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Friday, August 03, 2007

Beltre is making a statement as American League’s best defensive third baseman

Adrian Beltre…another graduate of the Celerino Sánchez School of Upper Chest Dents.

If Beltre played soccer or hockey, there’s no question he’d be a goalkeeper, because that’s how he plays third base. Part of what sets him apart is that when he gets a bad bounce or tough hop, he will slap it down instead of trying to catch it. With the strength of his arm, he can often then pick it up and fire in time.

“I don’t know if that’s a bad habit or not,” Beltre said. “When a ball is hit hard and it has like a tricky bounce where you’re not going to get it, I just try to block it and keep it in front of me.

“It’s a short distance from home to first, but if I can keep it close to me, there’s a good chance I can pick it up and throw to first base and get the guy.”

Repoz Posted: August 03, 2007 at 03:43 AM | 11 comment(s) | Login to Bookmark
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1. Frisco Cali Posted: August 03, 2007 at 12:30 PM (#2468977)

He has been for awhile, right?

2. RoyalsRetro (AG#1F) Posted: August 03, 2007 at 12:45 PM (#2468985)

Too bad sportswriters have a policy of only giving Gold Gloves to guys who have won the award multiple times up until about three years after they stop hitting, then they pick someone new.

3. Cowboy Popup Posted: August 03, 2007 at 12:53 PM (#2468996)

Too bad sportswriters

It's the managers, but your overall point stands.

4. Shredder Posted: August 03, 2007 at 01:29 PM (#2469016)

He has been for awhile, right?

Only since 2005.

5. DCA Posted: August 03, 2007 at 01:36 PM (#2469022)

Too bad sportswriters have a policy of only giving Gold Gloves to guys who have won the award multiple times up until about three years after they stop hitting, then they pick someone new.

That means Beltre's got a shot this year.

6. Esoteric Posted: August 03, 2007 at 01:48 PM (#2469038)

#5 - Check Beltre's batting line this year, DCA. It's not 2004 good (nothing ever will be, talk about a contract year), but it's definitely worthy. He was scorching hot in July, too. I think David Pinto put it best by saying that the Beltre contract is still not a smart deal, but it's by no means a bust given the way he's been playing over the last year.

7. Loren F.'s well-anchored glenoid Posted: August 03, 2007 at 02:20 PM (#2469073)

It's my impression that Beltre has always been a hard worker, and his Seattle return to pre-2004 hitting was not for lack of effort, at least.

8. The Ghost of Sox Fans Past

Posted: August 03, 2007 at 03:15 PM (#2469115)

While he's always been good, IMHO, Adrian has stepped up his glovework this year. His throws are the most amazing part to me. I play some third in softball, and my older-than-Julio-Franco arm starts to hurt just watching some of them. He charges dribblers and fires the ball across his body while he still has momentum toward home.

He was robbed of a play-of-the-year nomination by the 1B ump a couple weeks ago. Hard shot down 3B line, he dives, gloves it, rolls into foul territory, and throws before he stops rolling. Replay shows he got 'em by an eyelash.

He's actua;lly been hitting like a $64 million dollar man recently, too, though I think it is a hot streak rather than 2004 redux.

9. Charlie O Posted: August 03, 2007 at 06:22 PM (#2469441)

Just from my observations, not statistics, it looks we have several really good fielders at third base. Maybe these guys just play their best when I'm watching but the award could have gone to any of Beltre, Chavez, Inge, Lowell, or Crede in the past couple of seasons and I wouldn't have a complaint.

10. AROM Posted: August 03, 2007 at 06:34 PM (#2469470)

In today's salary structure, a guy who can hit 280/330/480 in a hitters park, play everyday, and give you gold glove defense at third is easily worth 13 million per year. That's about a 4 win over replacement player. At 4 mil per win (the going rate last offseason) I would go so far as to say Beltre's signing was a smart deal.

I hate watching him play in the middle of an Angels-Mariners game because I'm rooting for him (and all his teammates) to do something to lose the game, but once the game's over and the emotions subside, I can really appreciate his play. The other day he made a play on a broken bat groundball where he had to field the ball while jumping over the bat. Nice play.

11. baudib Posted: August 03, 2007 at 06:39 PM (#2469497)

I may have been the only one but I thought Beltre was better than Rolen when he was in the NL.

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Friday, August 03, 2007

Beltre is making a statement as American League’s best defensive third baseman

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