Kozma news fom BP

by The Duke on Apr 21, 2008 9:09 PM EDT Comment 4 comments

Many saw Kozma as a bit of an overdraft last summer, but the pool of middle infield talent was anything but deep, and the Cardinals wanted to ensure that they get their guy. So far, he’s looking like a legitimate first-rounder after a 5-for-15 weekend that included his first two home runs of the season. That stretch upped his averages to .322/.420/.492 in 16 games for the River Bandits. The reason Kozma may be underrated is that he lacks that one plus-plus tool to get excited about, but at the same time, he’s one of those players whose greatest strength is a lack of weaknesses. He’s a good hitter, a good fielder, and he has a good arm and runs well. It’s hard to see superstar potential in him, but at the same time, if you’re starting a pool of current 2007 high school draftees who will turn into everyday big league starters, take Kozma early.

Looks like our 2007 draft is looking up

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good post

I like your take on Koz. But it seems the Cards are playing catch up for years of neglect. We put a premium on drafting Koz due to need. Shouldn’t we have had several Kozma types stashed in the system ready to plug holes in the middle infield? Well I guess Jack Wilson is the closest Koz comparison from the Cards system and Jock squandered him. Perhaps JMo has taken note. Yikkes! I just checked out how old Jack Wilson is fairing this season—UGLY.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=6693

But that’s beside the point. An organization with depth has more than one Jack Wilson or Pete Kozma percolating on the farm. You can burn one on a trade for need without any undue harm. The Cards prior to this year had no such luxury. I hope we have moved beyond such unsavory days. I note the emergence of Jose Martinez in Springfield http://futureredbirds.com/2007/01/24/prospect-profile-jose-martinez/ and Jarrett Hoffpauir at Memphis as signs of a middle infielder pipeline beginning to develop in our system. I pray it bears fruit on the big club.

by jjray on Apr 22, 2008 12:59 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

just to be clear

that post isn’t by the fanpost author, it was direct from an article at bp. only the last line is the fanpost author’s work.

(note: the duke did just fine here, by my read; only a small portion of the article was lifted. just want to make sure proper credit for authorship goes where it’s due.)

e'rebuilding mang

by nycbirdo on Apr 22, 2008 2:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

To see Kozma with any power is heartening

Carlos Gomez did his review of all first round picks in last year’s draft, and singled out the Kozma (along with a couple of others) for some particularly harsh critique. Not saying he couldn’t be a serviceable player one day, but that he didn’t have the swing to be a first rounder. In fact, he called Kozma’s swing poopy.

I don’t know if he’s made any change in his swing, or if the analysis was off base, or if these two homers are just a fluke… but hell, it’s something better than “poopy.”

"Attaway to stomp 'em. Stomp the piss out of 'em. Stomp 'em when they're down. Kick 'em and stomp 'em. Attaway to go boys. Pound that old Budweiser into you and go get them tomorrow." -- Joe Schultz

by taiko on Apr 22, 2008 3:16 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Good, but not a star?

I don’t like it when analysts or scouts assume a player won’t be a star just because they are well-rounded. Several years ago, we heard similar faint praise for the AL Rookie of the Year and the player who beat out Yadi for the NL Gold Glove in 2007.

by Bdo on Apr 22, 2008 7:40 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs