Shakin’ up Arlington: An ode to Elvis Andrus
The office where this blog roams is inhabited by a couple of Rangers fans – including yours truly. But the other occupant of said space is, unfortunately, a fan of some team in Chicago named the White Sox.
And with that tragic fandom, this poor soul is convinced that Gordon Beckham is far superior to our own Elvis Andrus. He has gone so far as to say that Gordon Beckham is more of a franchise player than our beloved shortstop.
Personally, I don’t think this debate is worth even acknowledging. Gordon Beckham vs. Elvis Andrus is like Porky Pig vs. Bugs Bunny. Porky had some funny moments and was an overall good cartoon, but I mean, come on. Bugs is a national icon.
Same with Beckham/Andrus. Beckham is a nice player and can rake, but Elvis impacts the game positively in every aspect. He can run, hit, play AMAZING defense, and lead his team.
On Midwest Sports Fans, said White Sox fan defended his boy Gordon Beckham here. One of the points he made in support of Beckham was that he said one day he wanted to lead his team like Derek Jeter leads the Yankees. A noble goal, and one that I am not belittling in any way, shape, or form.
Elvis would never say that, though. He would never come out and say to the media that one day he hopes to lead his team like Jeter.
Elvis knows he’s going to lead his team like Jeter. Not to get all Chuck Norris-y on you here, but Elvis is probably going to lead his team unlike any player in Rangers history.
Is Elvis an outspoken guy? No. Not many 20-year-olds from outside of the United States are.
But is he a team leader? You bet your ass.
Rangers superduperfan Jamey Newberg has written quite a few things about Mr. Andrus, one of which talked about Elvis’ indefiniable charisma. How the ball just sounds different coming off his bat. As much as I’ve seen of Elvis, I have to agree. There’s a reason I got a shirt with his name on the back. I just know he’s going to be a star. Sometimes you’ve just got that feeling that a player’s going to be special. That’s how I feel when I watch Elvis play. I’m watching something special here.
All Rangers fans have seen his defensive plays and how spectacular they are. I don’t think it’s a stretch to say that Elvis has truly energized the defense to where it is this year.
Are Elvis’ offensive statistics spectacular? On the surface, they are not. But take a deeper look at how Elvis does not strike out very often (15% of PA) and walks at a relatively decent clip (8%) as a 20-year-old provides some real good hope for this team’s future.
Elvis is one of the most untradeable guys on this team. He’s a young player that has nowhere to go but up. His hitting stroke has improved tremendously since the All-Star Break, and he’s getting on base more too. And once he’s on the bases, look out. Elvis already has 20 steals this year while only having been caught twice. He could easily get 30-35 steals in this, his rookie season.
Nothing against Gordon Beckham, as I’m sure he’s a fine player. But for the whole package of youth, speed, defense and athleticism?
Well, there is a reason they call him the King.
Elvis pic: http://mopupduty.com/index.php/inside-a-dominican-academy/
Comments
6 Responses to “Shakin’ up Arlington: An ode to Elvis Andrus”
“Elvis would never say that, though. He would never come out and say to the media that one day he hopes to lead his team like Jeter.
Elvis knows he’s going to lead his team like Jeter.”
Totally agree. On the surface you have to love Beckham–more pop, but those guys come around. A 20 year old with a great approach who constantly critiques himself on his plate discipline, looks older than Kinsler and Blalock in terms of the way he carries himself (the face is a giveaway though)–wow…those don’t come around very often. This guy could (should?) be the next Wizard/Omar–Beckham will never be that.
Nate -
Appreciate the input. The more I watch him, the more thankful I am Jon Daniels was able to pry him away from the Braves. What a great trade.
According to Fangraphs Elvis has been worth 2.0 WAR this year and Beckham 1.0, Elvis has the large lead mostly because a) his glove is very good, and b) he’s played many more games.
Elvis is a great young player and so is Beckham. If I had to choose one it would probably be Elvis, just because an he has potential to be an elite defensive shortstop that can also give a .360 wOBA or close. Aside from Hanley Ramirez, that would easily make him the most valuable SS in the league and one of the most valuable players in all of baseball.
The only question if have about Andrus is his age — is he really 20? Even so, if he’s say — 22 — he’s still a hell of player with a lot of upside.
If Elvis’ upside is a better fielding Jose Reyes, Beckham’s upside is — Chase Utley. Beckham can flat out rake for an infielder, 3B, SS or 2B. He looks like a guy that will have no problem putting up a 300/380/520 line for the next decade with some 320/400/550 years sprinkled in.
The only question with Beckham has been where we he play? The Sox groomed him at 2B all of this year in the minor’s then told him he’s coming up to the bigs to play 3B. Good luck kid!
After a rough start, he’s actually been awesome with the glove the last couple weeks, finally he looks comfortable with the quick reflexes 3B demands. His arm is obviously very strong, but his fielding has been on a noticeable uptick.
I have no problem saying Beckham will at worst be a good defensive 3B and a good defensive 2B. SS? I’m not sure, and that’s probably why I (for now) list him behind Elvis.
Still, we are talking about probably the two highest upside rookies in the AL and two guys that look like locks to have great, great careers. It’s no knock on either if someone thinks the other is better.
Matt – I appreciate the response. I’m partial to watching Elvis play because he’s a Ranger, but Gordon Beckham looks like the real deal. Any time I flip on the Sox, he’s doing something well. I liked your comparison of Beckham to Chase Utley – I think that’s very apt. Reyes is going to (probably) steal more bases than Elvis over the long haul, but I think that comparison is accurate as well. I think any of the other 28 teams would kill to have either one of these guys, which is exactly the spot the Rangers and Sox want to be in.
Matt is right in saying that both are fantastic players with great upside and it really isn’t a knock on either to say one is better.
I am partial to Beckham, partly because he plays in Chicago, partly because I think he has more potential to be a middle-of-the-lineup type hitter, and partly because he seems tailor made for stardom in Chicago based on his confidence, personality, and style (think Ryne Sandberg crossed with Zack Morris…yeah, I went there.)
But I love Andrus, and I have no doubts that if Gordon stays at 3B that we’ll see and Elvis starting an All Star game or two at some point together on the left side of the infield.
[...] Elvis Andrus or Gordon Beckham. Jerod had his post defending his boy Gordon, while I had my own post arguing for the case of Elvis [...]