Feb
11
2011

From Left Field: Does Brad Emaus Deserve The Preseason Hype?

An article by Jim Mancari

I love when MLB analysts, bloggers and fans release their picks for a team’s projected lineup heading into the season.

In many cases, educated baseball fans arrive somewhere in the “ballpark” (no pun intended) of what the Opening Day lineup will look like.

Since Terry Collins has given everyone a preview of at least two-thirds of the order, there really is no guessing game associated with what the lineup will be this year.

As of now, the batting order should resemble the following:

1. Jose Reyes, SS

2. Angel Pagan, RF/CF

3. David Wright, 3B

4. Carlos Beltran, CF/RF

5. Jason Bay, LF

6. Ike Davis, 1B

From here, it looks like Josh Thole will do the bulk of the catching and will assume one of the final two spots in the order.

That, of course, leaves second base.

As I have begun reading other fans lineup predictions, many have already slated Brad Emaus into the starting second baseman’s role.

Granted, many have not, but still I feel I should be asking why so many fans have a pre-spring training love fest for Emaus.

I’ll start with the positives.

Emaus has put up solid numbers the last few seasons in Toronto’s minor league system. Last year, he hit .290 with 15 HR, 75 RBI, 32 2B and even 13 SB in 125 games between Double-A and Triple-A.

Ike Davis and Josh Thole are left-handed, so the right-handed hitting Emaus could split up the lefties and provide a little punch at the bottom of the order. As shown in this clip, Emaus has a fluid stroke with a Fred McGriff-like over the top finish.

Emaus also showed a great eye at the plate, drawing a walk in almost 15 percent of his at-bats.

Seems like a good fit, right?

Well, before we all start jumping on the Brad Emaus bandwagon like some fans have, let’s consider a few things.

Emaus plays adequate defense, at least according to scouting reports from the minors. Some reports claim his defense isn’t good enough to play second base and his offense is good enough to play third base.

Davis has shown some range at first base, so I’m not too worried about the second baseman’s defense, except of course in turning the double-play.

One main question pops into my mind when thinking about Emaus: Why would the Blue Jays leave this guy unprotected in the Rule-5 Draft?

Yes, I know, Aaron Hill is distinguishing himself as a premier second baseman in this league, but Emaus is only 24 and could have provided some insurance.

Other reports have claimed that Emaus sometimes does not give 100 percent on the field. This will be a year where every single Met on the 25-man roster will need to give 100 percent for the team to compete.

Finally, some fans have been writing off Daniel Murphy already as the starting second baseman. He may still be in the process of learning a new position, but there’s one thing certain about Murphy: No one ever questions his work ethic.

There were stories that he used to hit so much before games that he sometimes wore himself out. I’m not saying this is a good thing, but it shows the determination this guy has in getting better.

In the end, I believe both players will make roster and split time at second base. I’m not sold on a platoon just yet, but I could see each player getting ample time at the position.

I was concerned that so many fans were already penciling Emaus into the batting order before even seeing him take a swing in spring training.

I like these fans’ enthusiasm, but as has been the plan all along, several players will get the chance to duke it out at spring training.

Follow me on Twitter @JMMancari.

About the Author: Jim Mancari

Jim Mancari hails from Massapequa, N.Y. He recently earned a Master's degree in Journalism at Hofstra University. He is a devout Mets fan and takes pride in his team, despite their lack of success over the last few years. Like all Mets fans, Jim has plenty of hope. He also writes as the sports reporter for the Brooklyn Tablet newspaper and the senior editor of metroBASEBALL Magazine. Click my name to view my personal website.

17 Comments + Add Comment

Metstheory22 February 11, 2011 at 10:30 am

We had a righty/lefty platoon in 69 and 86 and did well. Emaus/Murphy might work.
- Jim Mancari February 11, 2011 at 10:45 am
  
  Definitely agree. I would like to see it in action a few times during spring training.
- Harry C February 11, 2011 at 11:58 am
  
  Its a lot harder to platoon in ’11 than it was in 69 or 86. Managers had bigger benches because there wasn’t a need to carry 12 or 13 pitchers. With this new world order in the bullpen you only have a 4 man bench (not counting catcher), making platooning a very limited proposition.
  - any February 11, 2011 at 5:49 pm
    
    not really. If you have a starter and a back up guy, some days they just reverse roles.
    
    as long as those guys can also supply back up at other spots (and they do at 3B, 1B and in a pinch OF) should not matter.
Mr North Jersey February 11, 2011 at 11:22 am

Andy Martino tweered “Reese Havens expected in St. Lucie today” He is the one that could really help the Mets out at 2b later this year if he could just stay healthy and continue to hit as projected.
BryNY February 11, 2011 at 1:08 pm

It’s funny how everyone has completely written off Castillo, as though he’s already been cut, I wouldn’t be surprised if he had a great spring, and if the competition is fair, won the starting job. I would certainty rather see Emaus or Murphy at 2B but I think people are seriously under estimating Castillo and not showing enough respect for a guy who’s had a very good Career.

Don’t forget that Castillo had a typical Castillo year in 2009, hit around .300, high OBP, etc., and it’s not a huge stretch to think that he can do that again because he had a down year in 2008 and came back the next year to be his usual self.
- Jim Mancari February 11, 2011 at 2:03 pm
  
  If Castillo wins the starting job outright, I will be very happy. Hopefully, he would give the Mets a decent year in the last year of that ridiculous contract. It’s hard to believe, but he is the last Met to hit .300 in a season. He hit .302 in 2009. If it wasn’t for a few boneheads plays (you know the one) in the field, we would be remembering that as a great year for Castillo.
  - any February 11, 2011 at 5:51 pm
    
    but, he has lost even the little power he used to have, and will be especially useless hitting in the 8 hole (where he would be in this lineup).
    
    no chance of being any kind of run producer.
- Donal February 11, 2011 at 2:18 pm
  
  You have to consider the full body of work. So what if Castillo hits well against some journey men fighting for a job in Spring Training? You have to be sure he’ll hold up the entire 162 game season and be able to actually play the position well, which he hasn’t for a while.
Jerry M February 11, 2011 at 2:23 pm

Fans dont want Castillo this year. If he is the one we will get no offense from him and no HRs. The team would be just like last year which is not good. Murphy will win the jov.
Bayonne Mets Fan February 11, 2011 at 2:28 pm

Brad Emaus has a reputation of not giving 100% on the field all the time?????

That is a HUGE red flag, I dont’ care what his numbers in hitter friendly Las Vegas were. That is something to look out for this spring.

Doesn’t hustle? Sounds like more of a loser than a competitor to me. Thanks for the info i’ll be watching for that
- any February 11, 2011 at 5:54 pm
  
  this type of rumor/innuendo you have to be careful with, not knowing the source. So yeah, need to look at him in camp to see for yourself.
  
  2 things leading me to not worry that much about it. 1, I doubt collins will tolerate it, so he either hustles or he will be gone. 2, J.P must have been a driving force to getting him, and if the guy was a dog, he should have been well aware of it.
Mr North Jersey February 11, 2011 at 2:49 pm

I know one thing then Jim if Emaus doen’t give 100% I know Murphy will and if Emaus’s glove at 2b is not that much better than Murphy’s well then that is just making Murphy’s chances of being the starting 2b that much easier.

Nice post Jim a lot of useful info.
- Jim Mancari February 11, 2011 at 9:41 pm
  
  Thanks, I saw so many people getting on the Emaus bandwagon when we haven’t seen the guy play at all. I hope he proves his supporters right by tearing up spring training and earning a spot on the team. The key word here is “earn.” Thanks for reading.
Jerry M February 11, 2011 at 11:14 pm

Good article Jim andI hope all those who want Emaus will readit. I mentioned it at Mets Blog when Murphy came up today.
Metsie February 12, 2011 at 10:34 am

I personally would swap Davis and Bay in that projected lineup.

At least until Bay shows he deserves the 5th spot. Ike has more pop and as the sophmore will also need the protection of a decent hitter behind him.
- Bayonne Mets Fan February 12, 2011 at 10:49 am
  
  I like that idea too. If Davis encounters growing pains they could pitch around Bay to get to him.

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