I would like to apologize in advance for destroying the feng shui of this blog by posting a non-NFL preview-related topic right in the middle of the previews, but something has to be written about the Mighty Mite himself, Dustin Pedroia.
Standing at a formidable 5-foot-7 and 175 pounds, Pedroia wouldn't be a guy that you'd look twice at on the street. He is, however, the MVP of this Red Sox team. And, dare I say it? I think he should be the MVP of the American League.
Let's compare Pedroia to a popular contender, Carlos Quentin, in several important voting categories:
Pedroia:
Avg. - .327 (1st)
Hits - 185 (1st)
Doubles - 42 (t-3rd)
Runs - 107 (1st)
HR - 15 (50th+)
RBI - 70 (50th+)
Steals - 17 (35th) [94%]
OPS - .863 (41st)
VORP - 53.2 (6th)
Fielding % - .990
Quentin:
Avg. - .288 (50th+)
Hits - 138 (50th+)
Doubles - 26 (50th+)
Runs - 96 (t-8th)
HR - 36 (1st)
RBI - 100 (t-6th)
Steals - 7 (50th+) [70%]
OPS - .965 (8th)
VORP - 52.8 (7th)
Fielding % - .971
Not to mention that Pedroia stays alive with the best of them, ranking in the 250's in strikeouts, striking out more than only (mostly) bench and role players, and half as often as Quentin.
While Pedroia ranks much lower in home runs and RBI, is it really fair to compare the power stats of a mid-lineup guy with those of a #2 batter? On the other side, it's not fair to compare the steals, either. So, that would leave average, hits, doubles, runs, VORP, and fielding % as the legitimate stats that can be used to compare these two. And, by my calculations, Pedroia has the advantage in all 6 of those "legitimate" categories, and 7 of the 10 total categories assessed.
Then again, it would seem that the power numbers (HR, RBI, OPS) are the numbers that really matter nowadays. It's just sad, because when you compare these two players, it's easy to see which one is more valuable, overall, to their team.
Note: Post changed from the original "Youk v. Pedroia," since I felt daring and decided to write something that could actually be almost groundbreaking.
7 comments:
I gotta get on the blog more...
It is kind of tough for us to debate certain issues, considering a lot of us have similar views aka The New England Bias.
Yes, over the past month Pedroia has been on an absolute tear, and anyone sporting 4 of the 5 vowels should be considered for the AL MVP.
Generally the award goes to a player on a playoff contending team, so we can look at players from Tampa Bay, Chicago, Minnesota, Anaheim, and Boston.
Texas has some interesting contenders with Hamilton [who had just an absurd first half], Kinsler and Bradley. All three have had impressive seasons statistically; however two have not been able to stay on the field for enough games to qualify for the award in my mind, and Hamilton has fallen off a bit.
Tampa Bay: This team doesn't have one true MVP candidate. If Evan Longoria could have stayed healthy, picked up his BA a bit, and Rays held on the win the division, then maybe.
Chicago: Carlos Quentin, who I can't even remember before this year has come out of no where this year and put on quite a show. He ranks in the top five of every power category you can can think of, and without a runaway favorite this year he's definitely in the mix.
Minnesota: Justin Morneau and Joe Mauer are a great core for any lineup, but just not MVP caliber this year. Solid numbers, but not MVP type.
Anaheim: This is maybe the best team in the AL, largely because of its incredible starting rotation. If K-Rod wins the MVP, let alone the Cy Young because of his to-be record save total, I will not be happy. Saves are an overrated stat.
Boston: Gone are the days of Pedro, Nomar, and Manny. [which feels weird] I'm really impressed this year by Youkilis and Pedroia... I never though they'd be THIS good. Youkilis, while he has done a remarkable job filling in for Manny while playing gold glove defense definitely has grown into a star this year. But can he win the MVP? Has he been more valuable to his team than Quinten, Morneau, or even Aubrey Huff? I don't think so.
Which brings us to our man DP. Yeah, I'm a little extra excited because he's been playing out of his mind. He leads the lead in batting, plays great defense, in a pennant race, and appaerntly is making a push for a 20/20 season and run at 90 rbis. I love the guy. If the voters will beyond power statistics and more at the intangibles the DP brings to the table, he's definitely got more of a chance.
If the White Sox make the playoffs I believe it'll come down to Quentin and Pedroia. You know who I'm pulling for.
Note: Only one player with a batting average below .300 has won MVP since 1990. [A-Rod 2003] caio Carlos
note2: If A-Rod wins the MVP this year on a crappy Yankees team, then I'm done caring about the award.
http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=1306
Check that out Timmy.
DP has a serious chance.
Breaking news: Carlos Quentin could be done for the season.
Pedroia the favorite now?
PS...looking at that Prospectus MVP predictor--both Pedroia and Quentin have a chance to have 4 of those categories---tie game. Now that Quentin may be out for good, that lowers his chances of one of the 4 (leading league in HR, maybe even playing for division winner).
And by one, I meant one or possibly two.
I'm liking the updated, photo inclusivness of the article.
Yea, I figured since you spiced yours up, I might as well do the same.
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