Comments on: McCutchen 2007 v. Marte 2011

By: PAPOSSE

PAPOSSE — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 04:58:00 +0000

Living around the Altoona area, I’ve seen McCutchen and Marte both play. Overall, I think Marte at the AA level, with all being equal, looked better overall. I agree totally with Cutch having an average arm and at times below average. His accuracy at times is below average. He seemed to go through a period of time in Altoona where he was really up and down at the plate – Marte seems more consistent overall. Cutch went through the steaky offense just again after the All-Star break – looked really bad at times. Both seem to be solid defensively with the glove, speed, reaction etc. But to predict how Marte will fare in the bigs is crap shoot – until he gets there and stays there for awhile, we really don’t know.

By: Jacob J

Jacob J — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 23:41:00 +0000

They could, but I personally would not waste superior hitting talent to acquire a pitcher because what really brings and keeps a top starter is MONEY. Any team with the money can get a top starter without even sending their best hitting prospects. Look at the top pitchers currently and how the majority of them came to their teams. Every winter there is a bidding war for a couple sweet arms and the ones who put up the best contract offers get their men.
Besides, pitching is a fickle profession. Your top starter today is usually not the top starter 3-4 years down the road. They get hurt too easily since everything is riding on that one body part, their arm.

By: Jacob J

Jacob J — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 23:20:00 +0000

You seem to be making the same mistake in power as the McCutchen scout did. First of all, you simply cannot predict accurately what his power output will be from AA ball.

But any hitter who is above average like Cutch & Marte, and who has real good bat speed and timing, can legitimately reach 30 homers at some point. I would be willing to bet that skinny Henry Aaron’s reports from the same minor league level were not gung-ho on future home run output either, but there was never any doubt that he had excellent bat speed. Aaron was never a muscle-up home run hitter, he did it with his whole body using a perfect swing and timing. That’s how the greatest ones always do it. (especially before the steroids era). He was an all-around great hitter, and also a great clutch hitter, maybe one of the greatest ever. (he did easily get 3000 hits and still holds the career RBI record if I’m not mistaken).

By: Robert J. Graham

Robert J. Graham — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 20:40:00 +0000

Let me put another perspective to this. What are they worth in trade value? My rational is it is about even.
could they bring us a top of teh rotaiton , ML ready or ML pitcher? That is what we need…now and in the future!

By: Nate

Nate — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 18:27:00 +0000

These evaluations seem increasingly too linear to me. This player projection tool places an equal value on all tools and ignores fielding position. Speed is important to a 2B, SS, and CF – and depending on the park dimensions (like PNC Park) speed might be more important for a corner OF.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 17:39:00 +0000

If I were grading McCutchen today, I would say 55 hit, 55 power, 65 speed, 50 fielding, 50 arm — but I would be tempted to put the arm at a 45.

That averages to be 55. That may sound “eh”, but to have a player that is average in all 5 categories and “plus” in 3 is impressive.

To answer your original question — definitely his power has improved from 2007. He uses his wiry strength more and his quick wrists.

By: chad

chad — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 16:47:00 +0000

interesting. i was just looking into this comparison a few days ago to compare their AA stats but cutch being much younger i didn’t draw too much from it.

By: John Franco

John Franco — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 16:02:00 +0000

Great article. What has Cutch improved since his ’07 days? Is it just his power? He certainly *feels* like better than a 56-58 OFP player. (Bumping his power to a 50 makes him a 57)

But 60/50/65/60/50 is about as high as I’d be willing to go. I still don’t think he’s a 70 fielder. 65, maybe.