Hardy's defense

[adambr2]

He wasn't the only culprit tonight (and granted, he was really the only one besides Gross supplying the offense), but how many more times after an error are we going to hear "A rare error by J.J. Hardy", before it's not that rare anymore?

[GenoSeligPrieb]

When he was being called up, we were told that his glove would be well above average. Well, he's solid, and probably above average, but not great.

 

But my problem is that, when there are speedy hitters, he still plays way back at the lip of the outfield grass almost, and quicker guys like Jose Reyes, Jimmy Rollins, Luis Castillo...can and have beaten out a few 4-5 hoppers to short.

 

Otherwise, overall, he's young, cheap, a pretty good SS, and he has pop for the position. He's not the problem right now. If we can stop allowing 8+ runs a game, I think we may stand a chance...

[AdvantageSchneider]

I'm not a stat's guy, but I would love a comparison to Hall vs. Hardy last year to this year. Anybody have solid numbers if Hardy has been that much of an improvement over Hall?

[DHonks]

it's two-fold. Hall/Hart in CF is better than Clark, Sanchez, or Podsednik. Hardy at SS is at least as good as Hall, if not better.

[JJHardy7]

Hardy is solid at SS, but with some Brewers prospects he was overhyped. He's above average, but lacks the range of a Reyes, etc. He plays very deep which makes up for his range, but fast guys are still able to get on base. If he can hit 20 hrs a year, he'll be fine at SS for the next few years no doubt.

 

Part of me also thinks his ankle is bothering him, but that's just an opinion and I have no facts regarding that. He could be tired since this is the most he played in awhile?

[AdvantageSchneider]

Yeah, that wasn't really the question I asked, and those guys really aren't on the team anymore anyway. It would have been Hardy/Hall or Hall/Hart/Gross.

 

But I was really just interested in his defense, because the main premise behind moving Hall was that Hardy's defense was in theory going to be that much greater than Hall. Just like to know if that is true or not.

[JJHardy7]

Or possibly that Hall could adjust to the OF better than Hardy? I'm thinking that played a big factor in that decision.

[AdvantageSchneider]

Hardy didn't project to hit enough to be a CF. It was his defense at SS as the main reason for moving Hall. I'm just wondering if that is true.

[JJHardy7]

I think you just said it. He didn't project to hit enough to be a CF. I don't think Hall's defense vs. Hardy's is totally different. I just can't picture Hardy in CF (offensive numbers aside) and Hall is a better athlete. Having Hall's 2006 bat in CF makes hiim one of the best in the NL offensively, if not the best.

 

I don't know if it was ever Hardy's defense vs. Hall's, but maybe who could be moved and it was time to get Hall a spot to play everyday.

 

I don't think it was the wrong decision, but I think Hardy's defense was overhyped a bit. His range doesn't seem to be as good when he was a rookie, so I'm hoping he's just tired or his leg is still sore.