Laynce Nix's defense

by KLSnow on Aug 14, 2008 9:48 AM CDT

For someone who's a better prospect guru than me:

Laynce Nix was presumably brought up to fill Branyan's roster spot because the team needed a fourth outfielder and Nix was the best of all options that could play center field. (Sorry, Tony.)

But Nix is, at best, a part time center fielder in AAA. He's played 42 games in center this year, compared to 43 in right. Last year he spent more time there: 59 of his 83 games. His BR Minors page doesn't say where he played in 2006.

Nix was almost certainly not the best offensive option available in AAA. Among others, Brad Nelson and Joe Dillon are both there. Furthermore, if Nix hadn't been called up, Corey Hart likely could have played center in a pinch, if Cameron couldn't finish a game for whatever reason.

So, for someone who knows the minors better than I do: Is Laynce Nix a good enough center fielder to be appreciably better than Corey Hart would be in a fill-in role? Is the defensive difference big enough to make up for leaving better bats in AAA?

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Playing center

Nix has also played in 200+ games as a center fielder in the majors. Dillon and Nelson combined have half that many games played in the outfield in the minors.

I don’t know where the idea he was called up because he could play center field comes from. They already have a backup center fielder: Gabe Kapler. If something happens to Cameron, Kapler will move over and start in center like he has 21 times this year. I think the real reason Nix was called up over Nelson or Dillon is he’s the best defender of the three anywhere in the outfield. If he’s one weird play away from starting, that’s not an idle concern.

Obscure baseball records and more at my blog, Recondite Baseball.

by TheJay on Aug 14, 2008 11:03 AM CDT 0 recs

AAA

I think that the reason that Laynce was called up over Nelson or Dillon is because neither one of the two has played outfield at all this year, Laynce has only missed a handful of games all year in the outfield and in the last 20 games Laynce is hitting .364 with 15 extra bases and is currently in 10th place in the PCL with 24 homeruns. He was the obvious choice for the Brewers to call up.

by nashvillesoundgal on Aug 14, 2008 11:58 AM CDT 0 recs

Nelson has played 7 games in the outfield this year

BCB's "very own marginally deserving all-star!"

by battlekow on Aug 14, 2008 4:00 PM CDT up 0 recs

Nelson

If that is correct then they have all been at away games, and he hardley ever plays outfield as he is a infielder

by nashvillesoundgal on Aug 15, 2008 12:02 PM CDT up 0 recs

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