Posted on 8/7/2007
I have heard all kinds of suggestions about how to improve the Astros, but all of them have been “inside the box,” so to speak. Here’s one that that comes not from left, but from right field. It’s probably too late to consider it because of the Ty Wigginton trade, but I’ve been thinking about it all year.
I would like to find out if Luke Scott can play third base. I think he is a good hitter, but he has been streaky and most teams look for more offense than he has been providing in right field. As an outfielder, Luke’s is an average runner at best. At third base, he would be a plus runner. What’s more, that would open up an outfield position that could be filled with a faster player.
Sometimes it is hard to see the effect that fielders have on pitchers. The pitchers can see it though. And, if the defensive coverage is limited, the pitchers sometimes react by trying to be strike everybody out. When they do, they often walk more hitters than they normally would. Pitching coaches preach “pitching to contact.” In other words, trust your defense. It’s easy to say, but can be hard to do in the heat of the battle.
It is almost impossible for a player to switch to a position he has never played before during the regular season. When Craig Biggio moved from catcher to second base, he was given a few starts in September and then went on a crash course the next spring. When Denny Walling moved from right field to third base, he played a few games in 1983, and then concentrated on the new position the next spring. Biggio ended up winning 5 gold gloves at second and Walling became an excellent third baseman, teaming with Phil Garner in a platoon arrangement at the hot corner. That gave the Astros a good hitter at third base every day. It also gave them a game-ready pinch hitter on the bench every day.
When I look at Luke Scott, I think of Denny Walling. They have about the same build, they both hit left handed and throw right handed and throw overhand with good arm strength. Walling was always a little bit short on ability as an outfielder. Not a lot short – just about like Luke Scott.
I suppose it’s a little late to offer this suggestion. And since Garner platooned with Walling when the Astros won the west in 1986, I have to assume he has given it some thought and decided against it. If Wigginton proves to be all the Astros hope he can be, it’s a moot point. Even so, some thought should be given to position changes in general. To get from where you want to be from where you are, it is not always best to take the shortest route. Sometimes you can get there faster by taking the road less traveled. In other words, start thinking outside the box.
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