#TBT- Dustin Pedroia, 2B, Boston Red Sox
@Hoover__26 May 26
It happens all the time: a young star wins a rash of awards (like Rookie of the Year and MVP in his first few big league seasons) and becomes a fantasy superstar, and continues to be a very strong producer with a predictable decline. Having only played 228 games in the last two years, perennial Gold Glove winner and four time All-Star Dustin Pedroia looked like his decline had finally hit after hitting over .300 in four of the seven seasons since his Rookie of the Year. This led to him being the 15th second baseman selected on average in espn.com drafts (despite this, I honestly can’t see taking Kolten Wong nearly 57 positions earlier than Pedroia, but to each his own). However, Pedroia is currently sitting in 6th in fantasy points scored for his position.
Pedroia, at 32 years old, is still putting on a fielding clinic every time a ball is hit or thrown in his general direction. He is in the top 6 for active players in both putouts and assists at second base (baseball-reference.com), and is currently 5th all time in fielding percentage at second base (only D.J. LeMahieu is ahead of Pedroia on the list for active players). Making this all that much more impressive, he has managed to do this at only 5’9” (having great range as a fielder is especially tough when you’re shorter than the average american man). Dustin Pedroia’s dazzling fielding is one of the most enjoyable things to watch as a fan (of any team that isn’t the Yankees, that is), for a multitude of reasons. One, baseball purists love to see someone who can deliver on both sides of the ball (or, as a scout would say, a five tool player). But in addition to that, seeing a balding and bearded guy of below average height be a premier player in any sport gives us all a glimmer of “Hey, maybe I can do that!”. Chances are, however, that you in fact can not.
Dustin Pedroia is not only having a throwback season, but is a true throwback player as well. When you send Pedroia out onto the field, you know exactly what you are getting; A defensive guru who rarely strikes out, hits the ball with sharpness and has a great eye for balls and strikes. In the modern age where bone-crushing power hitters or lightening fast pinch runners with little else to offer are mainstays in the MLB, a guy who has been doing it all for years and years is truly refreshing (especially for a fantasy owner looking for a consistent one stop shop for all his categories). And, with a contract that will last him through his age 37 season, who knows how long this week’s #TBT can keep filling up his team’s box score (and keeping the other team’s box score desolate).
Pedroia, at 32 years old, is still putting on a fielding clinic every time a ball is hit or thrown in his general direction. He is in the top 6 for active players in both putouts and assists at second base (baseball-reference.com), and is currently 5th all time in fielding percentage at second base (only D.J. LeMahieu is ahead of Pedroia on the list for active players). Making this all that much more impressive, he has managed to do this at only 5’9” (having great range as a fielder is especially tough when you’re shorter than the average american man). Dustin Pedroia’s dazzling fielding is one of the most enjoyable things to watch as a fan (of any team that isn’t the Yankees, that is), for a multitude of reasons. One, baseball purists love to see someone who can deliver on both sides of the ball (or, as a scout would say, a five tool player). But in addition to that, seeing a balding and bearded guy of below average height be a premier player in any sport gives us all a glimmer of “Hey, maybe I can do that!”. Chances are, however, that you in fact can not.
Dustin Pedroia is not only having a throwback season, but is a true throwback player as well. When you send Pedroia out onto the field, you know exactly what you are getting; A defensive guru who rarely strikes out, hits the ball with sharpness and has a great eye for balls and strikes. In the modern age where bone-crushing power hitters or lightening fast pinch runners with little else to offer are mainstays in the MLB, a guy who has been doing it all for years and years is truly refreshing (especially for a fantasy owner looking for a consistent one stop shop for all his categories). And, with a contract that will last him through his age 37 season, who knows how long this week’s #TBT can keep filling up his team’s box score (and keeping the other team’s box score desolate).