Monday, March 21, 2011

Why not Danny Worth at second base for the Tigers?

I've said all along that of the Tigers' young infielders, the best one is Danny Worth. There is no question that is true with the glove. He is an outstanding fielder. When he was in the major leagues briefly last season, I did see some life in his bat. He hasn't hit much in the minor leagues, but wasn't overwhelmed by major league pitching. I think he is a better player than Will Rhymes and Scott Sizemore, yet those two have been getting most of the work at second base this spring.
Even though Tigers' manager Jim Leyland wildly praised Worth Sunday, he still seems to be the odd man out at second base.
Worth was a second-round draft choice. He is 25 years old. Why isn't he getting a real shot?
I can't help but wonder why.

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10 Comments:

Anonymous John said...

Better yet, if his glove and arm are so great, why not play him at 3rd over Brandon Inge?

11:16 AM 
Blogger MSUSteve said...

I'd be happy with anyone but Sizemore.

11:26 AM 
Blogger Fred Brill said...

Book,

I guess I always though Worth was there to fill the spots on the left side of second base. I do believe you need a better glove on the left side of your infeild - so it makes sense to me.

I've heard rumours that this may be the last season for Inge - which I find hard to believe only because Inge will try to keep playing no matter what - and the Tigers of recent have not been so good at letting go "past their prime players who have Tiger fans behind them" - so why start with Inge? But it's very conceivable with those knees that Inge goes down hurt n mid season.

As well, Peraulta at short has no back up.

Just throwing that out there. I like Worth better on the left side.

12:31 PM 
Blogger Barry said...

Pat, I think your right and DD likes spring training performance so Worth should be part of the platoon with Santiago or Rhymes or Kelly at 2B. Worth is also good defensively too. Sizemore is just not hitting.

12:49 PM 
Anonymous Michael C said...

Sizemore had an OPS of .828 in the minor leagues, compared to Worth's .663. That's quite a difference. (And Inge hits better in the majors than Worth ever did in the minors)

Still, Worth's ability to play all over the infield at a very high level is quite valuable. I think he's more suited to play short or backup all the infield positions than be a long term every day 2nd baseman.

I'm not counting him out of the competition at 2nd at all though, and I do think he has a lot more upside than Rhymes.

6:33 PM 
Blogger Pat Caputo said...

John,
The Tigers have a couple good third base prospects - Francisco Martinez and Nick Castellanos, the latter their top pick in last year's draft. They will likely be Inge's replacement. Worth doesn't have power like Inge.
Caputo

11:36 PM 
Blogger Pat Caputo said...

MSUSteve,
Sizemore hasn't been the hitter some were projecting him to be. Not even close.
Caputo

11:39 PM 
Blogger Pat Caputo said...

Fred Brill,
If the Tigers do not contend this season, there will likely be a firesale of players. At the head of the list will be Inge and Peralta.
Caputo

11:40 PM 
Blogger Pat Caputo said...

Barry,
I still think Worth will begin the season in the minor leagues.
Caputo

11:41 PM 
Blogger Pat Caputo said...

Michael C,
worth is getting stronger, but he hasn't hit for average at all and needs to draw more walks. Big reason OPS is low.
Caputo

11:42 PM 

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