154 replies to this topic

[JeffLong]

Check out my analysis of Ryan Flaherty for 2013:

http://baltimorespor...-ryan-flaherty/

[LanceRinker]

The proof is in the pudding Jeff, not the statistics. People love pudding more than they do numbers.

But good read, I'm also expecting a solid year out of Flaherty if he gets a prolonged opportunity for regular playing time.

[SportsGuy]

A good case of UZR overrating a players defense IMO. Of course, it's a SSS, so it doesn't mean much either way.

Was never impressed with Flaherty in the field and while I agree he showed some flashes offensively and does have good MiL numbers, he isn't someone that I would be holding a spot for.

[Can_of_corn]

I like how you say he is "only" 25 as if that is particularly young for a player getting his first taste of MLB action. Flaherty is less then a year younger then Adam Jones and is only three months younger then Matt Wieters.

Other then a nice burst of power late last year I didn't see anything that really impressed me.

[Jon Shepherd]

A good case of UZR overrating a players defense IMO. Of course, it's a SSS, so it doesn't mean much either way.

Was never impressed with Flaherty in the field and while I agree he showed some flashes offensively and does have good MiL numbers, he isn't someone that I would be holding a spot for.

UZR/DRS/etc is not overrating the player. It is the misapplication of the numbers that overrates the player. What the metrics can show is that someone did well...not that they have the talent to do well again. Defensive metrics are not the most repeatable, but they are useful. Just like batting average is not the most repeatable, but it is still awfully useful.

[Can_of_corn]

UZR/DRS/etc is not overrating the player. It is the misapplication of the numbers that overrates the player. What the metrics can show is that someone did well...not that they have the talent to do well again. Defensive metrics are not the most repeatable, but they are useful. Just like batting average is not the most repeatable, but it is still awfully useful.

Of course when the sample size is this small it isn't very useful at all.

[Jon Shepherd]

Of course when the sample size is this small it isn't very useful at all.

It simply is not useful without seeing the nuts and bolts. This is when you go with scouting.

[JeffLong]

It simply is not useful without seeing the nuts and bolts. This is when you go with scouting.

Which is how I used them. I saw Flaherty as being more than capable at second base. I don't think he has superior range necessarily, but I saw the potential for at least average defense at second base. In this case the numbers support that.
It's also why I used the caveats I did when talking about his defensive statistics.

I think that the available statistics are useful as a means of getting a different viewpoint on what we saw on the field. For example, we talk about what we might not be seeing or what UZR might be missing when it has Jones & Markakis as well below average defensively. The value is in the discussion.

[JeffLong]

I like how you say he is "only" 25 as if that is particularly young for a player getting his first taste of MLB action. Flaherty is less then a year younger then Adam Jones and is only three months younger then Matt Wieters.

Other then a nice burst of power late last year I didn't see anything that really impressed me.

Comparing him to Jones or Wieters is pretty pointless in my eyes. Plenty of guys don't get to the show until their mid-20s.

[SportsGuy]

Which is how I used them. I saw Flaherty as being more than capable at second base. I don't think he has superior range necessarily, but I saw the potential for at least average defense at second base. In this case the numbers support that.
It's also why I used the caveats I did when talking about his defensive statistics.

I think that the available statistics are useful as a means of getting a different viewpoint on what we saw on the field. For example, we talk about what we might not be seeing or what UZR might be missing when it has Jones & Markakis as well below average defensively. The value is in the discussion.

He has a strong arm at second...didn't see anything else that impressed me.

His arm was erratic at times...his footwork wasn't great around the bag, his DP turn was poor very often and his range wasn't great. Can he improve? Possible...but he isn't that young anymore to the point where you expect a lot of improvement. Although, maybe he could get better as he gets more second base time.

[JeffLong]

He has a strong arm at second...didn't see anything else that impressed me.

His arm was erratic at times...his footwork wasn't great around the bag, his DP turn was poor very often and his range wasn't great. Can he improve? Possible...but he isn't that young anymore to the point where you expect a lot of improvement. Although, maybe he could get better as he gets more second base time.

I think that's big. Guys with a lot of positional variability like Zobrist or Prado do well, but they also tend to play one position for most of or entire seasons. I really do think moving him all around did a disservice to his offense & defense.

[SportsGuy]

I think that's big. Guys with a lot of positional variability like Zobrist or Prado do well, but they also tend to play one position for most of or entire seasons. I really do think moving him all around did a disservice to his offense & defense.

Certainly a valid point and something to look for as he moves on.

But because of this and his issues, I wouldn't want him playing second to start the season...at the ML level.

Perhaps when BRob proves he isn't worth anything anymore and if Casilla struggles, you look at Flaherty.

I will say this about Flaherty....I would want him to play everyday in AAA. I don't want him on the team as a UtI guy that never plays.

Navarro should be the UTI guy.

Let Flaherty develop at second base..defensively.

[Jon Shepherd]

Which is how I used them. I saw Flaherty as being more than capable at second base. I don't think he has superior range necessarily, but I saw the potential for at least average defense at second base. In this case the numbers support that.
It's also why I used the caveats I did when talking about his defensive statistics.

I think that the available statistics are useful as a means of getting a different viewpoint on what we saw on the field. For example, we talk about what we might not be seeing or what UZR might be missing when it has Jones & Markakis as well below average defensively. The value is in the discussion.

No, the numbers do not support it. The numbers are extraneous to the discussion in this instance based on how they are derived as well as the number of events they are describing.

[Can_of_corn]

Comparing him to Jones or Wieters is pretty pointless in my eyes. Plenty of guys don't get to the show until their mid-20s.

I was only comparing their age.

Flaherty isn't a "young" player.

[BSLChrisStoner]

MASN:http://www.masnsport...er-5-4-win.html

Ryan Flaherty was impressive at shortstop today.

"He's had a real good start," Showalter said. "It looks like he played in the big leagues last year. You saw him last spring. He had a play glove-side yesterday where he stopped, set his feet, his clock slowed down. Last year, he would have let that ball go as soon as it hit his glove. There was a chopper he stayed back on.

"At the end of the game yesterday, if you looked out there and said, 'Who's the big leader?' it would have been Flaherty, just the way he's carrying himself a little differently. You can tell he feels like he can do this and belongs. Nothing like starting a couple playoff games. That helps, too."

[Mackus]

I'd be surprised if he improves enough at SS for them to trust him as the utility infielder, but it's great that he's been working hard. If he can improve enough to be decent there, his bat should be a pretty big asset for a backup infielder.

[Mike B]

Saw this on major league highlights. Pretty terrific play at SS by Flaherty.
http://mlb.mlb.com/v... ... 7&c_id=mlb

Flaherty can play all 4 infield positions and the corner outfield spots. If I were him, I would grab a catchers mitt in ST, and make it real difficult for the Orioles to send him down. Versatility is tough to say no to.

[BSLChrisStoner]

MASN: This, that and the other
http://www.masnsport...e-other-48.html

Showalter continues to praise Flaherty at every turn, but that doesn't mean "Flash" is certain to make the club. Far from it.

"He's got some real upside," Showalter said. "He's had as good a spring as anybody here. It's going to be a tough one there, one way or the other. We're going to try to put our best foot forward, and if that includes Ryan, we're going to take him. I know he makes my job easier as far as having his versatility. You may even think about him if Nick (Markakis) or Nolan (Reimold) can't go in the outfield."

[bnickle]

MASN: This, that and the other
http://www.masnsport...e-other-48.html

Showalter continues to praise Flaherty at every turn, but that doesn't mean "Flash" is certain to make the club. Far from it.

"He's got some real upside," Showalter said. "He's had as good a spring as anybody here. It's going to be a tough one there, one way or the other. We're going to try to put our best foot forward, and if that includes Ryan, we're going to take him. I know he makes my job easier as far as having his versatility. You may even think about him if Nick (Markakis) or Nolan (Reimold) can't go in the outfield."

Flaherty will go down to get reg ABs at AAA. He'll be the first guy called up if any Inf goes down. Also, with a good year at AAA and or part time in Baltimore he'll be penciled in as the 2b for '14.

[Russ]

I feel pretty comfortable with Flaherty as the Roberts backup plan.