Where should Daniel Fields play?
by johnnygre on Mar 12, 2011 10:23 AM EST
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By that I don't mean in which level he should play, but in which position. Everybody knows that he was drafted as a SS in '09 but immediately transferred to the outfield as a pro. However I tend to think that this was actually due to certain conditions back then, that do not exist any more now.
When Fields was drafted the Tigers organization had Cale Iorg, Brent Dlugach, Audy Ciriaco and Danny Worth in the high minors and knocking on the door of the big club. With Scott Sizemore a lock to get the 2B of the future there seemed to be no place for Fields in the middle infield. At the same time behind Granderson there were only Casper Wells and Clete Thomas, but both were considered as better corner outfielders. So, obviously center field offered better opportunities for advancement.
18 months later Iorg still can't hit consistently, Worth is more of a utility guy than a regular, Dlugach is out of the organization and Ciriaco has moved to third base. And Sizemore's stock has fallen. Meanwhile the team is soaring with outfield talent. Brennan Boesch burst out of nowhere last year, Andy Dirks is tearing ST apart and Avisail Garcia is looking strong.
Therefore it seems that the situation of 2009 has been reversed and the Tigers might actually need Fields at the middle infield. He is considered by many as by far the best athlete in the system (even better than Jackson maybe?) and as a real 5-tool player. And he still is very young.
This however is just my theory or wishful thinking. I don't know what the team might think of him in the future. Hell I haven't even seen him play at all. I'd really like some info and thoughts by you guys who are closer to the team whether this could be done
This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of the Bless You Boys writing staff.
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Dan Fields
If I remember correctly the Tigers decided to move Fields to Centerfield/outfield quickly (after drafting him), as they thought with his size and a continued growth/development he would outgrow the ss position. Same thing for a young and similar size/age VSL shortstop Javier Azcona who moved from short to 3B and 2B. At his young age, and maybe an afterthought by Tigers development people, you never know, if it was decided to move Fields back to shortstop/infield.
What I have read about Iorg is that everything about him is major league level Except the hit tool. This might be the make or break year, after the religious hiatus and back to full time baseball and ridding the rust of those 2 years in Portugal that he did not pick up a ball, bat, or glove. imo right now his comp at the majors would be a Belanger and Ray Oyler.
Fileds will be a Starting OF in motown in a few years.
he has all the tools and will be here before we know it. Ajax in Center Fields in LF Wells in RF. OF of the future!!!
by BennieBladesFan on Mar 12, 2011 1:12 PM EST reply actions
He'll play right field in the pros
I’m guessing that Detroit moved him to the OF because his instincts would play better there as opposed to in the infield. And from what I’ve heard, he’s a better fit in right over the long-term as opposed to center- I think there are questions about his range, plus his arm makes right a good option.
And he’ll probably play in Lakeland this year. If the contact skills and/or the power improve, he’ll break out big. Speaking of which, I need to do my breakout list…
"Aside from the stuff I haven’t been diagnosed for yet, I don’t have a problem."- Phil Coke
Contributor, Bless You Boys
As one of the potentially best utility players in the Bigs.
Since he has Minor League time ahead of him, try everywhere, but C. Eventually he could replace Santiago/Kelly. When Worth hits .280, Fields will have to battle harder. With Clete Thomas and Andy Dirks added to the OF mix, the Tigers don’t need an OF. The need is for a Utility guy, who can hit to enable Strieby to be the DH when VMart catches. For now, I’m happy with Santiago. There is certainly no need to get another not named OF. The Tigers have real depth everywhere in the Minors now. Congrats DD on NOT making foolish trades or signings I love Strieby, but they’re playing him too much. His wrist is still vulnerable, in my opinion. I hope I’m wrong about his wrist, but we all know he’s a clutch hitter. More playing time isn’t necessary.
by StephenGrosberg on Mar 12, 2011 6:51 PM EST reply actions
What.
I’m sorry, did you just suggest that we use one of our best prospects and a guy who has a chance to break into the top 100 if not the top 50 as a bloody utility guy?
"Aside from the stuff I haven’t been diagnosed for yet, I don’t have a problem."- Phil Coke
Contributor, Bless You Boys
by David Tokarz on Mar 13, 2011 1:23 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
It's all part of the plan
for when Adam Wilk wins the Cy Young in 2 years.
by Rob Rogacki on Mar 13, 2011 1:42 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Another guy that'll make my preseason watch list.
"Aside from the stuff I haven’t been diagnosed for yet, I don’t have a problem."- Phil Coke
Contributor, Bless You Boys
by David Tokarz on Mar 13, 2011 3:19 PM EDT up reply actions
Yea...
What? A guy who has the potential to be a BJ/Justin Upton-type player should not be relegated to a utility role.
Chicks dig me, because I rarely wear underwear and when I do it's usually something unusual
That's a bit much
But yeah, he could be a starting OF, if not an impact player.
"Aside from the stuff I haven’t been diagnosed for yet, I don’t have a problem."- Phil Coke
Contributor, Bless You Boys
by David Tokarz on Mar 13, 2011 3:19 PM EDT up reply actions
Now you 're freaking me, mate!
Sure, I ‘d like Fields to be our next shortstop of the future. But Kaline and David, cleared out for me the reasons why this can’t happen (thanks guys). And now you say that the team should make one of our top prospects a replacement for Santiago or Kelly?
Next thing you ‘ll say that Turner and Oliver become relievers so as not to impede Wilk’s rise.
re : Fields
Thanks johnny, I am here daily to read all your thoughts, and to add something once in a while. I have alot of respect for guys like Kurt, Tigerdog, David, matt, and several other regulars who have always put well thought out opinions on the state of our Tigers. Then too, there are other Tigers fans like stephen g, who from his posts, would like more of the youngsters playing.
I think you need a good blend of veterans and those minor leaguers who are on the cusp and major league ready. and in some instances, that rookie/prospect that deserves to make the 25 man roster, but would be better suited to play at Toledo or Erie regularly than only getting a lgame or two late inning chance or a ‘Leyland sunday lineup’ once a week start while mostly sitting.
I learned a long time ago, opinions are like rear ends and everybody has one. So I can understand how he feels too.
All any of us really want is for our Tigers to win a world series, I don’t think it would matter to anyone who played that season when it happens.
by KalineCountry on Mar 13, 2011 7:31 PM EDT up reply actions
Except there can be opinions that are ill informed.
Bad decisions are still bad decisions and opinions are never above reproach.
Sometimes I can put words together but other times they fall apart... like Greg Oden.
I want to apologize for being rude to Stephen Grosberg
He’s a guy who has time and again shown that he’s the most outspoken and uncompromising fan of the Tigers’ farm players. And he is a guy whom I don’t know besides reading his comments on various thread. I am 35 y.o. and should have known better than verbally attacking a person just because I didn’t like his comment.
I would like to explain though that I snapped at his comment because of all people he should know that bumping around such a talented player just to fill up the holes in the roster is a terrible waste of talent. Each player has a position that suits him best in the field and once he masters it through constant practice, he can show his true worth. And I think that we all agree that Fields can be a great player once he finds his position in Detroit.
Most of those players won't be impact players in MLB.
Just stating the usual odds.
Sometimes I can put words together but other times they fall apart... like Greg Oden.
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