

[adambr2]

Yelich has been a solid defensive LFer for his career. I wouldn't draw any conclusions based on this season.

 

I don't know how he would be as a 1B but it's not like we have a surplus of great OF options that we need to make room for.

[wntrtxn21]

Yelich is an adequate OF with good closing speed, and like adambr2 stated; it's not like the Crew has a wealth of OF options ready to go. Moving Yelich is robbing Peter to pay Paul. If Stearns isn't going to make a move to fill the hole at 1B, I think the best change of a player position would be Hiura to 1B.

[TURBO]

Hiura to 1B is brought up a lot. Has he ever played there, ever?

 

He isn't a big target, I just can't see this ever happening.

 

he is destined to play 2B, DH or be traded imo. Not that I think we would trade him by any means...

[JackNicholson1974]

Yelich seems like an athlete to me. He doesnt appear to be slow, he seems to have at least average to slightly above average instincts. He is still in prime of career. He isn't a bad left fielder by any stretch.

[RollieTime]

I think this might be an idea to start to explore when he’s 32 or 33, but he’s still only going to be 29 for the 2021 season. I doubt Stearns signed him with the plan to move him right away and pay a first baseman 20+ million. His bat would play there, but he still has great speed and seems to have good instincts in the outfield.

[CheezWizHed]

I would be concerned about how Yelich could field groundballs.

 

But assuming that isn't an issue, it probably is less about "can Yelich pass in LF" and more about "is it easier to find a good offensive 1B or LF"? Traditionally, finding a good hitting 1B was pretty easy, but lately it is oddly difficult.

[Simba2020]

Yelich never had the look of a gold glove caliber outfielder to me. His arm strength is mediocre at best and overall just seemed like an ok defender. This year though he seemed to play at a below average level defensively. However, moving him to first would just leave a hole in the outfield without any guarantee he would be even acceptable on defense at first.

[brewcrewdue80]

https://www.perfectgame.org/Players/Playerprofile.aspx?ID=121086

 

I've mentioned this in past. Yelich had a profile as a 1b leading up to the draft. It may be bumpy initially at 1b, but he'll probably turn in to a good one defensively.

[balsamlaker]

What about the Brewers signing potential non-tender candidate Eddie Rosario and moving Yelich to first?

[wntrtxn21]

https://www.perfectgame.org/Players/Playerprofile.aspx?ID=121086

 

I've mentioned this in past. Yelich had a profile as a 1b leading up to the draft. It may be bumpy initially at 1b, but he'll probably turn in to a good one defensively.

 

The Brewer infield is already one of the worst defensive infields in the majors. Why would they make it worse? Why not just get a 1B and leave Yelich alone.

[brewcrewdue80]

https://www.perfectgame.org/Players/Playerprofile.aspx?ID=121086

 

I've mentioned this in past. Yelich had a profile as a 1b leading up to the draft. It may be bumpy initially at 1b, but he'll probably turn in to a good one defensively.

 

The Brewer infield is already one of the worst defensive infields in the majors. Why would they make it worse? Why not just get a 1B and leave Yelich alone.

 

I'm not even sure Yelich would have that bumpy road at 1b, I just suggested the thought to not blatantly say He'll be good there from day 1. This is 1b we're talking about. What concern would you have on Yelich fielding 1b? He's 6'3" unlike the Hiura idea who is 5'11". In the era of 3TO I dunno what fear on Yelich would be defensively at 1b? This isn't 3b where he has to throw across the diamond, just gotta catch the ball when thrown to.

[wallus]

Yelich is too good in the outfield to put at first base. This lineup needs at least another masher and 1st is the likely place to put them defensively.

[Jopal78]

Look no further than Ryan Braun, and there is your answer. His move to first base consisted of 12 starts in 2018 (and only 7 completed games at that ) and he never played an inning over there again. True, these guys are professionals, and in a pinch they can probably fill in anywhere on the diamond. But for there to be professional level competency, its substantially more complicated than simply saying "viola, outfielder is now a corner infielder".