An August Infield BABS Report Card

by Mark Simmons

The August BABS update provides a chance to compare her preseason draft rankings with the in-season skills she’s observed. Were there clues that led to breakout seasons? Were there warnings that foretold of coming flops? What can be learned and applied to 2019 draft prep? Let’s take a trip around the infield.

Catcher

Before the season, BABS listed only four catchers with a dual-asset skills profile. Not surprisingly Gary Sanchez, Wilson Contreras, J.P. Realmuto and Salvador Perez were four of the five highest drafted catchers.

Sanchez had an ADP of 19, and as a 2nd round pick has torpedoed his share of teams this year. BABS rated Sanchez as (PW,AV). If we weren’t too stubborn to see it however, BABS was also waving a caution flag. Sanchez had both an inj- (helath) and e (experience) liabilities. In hindsight, that experience liability might have alerted savvy owners that Sanchez’s .284 career average coming into this season was higher than he hit in any minor league season. If you also noticed that his Hard Hit rate dropped from 42% in 2016 to 37% in 2017, there were reasons for concern. BABS did hint there were red flags here, but I don’t think even she expected the season we’ve seen.

1st Base

BABS believed in Jesus Aguilar this spring. He had a (P+) draft rating, but didn’t appear to have a clear path to playing time. A .265 average in 311 PA in 2017 wasn’t enough to warrant a positive batting average asset rating at draft time, but there is some reason for optimism now. The August update shows a (P+,AV) rating. 

2nd Base

In Ozzie Albies, BABS may have steered owners into the find of the season, completely by accident. His pre-season (S+) asset rating was intriguing enough to have him among the top five or six at his position. Five months later, he is entrenched among the elite 2bmen (p, s, AV).

Albies hit .286 (with an xBA of .269) in his debut in 2017, and similar production this season shows there are skills to support continued success. However, I don’t think even BABS could forecast the power. With 16 HR in over 1,500 minor league ABs, there were few clues to suggest this year’s output. His average exit velocity in 2017 was a tick better than that of Paul DeJong and his 25 HR, but nothing hinted at this. If you got Albies this spring for the $11 (123 ADP), say thank you to BABS for an elite keeper.

3rd Base

Matt Carpenter may be the single best endorsement of BABS’ ability to see skills. Carpenter was coming off a .241 season with 23 HR, yet his assets (P+,a*) before the season had him in rare air among first basemen. His awful start did not inspire confidence, but the owner who was patient has been rewarded; and BABS has been justified. Add in eligibility at 1b and 2b, and he becomes one of the best values in the game. BABS, you beautiful genius.

Shortstop

In a baseball world in which the game seems to have evolved (devolved?) to three true outcomes, a player who exhibits three BABS skills is an icon. Javy Baez (pictured) has become that type of player.

After a 2017 campaign that BABS rated as (p,s,a), he entered this season slightly regressed (p,s), perhaps in part due to BABS’ lingering memory of 2014 when he hit .169 and struck out in nearly half his plate appearances. Baez however, was a career .287 hitter in the minors. Rated at (PW,S+,AV) in the August update, he currently paces all batters. Considering his price in auctions this spring ($12) and the stats he’s realized, Baez has my vote for Roto MVP this season.