I'm going to start a series over the next few days comparing or talking about certain players.
I'll list pros and cons and other stuff about these players. Just no analytics.
If wanting analytics, go pay for it or better yet, listen to a number of podcasters who pay for the numbers, then recite them as if they are their own
![Laughing :lol:](./images/smilies/icon_lol.gif)
![Rolling Eyes :roll:](./images/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif)
Today, we have a seven year veteran who has an average line of .248/36/10/29/10
and a player who has played six years and has this line.............249/30/6/26/21
Looking at these stats, you wouldn't think much of either player. The only stat catching our eye is the 21 stolen bases for the second player.
What if I were to tell you that both these players are being taken in the first five rounds of most drafts this year.
They are.
They are Byron Buxton and Adalberto Mondesi.
If somebody were to ask you the best skill of these two players, what would be your response?
Can't stay on the field.
Great athleticism.
Great speed.
Game changers.
And those descriptions would all be right.
But one thing both these players have is tits.
Let me explain.
Guys go gaga over tits.
Put a girl in a low top shirt and we're distracted. Let alone attracted.
Both Buxton and Mondesi have been wearing low cut shirts for years.
And we're still distracted and attracted.
So much so, that we forgive them for not being on the field and still draft them in the top five rounds.
And worse and here is where the 'fickle' comes in, we can't even keep them straight.
Over the last two weeks of drafting, we have drafted Buxton at 59 or the end of the fourth round and Mondesi at 66 or the middle of the fifth round.
Over the first six weeks of drafting season, Mondesi was taken with an average of the 48th pick or beginning of the fourth round (!) while Buxton was at 63.
Nothing has happened with Mondesi on the field-wise, but drafters have him falling more than a full round.
Of course, his GM, Dayton Moore did speak about what we have all known about Mondesi for years....his problem of staying on the field.
The 'Pros' for Mondesi are all athletic.
He can run like the wind.
Hit for a bit of power.
Play different positions.
Shown the willingness to steal a base at any time.
The 'Cons' for Mondesi are less but huge.
He can't stay on the field.
He can't stay on the firld.
And, he can't stay on the field.
Adding to the problem is his GM who like some of his non-drafters, lost total confidence in him.
So now, Mondesi really doesn't have a position any longer.
The Royals have Whit at second, Lopez at Shortstop, and Witt at third as their notion for an Opening Day lineup.
Sure, if having a great Spring, or even a healthy spring, things can change.
But Mondesi is running out of time and patience in Kansa City.
Remember, in real baseball, a guy whose main skill is stealing bases is not revered like in fantasy circles.
Mondesi may go the way of Jonathan Villar in being a Utility guy....even as soon as this year.
For his GM, a plain Jane while we still look at the cleavage.
Buxton is the same but totally different. Let me explain.
Like Mondesi, Buxton can't stay on the field.
He has played over just 100 games ONCE in seven years.
Once.
And that was five years ago.
We keep drafting him expecting different results and are disappointed.
He showed us his tits again last year.
In just 235 at bats, he hit 19 homers and stole nine bases. A 40/20 pace over a full year.
Man, we do love tits.
Where Buxton is different than Mondesi is that his team has embraced him.
They signed him to a new contract that will keep Buxton in Minnesota for a long time.
They invested in him like we are investing in him.
Buxton's 'Pros are that he has hit a homer in average of just every 11 at bats over the last two years.
He is going to flash delicious power/speed skills.
Probably moving up the lineup a lot this year.
His 'Cons' are that to show your skills, you have to play.
Buxton still hasn't learned how to play nice with fences. He dives for balls. He does everything on defense to negate his offense.
Fantasy drafters hate that.
We could care less if you make the great play. Just don't get hurt.
Buxton gets hurt.
I probably won't draft either player this year.
It would have to be a bargain.
And for these types of players, there is always one in 15 drafters who will take a chance on both and pay their outrageous prices.
Before you draft one or both, remember this...
In 13 seasons between them, both have played in 100 games, a low bar, one time each.
They are the "Do you feel lucky, Punk's" of our drafts.
Try to look beyond the tits.