http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/basebal...0,2134362.story

 

Pujols sees Ramirez moving to third

BY MIKE BERARDINO | South Florida Sun-Sentinel August 13, 2008 MIAMI GARDENS - Albert Pujols had an interesting answer when asked recently what he sees down the road for fellow Dominican Hanley Ramirez.

 

"I definitely don't think he's going to finish his career at shortstop," Pujols said. "I think he's going to be moving to third base, probably. He's going to get bigger and stronger, and he's already strong."

 

Pujols, who has made himself into a Gold Glove first baseman, knows all about position change. He broke in as a super utility man in 2001, dividing his time almost equally between corner infield and outfield.

 

He was primarily a left fielder in 2002-03 before setting up shop at first base in 2004.

 

 

 

Some scouts have suggested Ramirez might wind up in center field, but he has resisted any talk of a position change. He averaged 25 errors his first two seasons, and his 20 errors this year trail only Arizona third baseman Mark Reynolds (21) in the majors.

 

Still, infield coach Andy Fox said he is pleased with the progress Ramirez has made this year, particularly in terms of positioning and consistency.

 

"He's a lot better," Fox said.

 

Offensively, Ramirez has been outstanding, but he still has some ground to cover before he can approach Pujols' eight-season averages.

 

"If he stays healthy, he's going to be probably one of the best players in the game," Pujols said.

 

"I just wish he can stay healthy and keep doing what he's doing. I think he's a pretty humble kid that plays the game the right way. I'm pretty happy for him."

 

Well, if Pujols said it... :mis2

I can see it, less range might help with his error problem.

I don't know what Pujols is talking about. Hanley would really struggle at 3B, if he was put there. Hanley has made some great strides in improving his defense, and is very good at getting the tough ground balls, he just needs to get better with the routine one's.

A-Rod did, so i guess hanley could do it. IF it means him getting better defensivley then why not. But that raises the question, what about Matt Dominguez?

I don't know what Pujols is talking about. Hanley would really struggle at 3B, if he was put there. Hanley has made some great strides in improving his defense, and is very good at getting the tough ground balls, he just needs to get better with the routine one's.

how would he greatly struggle?

I don't know what Pujols is talking about. Hanley would really struggle at 3B, if he was put there. Hanley has made some great strides in improving his defense, and is very good at getting the tough ground balls, he just needs to get better with the routine one's.

 

 

I understand what he's saying.

Hanley's already pretty big for a SS, and he hasn't even reached his prime. He could get bigger.

 

With that said, if Hanley's future is at 3B...well, Matt Dominguez future is at 3B, as well, I'd say.

Pujols is pulling a mind game on us so dominquez or mcfearson dont get up in the future

 

hes just mad hes 0- 7 this series with 4 k's

I don't know what Pujols is talking about. Hanley would really struggle at 3B, if he was put there. Hanley has made some great strides in improving his defense, and is very good at getting the tough ground balls, he just needs to get better with the routine one's.

how would he greatly struggle?

 

I think people see Hanley making alot of errors in the transfer from glove to hand and on his throws, so it may not decrease his error rate but at least he won't have to worry about turning the doubleplay at second.

Pujols is pulling a mind game on us so dominquez or mcfearson dont get up in the future

 

hes just mad hes 0- 7 this series with 4 k's

 

Doubt it

 

This just keeps adding to the A-Rod/Hanley comparisons, someone else brought that up too, even last season I could see it waiting in the wings, thing is, right now Hanley's practically built like a 3B... and he's going to get bigger... that thought is staggering, he still hasn't completely grown into his body. By the time he does, he'll be a much better hitter, but at the same time, I can see him losing SS's range.

I would worry more about Hanley's arm than his range should he move to third.

I would worry more about Hanley's arm than his range should he move to third.

 

I think the additional strength from just naturally growing will even things out... and yes, my head still can't wrap around that... When Hanley hits HRs, they're usually no-doubters, but to me at least, it never looks like he hits them hard... AND HE'S GOING TO GET STRONGER :wow

I would worry more about Hanley's arm than his range should he move to third.

 

I think the additional strength from just naturally growing will even things out... and yes, my head still can't wrap around that... When Hanley hits HRs, they're usually no-doubters, but to me at least, it never looks like he hits them hard... AND HE'S GOING TO GET STRONGER :wow

 

 

yep yep hes still 24 and still has a lot of room to improve and when he does hell show us y hes the next a rod

I would worry more about Hanley's arm than his range should he move to third.

 

I think the additional strength from just naturally growing will even things out... and yes, my head still can't wrap around that... When Hanley hits HRs, they're usually no-doubters, but to me at least, it never looks like he hits them hard... AND HE'S GOING TO GET STRONGER :wow

 

 

yep yep hes still 24 and still has a lot of room to improve and when he does hell show us y hes the next a rod

 

 

Close to it... A-Rod got a much earlier start than Hanley, debuting at 19 but yes, Hanley will certainly put up big numbers

Not arguing the point but it was Hanley's right (throwing) shoulder that troubled him before the ASG, and earlier in the season, which was the genesis of my comment.

I would worry more about Hanley's arm than his range should he move to third.

 

I think the additional strength from just naturally growing will even things out... and yes, my head still can't wrap around that... When Hanley hits HRs, they're usually no-doubters, but to me at least, it never looks like he hits them hard... AND HE'S GOING TO GET STRONGER :wow

 

 

yep yep hes still 24 and still has a lot of room to improve and when he does hell show us y hes the next a rod

 

 

Close to it... A-Rod got a much earlier start than Hanley, debuting at 19 but yes, Hanley will certainly put up big numbers

 

yep any 1 else expecting him to finish his career like this

 

320 BA 500+ HR 250 + Steals 3000 hits

2 MVP's a hella lot of Silver Sluggers and hopefully a Gold Glove

Not arguing the point but it was Hanley's right (throwing) shoulder that troubled him before the ASG, and earlier in the season, which was the genesis of my comment.

 

Was there a defined cause of that injury, I remember him having a bit of a bum shoulder, but I don't remember the cause (if one was ever given)

I don't know if Hanley can become a third baseman, I believe he has the arm for it, the only way I see him playing third base is if he tries to do what Bonds did (not steroids) bulk up in muscle, which will reduce his mobility and will reduce him to playing third base.

I would rather see in in CF than 3B.

To people doubting if Hanley can move to 3rd base because of his arm, look no further than Pujols himself. Granted, he did move, but he has played close to 100 career games at 3B, along with over 250 in LF, and he has the arm of a grade schooler.

the problem with Hanley's arm isn't his strength but his accuracy.

 

This just keeps adding to the A-Rod/Hanley comparisons

 

A-Rod didn't get moved to third because he couldn't handle SS, though. He was moved to third because Derek Jeter, at the time about an average SS compared to A-Rod's above average defense, is the captain of the Yankees and you can't ask that to switch posistions even if it makes the team better! that's not what being a captain is about. So A-Rod moved to third and the Yankees defense struggled, A-Rod packed on more muscle since he didn't need as much range and yet he still probably is a better SS than Jeter considering how badly Jeter has downspired the past few years.

the problem with Hanley's arm isn't his strength but his accuracy.

 

This just keeps adding to the A-Rod/Hanley comparisons

 

A-Rod didn't get moved to third because he couldn't handle SS, though. He was moved to third because Derek Jeter, at the time about an average SS compared to A-Rod's above average defense, is the captain of the Yankees and you can't ask that to switch posistions even if it makes the team better! that's not what being a captain is about. So A-Rod moved to third and the Yankees defense struggled, A-Rod packed on more muscle since he didn't need as much range and yet he still probably is a better SS than Jeter considering how badly Jeter has downspired the past few years.

Damn, you just beat me to it.

 

But you need to remember this about Jeter:

 

He can't go left. How is he going to play 3rd if he can't go left?

the problem with Hanley's arm isn't his strength but his accuracy.

 

This just keeps adding to the A-Rod/Hanley comparisons

 

A-Rod didn't get moved to third because he couldn't handle SS, though. He was moved to third because Derek Jeter, at the time about an average SS compared to A-Rod's above average defense, is the captain of the Yankees and you can't ask that to switch posistions even if it makes the team better! that's not what being a captain is about. So A-Rod moved to third and the Yankees defense struggled, A-Rod packed on more muscle since he didn't need as much range and yet he still probably is a better SS than Jeter considering how badly Jeter has downspired the past few years.

Damn, you just beat me to it.

 

But you need to remember this about Jeter:

 

He can't go left. How is he going to play 3rd if he can't go left?

 

He's not an ambi-turner? Lol.

the problem with Hanley's arm isn't his strength but his accuracy.

 

This just keeps adding to the A-Rod/Hanley comparisons

 

A-Rod didn't get moved to third because he couldn't handle SS, though. He was moved to third because Derek Jeter, at the time about an average SS compared to A-Rod's above average defense, is the captain of the Yankees and you can't ask that to switch posistions even if it makes the team better! that's not what being a captain is about. So A-Rod moved to third and the Yankees defense struggled, A-Rod packed on more muscle since he didn't need as much range and yet he still probably is a better SS than Jeter considering how badly Jeter has downspired the past few years.

 

I know this... But Hanley moving to 3B from shortstop would add to the comparisons :mischief

 

You know... besides being really talented at hitting the ball in general

Unless we stumble upon a great SS prospect, I hope Hanley remains at short at least for the next few years. His production is much more valuable there, and his defense is still good enough to keep him there.

I don't know what Pujols is talking about. Hanley would really struggle at 3B, if he was put there. Hanley has made some great strides in improving his defense, and is very good at getting the tough ground balls, he just needs to get better with the routine one's.

how would he greatly struggle?

I would say, that you need to have your best fielder at 3B. It is very tough, you must have very quick reactions, and even better glove work. I just think Hanley is better suited at SS.