What's on Second? 2024 Spring Competition

[IanRubbish]

Lipscomb could get into the mix. Right now, 2nd is open long term.

That could get interesting.  Middle infielders are tough because they usually become ineffective in the field or move positions by 32/33 yo, so free agent deals for them often end up producing 35 yo first baseman or outfielders.  The new rules only make this a bigger issue.   Baker, Garcia, and Lipscomb all deserve a shot and none of them will be great offensively, but CJ balances that out at SS.   And with all the OF prospects, realistically these guys would be hitting 8th or 9th anyway.

[nobleisthyname]

Baker's OPS at Rochester was about .678. Garcia's was a walloping .696. We know that Baker was hurt in June and played through the injury; in previous years, his OPS was in the .700s. Not a huge difference. Garcia is an indifferent fielder. He was sent down because he was over-weight and content with it.

Across three seasons in AAA García has an .870 OPS. I just don't see Baker reaching that level, but would love to be proven wrong.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

That could get interesting.  Middle infielders are tough because they usually become ineffective in the field or move positions by 32/33 yo, so free agent deals for them often end up producing 35 yo first baseman or outfielders.  The new rules only make this a bigger issue.   Baker, Garcia, and Lipscomb all deserve a shot and none of them will be great offensively, but CJ balances that out at SS.   And with all the OF prospects, realistically these guys would be hitting 8th or 9th anyway.

You can always find hopeful cases for these 3. He's an outlier, but Whit Merrifield never topped 8 HRs at a level in the minors, and was stuck at AA/AAA from age 23-27. He always had an ISO better than Baker and could steal better than Lipscomb has shown, but if Baker could get just a little more pop, or maybe Lipscomb gets to the 20 SB range, both could be regulars. Lipscomb would benefit from the occasional walk, too. Garcia has very good contact skills but can't seem to pull and elevate, which are useful skills for a lefty at Nats Park.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

I've broken out the extensive discussion of potential second basemen into its own Clubhouse thread. What has been said is that Garcia is the incumbent but not  a lock. There's at least 5 or 6 possibilities - Garcia, Nunez, Baker, Lipscomb, Vargas, and Alu. None are blow you away guys yet.

Garcia may be the default, and, to his credit, has shown above average contact skills. Can always count on him for a groundball :~

Nunez is a Rule 5 guy who has shown nothing offensively in the minors but is easily the best fielder. There's an incentive to keep him around at least as an MI backup.

Baker is a lower round draftee who has probably outdone his draft day projections to work himself into the mix. Oddly, he's older than Garcia at the point. Plays decent 2d base defense, has hit for average, but has shown no power in the minors.

Lipscomb advanced 2 levels last year and held his own playing multiple positions. System defensive player of the year. Good ISO, not much in terms of OBP. Looks like he may have a career as a utility infielder but probably will begin at AA/AAA.

Alu is another multi-position guy on the 40 man roster with options. Has hit at times in the minors, didn't look bad when playing 2nd while Garcia was in the minors, but is a bit older now and looks like organizational depth.

Vargas - last year's Every Day, Every Play guy has a job while the minors guys develop and was a roster default starter when the likes of Kieboom and Garcia failed.

[Slateman]

If Nunez is getting consistent MLB playing time, it needs to br at SS. Its the only way you can justify him on a team

[JCA-CrystalCity]

If Nunez is getting consistent MLB playing time, it needs to br at SS. Its the only way you can justify him on a team

gonna guess he's a backup infielder along with Vargas

[Slateman]

gonna guess he's a backup infielder along with Vargas

Right. But if you've decided you're not playing Garcia, and your decision to play Nunez for 30+ games, then he needs to play at SS.

[Mattionals]

Right. But if you've decided you're not playing Garcia, and your decision to play Nunez for 30+ games, then he needs to play at SS.

I think Nunez is at best a defensive replacement pinch runner. He can't hit AA pitching, and although he took walks, better pitching tends to make me think he will be even less effective at getting on base at the MLB level. There should not be a time to carry him as a starter. I'd rather trot out Vargas at 2B every day and cut Garcia.

[welch]

I think Nunez is at best a defensive replacement pinch runner. He can't hit AA pitching, and although he took walks, better pitching tends to make me think he will be even less effective at getting on base at the MLB level. There should not be a time to carry him as a starter. I'd rather trot out Baker Vargas at 2B every day and cut Garcia.

Small correction. Vargas can back up 3B and SS.

But Garcia is talking a good game:

“At first, I felt sad and frustrated,” García said. “Through the course of the getting there and playing down there, obviously I got more experience under my belt. My attitude was much different, my perspective was very different.”

García believes he has corrected his mechanics to keep his weight back and hit to the middle of the field. He lost weight this offseason by eating healthier and joked that he ran “a lot.” That should help his agility and range — he finished with 4 outs below average a season ago. García played winter ball this offseason in the Dominican Republic and called the atmosphere “crazy,” but he believes it helped him develop a stronger focus.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2024/02/28/luis-garcia-jr-nationals-spring-training/