FROM BUSTER'S BLOG TODAY:
One of baseball?s most popular debates in the past year has involved two players: Mike Trout or Bryce Harper?
Harper is perceived to have more power, Trout more speed. Trout is thought to have more range, Harper the better arm.
But it?s time that the conversation over the sport?s best young player be changed. It must include a third player -- the Orioles? Manny Machado. In the year that Harper was drafted No. 1 overall, Machado was chosen two picks later, and the 20-year-old has continued to be overshadowed by Harper and Trout. He arrived in the big leagues a few months after the two last season, and hasn?t had the sort of attention that the other two have had.
This season, however, Machado has blossomed, hitting .315 in his first 65 games, with 34 extra-base hits (including 27 doubles) and 41 runs. Already, Machado is regarded as one of baseball?s best defenders on the left side of the infield.
I informally polled a bunch of talent evaluators around the sport about how they would rank the three players, and based on their answers, Machado already is viewed as a player comparable to the other two -- and there already is concern over Harper?s ability to stay healthy.
Total number of votes: 9. Points are based on 3-2-1 system. Here are the results:
Trout: 22
Machado: 17 1/2
Harper: 14 1/2
Some of the comments:
AL evaluator: "I would keep Machado at No. 3 only because the other two guys are center fielders, middle of the diamond capable; so their premium positon value keeps them at the top of the list for me."
NL evaluator: "Over the long haul, I think Trout's body composition could diminish some of his speed and explosiveness. I know this is a small, nitpicky distinction. I actually think Machado is the most skilled of the three. The other two are just such phenomenal strength/speed athletes."
AL official: "I still take Trout first because he just impacts the game at another level on offense, bases and defense (despite this year?s numbers which I think will reverse again). Machado is really good and actually I think is the best bet of the three for the longest and most productive career -- the best bet for the Hall of Fame because of the length of career and numbers he?ll pile up and there are so many directions he can go in as he ages -- right side of infield, outfield, etc. But I think Trout contributes more wins in his best years than Machado in his best years. ... Somebody has to be third and it?s Harper for me (as it would have been last year) because of the effort in his game and long-term durability concerns."
NL official: "It's closer between Harper and Machado than it was in the past, but Harper is still so young and talented it gives me pause to put even Trout ahead of him. However, Trout impacts the game in so many ways and is so good he's the best player in baseball right now and could be for the next 10 years. Harper has a higher upside, if not less certainty than Machado, and given their ages and all the development that remains all this ranking is about at this point is upside."
NL executive: ?I?d have Machado at No. 1 because he is more graceful, with flowing athletic skills -- poised and athletic easy-action skills are able to make adjustments as required for longevity, like Jeter and early A-Rod, and like Chipper Jones? graceful swing.
"Trout and Harper are both physical strength guys who have linebacker mentality. They may go through injuries and also may struggle later (5-7 years from now) like Kirk Gibson, Bo Jackson. Gibson played as a regular from age 26-32 and then his decline started. Bo had a football injury. Grady Sizemore is similar to a Harper. The mentality to be overly physical hurts players, and outfielders have more wear and tear physically."
