Good stuff from Red Sox Nation:
RSN: How would you compare, and project, David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez?Read the whole thing. Good stuff.
JS: They've become similar hitters now, although Ramirez was at 23 what it took Ortiz another four years to become. Ortiz is four years younger and has a little better handle of the strike zone at the moment. Ramirez is exiting the back end of his peak, and while still a great hitter, isn't the same one who was an MVP candidate from 1999-2002. Neither player has any defensive value or speed.
On a year-to-year basis, I'd rather have Ortiz, who should sustain his peak and be a better hitter than Ramirez in 2005 and 2006, at least. His body type makes me think he could have a rapid decline, along the lines of what Mo Vaughn and Kent Hrbek experienced. Ramirez could shift into Edgar Martinez mode, especially if he were to become a DH in a few years, where he just hits .300/.400/.500 until he can't physically run the bases any longer. I wouldn't be surprised to see him retire after Ortiz, even given the age difference.
Loosely speaking, David Ortiz is a good hitter who's had an MVP peak. Ramirez is a Hall of Famer, maybe an inner-circle one.
No comments:
Post a Comment