Ankiel in center

by apierce on Apr 4, 2008 1:57 PM EDT

Anyone else perplexed that Rick is patrolling CF every day so far? I understand he can handle the position admirably (what a stud), but what about Colby? The guy is going to take over at some point soon and then be there for several years. Rick will move over to RF at that point. Why isn't Rick over in RF now, getting comfortable?

Skip can play a solid CF. Dunc/Lud are fine in LF. Barton spelling whomever whenever. This seems more stable, for what that's worth.

Finally, Rick's solid play in CF is earning him a LOT of money when his FA time comes around. Solid CFs with serious power are a rare breed. As a FA, I can definitely see him getting an offer from someone in need (dare I say NYY? They prefer memorable CFs and, well, Melky...) that we may not match.

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Ankiel in the Bronx

Better put the cutoff man in the nose-bleed section. If he couldnt handle the pressure here, better give him velcro shoes in NY!

HEEE HEHEHE BIG BOY- mike shannon

by plunkem on Apr 4, 2008 2:02 PM EDT reply actions

Rick isn't a free agent until 2010

These fanposts are getting out of hand.

No offense intended to the OP.

Still looking for 1985 Regular Season games on DVD/VHS

by Hardcore Legend on Apr 4, 2008 2:20 PM EDT reply actions

nephew

Hey my five year old nephew is hitting .400 in T-ball. In 2023 Rasmus might be wearing down, maybe we should start planning for the future?

HEEE HEHEHE BIG BOY- mike shannon

by plunkem on Apr 4, 2008 2:26 PM EDT up reply actions

My mistake

Thanks for pointing it out.

by apierce on Apr 4, 2008 2:29 PM EDT up reply actions

Probably want to get his face out there

Even during his rehab time a few years ago he was one of the top subjects on the call in shows and in print. They have to want him front and center to appeal to the fans. Center field is the outfield leadership position where Jim Edmonds made so many plays, and Cardinal fans look to by nature.

HEEE HEHEHE BIG BOY- mike shannon

by plunkem on Apr 4, 2008 2:54 PM EDT reply actions

I said it before and I will say it again...

I wonder who will end up being the better CF Rasmus or Ankiel.

Right now I go with ANK.

Put Raz in LF and let him develop without the added pressure of playing CF.

"Why does he keep saying that?"

by Red Blazer on Apr 4, 2008 3:18 PM EDT reply actions

Personally

I don't think it will be close. I think Rasmus will establish himself as the dominant OF in the Cardinal organization by 2009. He just has every skill, defense, arm, power bat, and OBP. Ankiel is a nice asset and could potentially be a force but I just don't ever see him matching the on base skills of Rasmus or becoming his equal in the long term.

"I believe he’s been reincarnated, that he played before, in the twenties and thirties, and he’s back to prove something." - Former teammate Mark McGwire about Albert Pujols

by cardzfan24 on Apr 4, 2008 4:45 PM EDT up reply actions

I said it before and Il'l say it again

I agree with you, Red Blazer

by ridgesee on Apr 4, 2008 7:46 PM EDT up reply actions

Ankiel doesn't walk enough

to approximate what Rasmus will do offensively. Ankiel has more power but he just doesn't reach base often enough.

The only reason anyone says this is because Rasmus is a "prospect".

by azruavatar on Apr 4, 2008 9:20 PM EDT up reply actions

apierce...

I wondered the same thing all through spring training when Ankiel was playing center everyday and he was said to be likely to win the spot. I don't think your post was inappropriate at all!

I'm not concerned about his free agent value so much as why he's learning center when he's likely to play right.

Thanks for the highlight moments 15 and 27!!!

by cardzfanbub on Apr 4, 2008 3:44 PM EDT reply actions

Ankiel is a CF

That's where he saw the most playing time in the minors (away from the mound). I don't see anything wrong with playing him there now, because he's going to be in the lineup every day. When Colby comes up, you will play the better CF in CF and move the other to RF.

Really my question is, why wasn't Ankiel in CF and Jimmy moved to RF last year? Ank's got the wheels and the arm, both are starting to go out on Jimmy.

by Stan and Slaughter on Apr 4, 2008 4:31 PM EDT reply actions

Hope so

I can certainly live with this decision if Tony thinks Rick isn't going to have any problems moving back to right (I'm in the keep Colby in CF camp). If that's the case and Rick in CF is the best lineup to run out there these days, then I'm on board.

by apierce on Apr 4, 2008 5:11 PM EDT up reply actions

I think it's a sign...

that we won't be seeing Rasmus any time soon. August-September at the earliest.

by DiscoJer on Apr 4, 2008 4:54 PM EDT reply actions

Trade Rasmus!!!

I'm only semi-kidding.

Ankiel's hitting great.

Ankiel also plays CF extremely well.

He just made two nice catches in a row which showed a good sense of the subtleties of the position. In each case he judged where the ball would fall, ran to that spot, and looked up and caught the ball. He didn't try to track the ball and run at the same time.

by thepainguy on Apr 4, 2008 11:13 PM EDT reply actions

He's the only everyday player.

1) Ankiel is the only everyday player in our OF. I don't like the idea of platooning your CF. I think Schumaker is probably the better fielder right now, but he will obviously be part of a platoon.

2) Ankiel is still developing as an OF, and he will see more flyballs in CF. I think ultimately Rasmus projects as the better CF, but he won't be up with the big club until a trade/injury of an OF occurs. I don't think the Cards have any interest in rushing either of those two situations to occur. Unless you are willing to start him in CF, then you don't bring Rasmus up.

3) I think the "learn to play RF" thing is pretty overblown. A CF can move to RF or LF without any real learning curve required. If the Cards' toughest decision to make is which of my two legitimate CFs have to be moved to RF, then we're in pretty good shape.

by etp_stl on Apr 4, 2008 11:52 PM EDT reply actions