Who is a better cf for the future

[tenkevcardinal]

Who do you think will be a better cf for the future Andruw Jones? Torii Hunter? Ken Griffey Jr.? Mike Cameron? Somebody Else?

[SmedIndy]

I've been impressed with Corey Patterson so far.

[hmrsf]

I see Damon on a regular basis and he has really panned out big for us. Great speed in the outfield, on the bases. He seems to be the whole package and a REAL leadoff hitter to boot!!!

[Rajah]

With the exception of Corey Patterson, I'm pretty sure that Andruw Jones is the youngest regular CF in MLB. Considering he's already the best, I'd have to say he's the best bet for the future.

[moose]

Jones for the future... Jones now.

I expect Cameron to play very well and Hunter to continue to be the minor star he is.

I expect Griffey to rebound to all-star quality, but the eye-popping days are probably behind him.

I havent seen enough of Corey Patterson, but I trust my Cubbie bretheren :).

Seriously, though - Jones is off the charts defensively, and he's shown he can hit. What he needs to do is hit consistently.

[JamesI]

I'd take Andruw as the best now and the best for the next few years.

[poorme]

Jones in a no-brainer. CP is impressive, but he's got a looooong way to go.

[WiredTiger]

Andruw Jones is my choice. He's so good that you forget he's only 25.

[moose]

Originally posted by WiredTiger
Andruw Jones is my choice. He's so good that you forget he's only 25.
definitely. he's that good.

(btw, i have the same problem with andy petitte - not that he's so great that i assume he's 30, but it seems like he's been pitching so long he's about 35)

[tenkevcardinal]

I'm gonna go against the grain and pick Torii Hunter. Last year he had a 3.22 RF to Jones's 2.93 and his offense is definitely coming around to be almost the same as Jones and he is only 2 years older, so age isn't much of an issue. I think he's shown more improvement so I think he might become better than Jones.

[Sound2TheBay]

Griffey now, Andruw Jones when he moves to another position.

[VNV Nation]

Sorry, Hunter is great and a fine hitter but I don't think for one second that his better range factor indicates that he's better defensively than Jones. Andruw has a better claim than any player of recent memory to being the best ever at his position.

[tenkevcardinal]

Originally posted by VNV Nation
Sorry, Hunter is great and a fine hitter but I don't think for one second that his better range factor indicates that he's better defensively than Jones. Andruw has a better claim than any player of recent memory to being the best ever at his position.

why?

[moose]

Originally posted by tenkevcardinal
why?
Remember, RF is not a seamless stat. It counts PO + A per defensive inning.

Thus if you have a few pitchers with some high groundball/flyball ratios (paging dr. maddux), he's going to get fewer balls hit out there, period. same thing with strikeout pitchers, who will allow fewer balls in play (on average).

Ie, a staff with 5 randy johnsons will give you fewer chances than a staff with 5 steve sparks'

[KCBOOMER]

Another good young CF is Carlos Beltran. He's the reason Johnny Damon got moved to leftfield. Well, actually it was because Damon has the weakest throwing arm in MLB.

[Craig S.]

I've never liked Andruw, but he's gotta' be the pick. Once he learns not to swing at bad balls, he could be a monster. His numbers are already pretty impressive, and he's established himself as the best CF in a long time at the age of 25.

Hunter is good, but I'm not completely sold on him yet. Corey Patterson has proven nothing, and I don't think his potential will ever get him close to Andruw.

[SmedIndy]

Ah - but Andruw has three years on CP. Though Andruw did play in the majors younger, CP still has an extra three years (theoretically) to build his skills.

[Long John - RJ]

I'm going to go with Andruw Jones now, Juan Pierre for the future. There aren't many that have the speed and instincts to play CF in Colorado. As Pierre develops into a better leadoff hitter, he will be an elite CF IMO.

[poorme]

Originally posted by Long John - RJ
As Pierre develops into a better leadoff hitter, he will be an elite CF IMO.

The great thing about Netshrine is that everyone is entitled to his/her opinion....

[moose]

Originally posted by SmedIndy
Ah - but Andruw has three years on CP. Though Andruw did play in the majors younger, CP still has an extra three years (theoretically) to build his skills.
point taken. i'd take andruw then over CP now, though

[gyb13]

Andruw, then Beltran

[Craig S.]

Originally posted by SmedIndy
Ah - but Andruw has three years on CP. Though Andruw did play in the majors younger, CP still has an extra three years (theoretically) to build his skills.

True, but I believe he'd need to follow an almost-vertical learning curve to catch up to Andruw. I consider age more important than experience, and Corey just seems way behind where Andruw was at that age, at least offensively.

Not that it can't be done, but I think it's pretty unlikely.

[SmedIndy]

I'm guess I'm looking at who will be better in 2005 and 2006, and not trying to match Andruw's career totals.

It is a question for better CF for the future, not which of the young CFs will have a better overall career. The three years will make a difference starting in, say, 2004.

[Craig S.]

Originally posted by SmedIndy
I'm guess I'm looking at who will be better in 2005 and 2006, and not trying to match Andruw's career totals.

It is a question for better CF for the future, not which of the young CFs will have a better overall career. The three years will make a difference starting in, say, 2004.

Good point - I was looking at it too much as a comparison of careers. I guess if you're looking at who will be better 5 years from now, it becomes a different question. I'd still pick Andruw, but my decision might not be as easy.

[soxfan121]

For overall impact to their team, here's how I fill out my CF draft sheet:

1. Andruw Jones
2. Torii Hunter
3. Johnny Damon
4. Jim Edmonds
5. Carlos Beltran
6. Ken Griffey Jr.
7. Corey Patterson
8. Juan Pierre
9. Preston Wilson
10. Darin Erstad

[SmedIndy]

Soxfan -

Is that for present value, or future value?

Where would you rate them in 2005?