What infield position is more critical to team success.

[sikeston bulldog2]

Good morning.

Minus short stop. Minus first. That leaves second or third. Now to JJ and Donovan. Both will play these two positions.

Which position needs the better fielder based on amount of play at the respective position and type of play needed.

That’s it. Put the better fielder in the position of greatest need.

[CardsBest]

3rd base is the tougher position and is more critical to team success. Often harder shots and longer throws.
Donovan can play both well but has been very good at 2nd. Wetherholt has played a lot more SS recently and been on that side of the field. If both are starting on the infield I would first try Wetherholt 3rd and Donovan 2nd. If they trade several olayers and start Gorman at 3rd which I doubt they would do it could be bad defensively.

[sikeston bulldog2]

3rd base is the tougher position and is more critical to team success. Often harder shots and longer throws.

On the surface I’d agree. But I think of the volume of play a second baseman gets, not including batted balls. Does a slick fielding third baseman, but a weak second counter each out.

[woofy25]

It’s clearly second base. They’re involved in way more action. Up the middle defense is emphasized more than the corners and that includes 2nd base.

[12xu]

Positioning: 2nd base is often involved in more plays due to its central location on the diamond.
Double Plays: 2nd basemen frequently participate in double plays, increasing their action.
Baserunning: More runners tend to advance to 2nd base, leading to more interactions.
Defensive Plays: 3rd base sees significant action during bunts and ground balls, but less than 2nd.
Stealing Bases: 2nd base is a common target for stolen bases, adding to its activity.
Fielding Opportunities: 2nd basemen handle a higher volume of ground balls compared to 3rd basemen.
Overall, 2nd base generally sees more action than 3rd base in MLB games

[sikeston bulldog2]

It’s clearly second base. They’re involved in way more action. Up the middle defense is emphasized more than the corners and that includes 2nd base.

I’m leaning your way based on amount of play, even without the ball.

Good debate.

[Idaho Cards]

Great topic for discussion, IMO
3rd Base Facing higher exit velocities at a closer distance to the hitter. Have to play North and South as well as East and West.
Obviously the throw is much different, asking for more arm strength and precision from farther distances.

2nd Base does involve the second base pivot and covering first on bunts, but these skills are more perfected by repetition, where the 3rd baseman's challenges involve more athleticism, strength, and quickness.

[sikeston bulldog2]

Great topic for discussion, IMO
3rd Base Facing higher exit velocities at a closer distance to the hitter. Have to play North and South as well as East and West.
Obviously the throw is much different, asking for more arm strength and precision from farther distances.

2nd Base does involve the second base pivot and covering first on bunts, but these skills are more perfected by repetition, where the 3rd baseman's challenges involve more athleticism, strength, and quickness.

Here’s a thought. Put arenado at second. How effective would he be- but put Donovan or JJ at THIRD how effective would they be. Just for comparisons sake.

[sikeston bulldog2]

I was a good ball player like all of you. Very good at short, even better at second; but, I could not play third. I hated it, and just couldn’t grasp the ability needed to excel.

So many say that second is a dumping ground for the infield. Third is a special type fielder.

[OldRed]

I know catcher wasn't in the questions, however, besides SS, I believe the catcher is the most important player on a infield. Teams can win with average 3rd baseman and second baseman.

[ecleme22]

Good morning.

Minus short stop. Minus first. That leaves second or third. Now to JJ and Donovan. Both will play these two positions.

Which position needs the better fielder based on amount of play at the respective position and type of play needed.

That’s it. Put the better fielder in the position of greatest need.

Donovan will be traded.

[sikeston bulldog2]

Good morning.

Minus short stop. Minus first. That leaves second or third. Now to JJ and Donovan. Both will play these two positions.

Which position needs the better fielder based on amount of play at the respective position and type of play needed.

That’s it. Put the better fielder in the position of greatest need.

Donovan will be traded.

Let’s say he’s not. What then.

[sikeston bulldog2]

I know catcher wasn't in the questions, however, besides SS, I believe the catcher is the most important player on a infield. Teams can win with average 3rd baseman and second baseman.

The intent is to determine the most needed position on infield. The exercise is an attempt to show where JJ would best be plugged into the infield.

This is a minus Arenado scenerio.

Yes, catcher is a critical position. Up the middle defense adding a catcher and Scott would be delightful.

[CardsBest]

Cardinals have many players that can play an average second base. They dont have many players that can play an average 3rd base. There are many players in MLb that can play an average second base but not many that can play average 3rd base.

Having Arenado at 3rd for so long I believe has some fans underestimating the value of defense at 3rd.
Arenado won many Platinum gloves at 3rd. I don't recall any second baseman ever winning a platinum glove at 2nd. Platinum gloves normally go to SS, 3rd, and C. Those are the three most defensive positions.

[ScotchMIrish]

Good morning.

Minus short stop. Minus first. That leaves second or third. Now to JJ and Donovan. Both will play these two positions.

Which position needs the better fielder based on amount of play at the respective position and type of play needed.

That’s it. Put the better fielder in the position of greatest need.

Second base needs the better fielder. Has to be able to pivot on the double play which is perhaps the most difficult play in MLB. Runner bearing down, facing away from the base you are going to throw to. A poor fielder at 2B, SS or 3B will hurt more than he can make up with his bat but between 2B and 3B no question 2B requires a better fielder.

That's why the list of sluggers at 3B is longer than at 2B.

[Adam2]

2nd base. You have more direct interaction with the ball and runners including double plays and covering on steals