Comments on: Shakin’ up Arlington: An ode to Elvis Andrus http://www.dallassportsfans.com/shakin-up-arlington-an-ode-to-elvis-andrus/ A sports blog by and for Dallas Sports Fans Thu, 11 Mar 2010 19:20:22 -0600 hourly 1 By: Elvis Andrus vs. Gordon Beckham: Who's the better rookie? http://www.dallassportsfans.com/shakin-up-arlington-an-ode-to-elvis-andrus/comment-page-1/#comment-688 Elvis Andrus vs. Gordon Beckham: Who's the better rookie? Tue, 04 Aug 2009 20:58:20 +0000 http://www.dallassportsfans.com/?p=1388#comment-688 [...] 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 [...] [...] 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 [...]

]]> By: JerodMSF http://www.dallassportsfans.com/shakin-up-arlington-an-ode-to-elvis-andrus/comment-page-1/#comment-686 JerodMSF Tue, 04 Aug 2009 16:04:50 +0000 http://www.dallassportsfans.com/?p=1388#comment-686 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. 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.

]]> By: Cody Dunlap http://www.dallassportsfans.com/shakin-up-arlington-an-ode-to-elvis-andrus/comment-page-1/#comment-685 Cody Dunlap Tue, 04 Aug 2009 15:35:18 +0000 http://www.dallassportsfans.com/?p=1388#comment-685 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 – 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.

]]> By: Matt http://www.dallassportsfans.com/shakin-up-arlington-an-ode-to-elvis-andrus/comment-page-1/#comment-683 Matt Mon, 03 Aug 2009 23:19:16 +0000 http://www.dallassportsfans.com/?p=1388#comment-683 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. 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.

]]> By: Cody Dunlap http://www.dallassportsfans.com/shakin-up-arlington-an-ode-to-elvis-andrus/comment-page-1/#comment-681 Cody Dunlap Mon, 03 Aug 2009 20:47:04 +0000 http://www.dallassportsfans.com/?p=1388#comment-681 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. 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.

]]> By: Nathan http://www.dallassportsfans.com/shakin-up-arlington-an-ode-to-elvis-andrus/comment-page-1/#comment-677 Nathan Mon, 03 Aug 2009 17:02:39 +0000 http://www.dallassportsfans.com/?p=1388#comment-677 "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. “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.

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