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March 05, 2008
The Battle For Yanks Super Utility Player
Ed Price has a feature today in the Star Ledger on the battle between Nick Green, Cody Ransom and Chris Woodward to be the Yankees super-utility player this season.
Since all three of these players can play anywhere on the diamond north of the pitcher's mound, the man with the best bat should get the nod.
However, when it comes to players that rarely play, it's not fair to judge them by their batting average - as it's tough to fashion a good average when you do not consistently appear in games.
In this case, something like Secondary Average - which is the stat that measures those offensive components that are not measured in batting average - might be a better tool to compare these players. The formula for this is [(TB-H+BB+SB)/AB]. The suggestion here is that a good Secondary Average might be an indicator that the player is capable of a big hit, walk, or steal in a spot - and that's exciting out of a bench player.
Here are the career Secondary Average marks for the three:
Chris Woodward: .217 in 1,774 PA
Nick Green: .193 in 799 PA
Cody Ransom: .264 in 163 PA
That's a very small sample size on Ransom - and you have to wonder if the .264 mark is a real number for him. So, for me, I think the true battle here is between Woodward and Green.
The Yankees have issued Woodward #11 this spring - and Green was given #12. This suggests that the brass may consider them both as having a legit shot at making the team. (For the record, Cody Ransom was issued #60.)
Nick Green has shown a better ability to hit left-handed pitching - compared to Woodward. But, like the numbers on Ransom, it's over a small sample size. Chris Woodward has a huge edge over Green in terms of big league experience.
It would not shock me to see Woodward get the nod over Green (because of the experience factor) - with the latter then going down to Triple-A to start the season there.
Then again, if guys like Morgan Ensberg and Shelley Duncan both make the Yankees team this year, there will be no room for guys like Woodward or Green.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at March 5, 2008 12:08 PM
Comments
Bernie Castro...team needs speed.
Posted by: gphunt ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.waswatching.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at March 5, 2008 12:53 PM
I am not sure I see the purpose of any of those guys with Betemit on the team.
Posted by: dave at March 5, 2008 01:31 PM
Agreed. Why would the Yankees carry another utility player if Betemit can play every position in the infield? The Yanks can use Betemit in the infield and have a Brett Gardner type guy as a 5th outfielder.
There's no need for these three guys.
Posted by: MJ at March 5, 2008 01:37 PM
I dunno guys - to me, the last 4 or 5 spots on the Yankees 25-man is a wide open race at this point...and anything is possible.
Posted by: WW Staff at March 5, 2008 02:58 PM
I agree with dave.
Posted by: Rich at March 5, 2008 07:04 PM
looks like Betemit will get it, but Ensberg is the dark horse.
the pen is where the real competition is happening.
Posted by: Travis G. at March 5, 2008 07:21 PM
Betemit / Duncan and probably Ensberg will take the final 3 spots on the player side. if they're going to REALLY take a glove men with speed I rather take Alberto Gonzlaz to be frank. they're all going to suck at the plate anyway might as well take the best glove. (I saw a play against Houston were he barehanded a badhop rocket right at him.. wow) between those 3 you pretty much covered every position except C and CF. if the G man actually sticks more at 1B (I'm actuall a little more optimistic about that now then i was at the start.. he REALLY looked good out there so far) you don't need to start Betemit that often
Posted by: Yu Hsing Chen at March 5, 2008 09:22 PM
the pen is where the real competition is happening.
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I know he's been all potential and no results so far, but Ohlendorf looked awesome today.
Posted by: baileywalk at March 5, 2008 09:27 PM