Make your case in support of one of these 3B prospects

[clarence worley]

Longoria and Laroche are two prospects that I'm constantly flip flopping on. I used to have Longoria ranked ahead of Laroche, but lately I've been leaning towards Laroche. However, it seems that I'm hardly the only one that ranks these two very close to one another. So, this thread is a chance for you guys to make your case for which of these two should be ranked higher. I'm curious to hear what everyone has to say.

[nathan050904]

The problem is they are very similar players. I own both in my dynasty league and I have a little more value on Longoria. Why? I think Longoria may have more power then LaRoche and that makes him attractive to me. However, if I were to say who's the better overall hitter? I'd have to say Andy LaRoche. Both are quality 3rd base prospects probably top 4.

3rd Base Propsect Rankings

1.Alex Gordon- What can be said about Gordon that hasn't already been said? This guy is the complete package. He'll hit for a good average, hit for power, get double digit steals. He's the real deal and I don't think anyone can argue that he's the number one 3rd base prospect in the minors. He should hit around .300 with 30 + HR annually at the next level. I switch daily on him and Delmon Young as the best prospect in baseball. Today I put him slightly under Delmon Young at #2 prospect in baseball but, tomorrow I could have a different opinion.

2.Brandon Wood- I consider him right now to be a SS-3B prospect since the Angels have said they aren't giving up on him yet as a short stop. I believe eventually the move will be final. He offers alot of pop. However, unlike Gordon he isn't a complete player. Wood will probably never hit for that high of an average. He'll probably hit in the .270-.290 range with 30 + power. His power might eventually be a little more then that of Gordon but, both have exceptional power. I have him as the 5th best prospect in all of baseball (I am not counting Dice-K)

3.Evan Longoria- There were some questions about his power however, he erased those questions quickly in his pro debut. He hasn't proven it over an entire season and we've yet to see how he holds up at the higher levels. It'll be interesting to see how he does this year. He has a great bat. Should hit 30 + homeruns annually with a decent average. I like him alot. He is a top 20 prospect in baseball but, by next season he could be top 10.

4.Andy LaRoche- Great bat. Had surgery at the end of last season. This shouldn't be a problem. He is a great hitter. He should be a .300 + hitter in the majors with 25 + HR power. He could open the season as the Dodgers 3rd baseman. He's a little older then Longoria so I don't think his ceiling is as high but, he is still a very good prospect top 20 prospect for me.

5.Ryan Braun-Poor defense could move Braun to another position possibly the outfield. He has a good bat should hit for above average power (20+ HR) and should put up a decent batting average (.280-.300). I just don't like him as much as I like the other four players on this list. I suppose due to the fact I don't think his ceiling is as high as the other four. He's still a great prospect. He probably fits someone in the 20-30 overall prospects for me.

[TurdFerguson]

I think Laroche is a better overall hitter , and prospect ,than Longoria.Laroche has proven at every level, that he can mash.

[clevername]

I thought I had read somewhere (and maybe I'm getting him mixed up with someone else) that Longoria might end up switching to 2B at some point. I don't think it has been seriously entertained, but I thought I saw it mentioned on this board at some point.

While he's a quality 3B prospect, he'd be a tremendous 2B prospect if that change ever happened.

[High Heater]

i value LaRoche quite a bit ahead of Longoria.

LaRoche has exceptional more power imo, and had a monster year last year. he's gonna be a stud 3B really soon. i see Longoria more of a 2B with less pop but a higher on base %.

[hybrid]

Longoria is a better 3B prospect to me. He has a better bat and has proven more at a younger age. LaRoche may have more raw power, but Longoria is a better hitter and should bring as much in game power. You look at LaRoche and for the most part he has been a year or so older then you would like for top prospects ... also he seems to have a habit of doing just alright or decent, then he repeats the league and has much better luck. For my money Longoria is a better all-around talent.

[ChipperJonesFanatic]

I thought I had read somewhere (and maybe I'm getting him mixed up with someone else) that Longoria might end up switching to 2B at some point. I don't think it has been seriously entertained, but I thought I saw it mentioned on this board at some point.

While he's a quality 3B prospect, he'd be a tremendous 2B prospect if that change ever happened.

I have also heard of this. He was doing this because they have Iwamura locked up for a while, and they want to get his bat in to the lineup. They were thinking of either trading Cantu, or moving him to first. There was also rumors saying Elijah Dukes will be moving to first.

As to who I like more. I have been leaning towards Longoria. I really like his power potential. I don't think that LaRoche will hit 30 HRs, but he will have the better Avg. Both are exceptional.

[ChipperJonesFanatic]

I thought I had read somewhere (and maybe I'm getting him mixed up with someone else) that Longoria might end up switching to 2B at some point. I don't think it has been seriously entertained, but I thought I saw it mentioned on this board at some point.

While he's a quality 3B prospect, he'd be a tremendous 2B prospect if that change ever happened.

I have also heard of this. He was doing this because they have Iwamura locked up for a while, and they want to get his bat in to the lineup. They were thinking of either trading Cantu, or moving him to first. There was also rumors saying Elijah Dukes will be moving to first.

As to who I like more. I have been leaning towards Longoria. I really like his power potential. I don't think that LaRoche will hit 30 HRs, but he will have the better Avg. Both are exceptional.

[High Heater]

if i had to rankem right now:

Alex Gordon - exceptional all around player. seems like a virtual lock to post .300-30-100 on a yearly basis with some 10 SB's sprinkled in there. to me hes the safest prospect to reach his potential.

Brandon Wood - extreme power and quick athleticism. hes got alot of pop in his bat which should put him over even LaRoche in my eyes who i think has alot of power himself. the switch to 3B will be permanent i think. his Strike-Outs are worrisome to me. i dont think he will ever hit .300+ but he should dangle around .260-.285

Andy LaRoche - has a ton of raw power like his older brother Adam. hits the ball with square contact to all fields. and should post better averages then Wood imo. somewhat old for his positioning over the past couple years. had a great come-back year last year to re-establish himself.

Evan Longoria - the top college hitting prospect to come out of last years draft imo. he has a very good bat, hits for power average and has a good solid judgement of the strikezone. i think he needs more time adjusting to 3B from his days at 2B in college. should be a star player in the majors on a much more fast pace then people think.

[05worldserieschamps]

I have Longoria over LaRoche. I like LaRoche, but Longoria raked last year. I like his build and upside, and think he has a little more power.