Since it sounds like Braun will eventually move, is Mat Gamel our future at 3B?

[DrWood]

I don't think you have a guy play LF for 3 years, then abruptly switch to 1b.

[TooLiveBrew]

He played 1B through college, and the perception around MLB when we drafted him is that the only reason we've asked him to play LF is so he can be a part of this current influx of talent as opposed to the wave to follow. We have absolutely acquired him to play LF for 2-3 years & then move to 1B. If you want a more 'established' version, look no further than Houston's Berkman. One reason you see guys play LF & 1B is that those are the two 'easiest' positions to play.

[southpaw121505]

I think it makes perfect sense to get his bat in the bigs early in his career and then have him as a fallback option when Prince leaves. I don't have a single worry about him being able to convert (back to) to FIRST BASE...come on....Is it even possible that he'd be a step down from Prince defensively?

[TooLiveBrew]

Possible, yes. Plausible, no. But to be fair to Prince, he has really been hurt by having 2/3 of his INF throwers be pretty terrible thus far. DM thinks quality defensive players will pick on him until he cries.

[southpaw121505]

True. I just can't imagine a world where anyone that is passable offensivley at first would be that big of a downgrade defensively from Prince. It's not like a few years in the outfield will make him forget how to play 1st base, if his bat proves worthy I think he's a no-brainer to replace Prince eventually.

[hauser42]

He played 1B through college, and the perception around MLB when we drafted him is that the only reason we've asked him to play LF is so he can be a part of this current influx of talent as opposed to the wave to follow. We have absolutely acquired him to play LF for 2-3 years & then move to 1B. If you want a more 'established' version, look no further than Houston's Berkman. One reason you see guys play LF & 1B is that those are the two 'easiest' positions to play.

 

Berkman played all 3 OF spots before he hurt his knee and was an OFer in college.

[TooLiveBrew]

What do you mean - I'm not sure of your point (I don't mean that in a mean-spirited way). All I did was provide an example of an OF who then transitioned to 1B. There are many others, to be sure.