Originally posted by TPM:
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Originally posted by fenwaysouth:
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bsbl247 posted....If my son was given the choice between an outfielder with a chance to swing the bat everyday or a Friday Night starter, I think he'd choose the outfield? That's what I'd hope for.
I'm going to come at this from another angle....This statement above got me thinking (oh no, not that!). A Friday night starter is typically the ace of the staff. Would a Head Coach want his ace / two-way player preferring to be a position player in the new College Baseball 2.0 with less bat pop, more speed and great emphasis on pitching & defense? Thoughts?
A true two way player, IMO is one who pitches as a starter one game a week and then plays a position every day for his bat (or usually as the everyday DH). There was a lefty at UVA, can't remember his name, he played first when he didn't start and batted for himself. This is very rare.
If I am a coach, concerned for my job, and my starters aren't hitting with the new bats, you better beleive I am gonna use everyone I can to get in the lineup. Probably still won't see this at the arger programs.
I see this (being called a two way player) more as a player who is able to play multiple positions, when called upon at certain times, which because of scholarship and roster restraints is becoming more and more common (especiallly in smaller programs).
An example of what I am talking about, Matt Weiters, who would on occasion take off his catchers gear to close a game if needed. He
threw the ball very hard, but he was not what I considered a pitcher. Clearly he was a catcher, who threw the ball on occassion. He had a powerful 90+ FB and often times this froze the batter, but he wasn't all that successful at all times.
Clemson had Ryan Harvey (son of Bryan) who was the everyday DH and a weekend starter. He was what I considered a two way player. BTW, he got drafted for his bat but after struggling for years they converted him to pitcher, only I do beleive they did that as his dad was with the organization for many years. This is not normally what organizations do, they draft you for where they feel you are best suited, and rarely do most get a second chance if one position doesn't work.
Birdman, I understand your concern, it's very hard being a jack of all trades and master of none, but I wouldn't worry too much about it, as a freshman player things change and rarely do they turn out as intended when one is recruited.
Just sit back and enjoy! It worked last year, it'll work again this year!
