Ryan Braun vs. Josh Hamilton

[Sevon]

Supposedly, Hamilton has been working on his baserunning skills all off-season. He plans on stealing bases this year.

Are you guys taking this into consideration? If not, how does that affect things?

I think everyone can see Braun going 40/20....but what if Hamilton can too?

Many seem to think Hamilton will put up the better Runs and RBIs due to lineup and/or stadium.

Now if their power/speed numbers fall closer in line, does that make Hamilton the best bet?

[Yoda]

Supposedly, Hamilton has been working on his baserunning skills all off-season. He plans on stealing bases this year.

Are you guys taking this into consideration? If not, how does that affect things?

I think everyone can see Braun going 40/20....but what if Hamilton can too?

Many seem to think Hamilton will put up the better Runs and RBIs due to lineup and/or stadium.

Now if their power/speed numbers fall closer in line, does that make Hamilton the best bet?

I don't think Hamilton will run that much. His body takes a lot of toll in CF and he has some big bats behind him. I'd say 15 would be tops.

Hamilton also started to get pitched around a ton especially in the second half. Teams caught on that he was really good or something.

[Sevon]

I don't think Hamilton will run that much. His body takes a lot of toll in CF and he has some big bats behind him. I'd say 15 would be tops.

Hamilton also started to get pitched around a ton especially in the second half. Teams caught on that he was really good or something.

The only things I know for sure is:

1. He screwed up his swing big time during the HR derby. It took him some time to straighten that back out. He finally did as his 34 hits and .366 average in September testify, although his power was still affected.

2. Once Kinsler got hurt, his RBIs suffered tremendously.

3. Once Bradley started to succumb to injuries in the second half, he really didn't have any protection. I think he should have more protection this year with hopefully a healthy Blalock and/or improved C.Davis and N.Cruz.

4. They say he has decent wheels. Maybe that only translates to 15 steals. I don't know. But every bit helps. And makes it harder to distinguish between Hamilton and Braun.


And let me just say that I had both of these guys last year. It really is painful to have to choose between them this year.

[Yoda]

I don't think Hamilton will run that much. His body takes a lot of toll in CF and he has some big bats behind him. I'd say 15 would be tops.

Hamilton also started to get pitched around a ton especially in the second half. Teams caught on that he was really good or something.

The only things I know for sure is:

1. He screwed up his swing big time during the HR derby. It took him some time to straighten that back out. He finally did as his 34 hits and .366 average in September testify, although his power was still affected.

2. Once Kinsler got hurt, his RBIs suffered tremendously.

3. Once Bradley started to succumb to injuries in the second half, he really didn't have any protection. I think he should have more protection this year with hopefully a healthy Blalock and/or improved C.Davis and N.Cruz.

4. They say he has decent wheels. Maybe that only translates to 15 steals. I don't know. But every bit helps. And makes it harder to distinguish between Hamilton and Braun.


And let me just say that I had both of these guys last year. It really is painful to have to choose between them this year.

Well, there wasn't any way he was going to keep up that pace regardless of Kinsler's injury or the HR derby.

Pitchers will simply pitch around him. If anything, I'd pass on Hamilton and grab Davis/Cruz/Blalock.

[The Artful Dodger]

Hmmm...I think Sizemore vs. Braun was and is a bigger debate than Braun vs. Hamilton.

FWIW, I'll go with Braun. If he didn't have the rib cage problems late last year, he would've hit 40 HR and hit for a .290-300 average. He still has some room for improvement, namely in cutting down his K's and taking a few more walks. Not to say Hamilton can't improve either, but in a keeper/dynasty, the edge is clearer for Braun.

[reenum]

I'd say Braun. Even though Hamilton has done well over the past couple of seasons, I still worry about the second half fade.

I'm not sure if that's totally a conditioning matter either. From what I've heard, the heat in Dallas is very oppressive in the summer, and has succeeded in wearing guys down by August/Sept.

[RAmst23]

Braun.

I think 2009 will be a repeat for Hamilton, minus the awesome RBI totals. Strong first half, injuries cause him to slow down in the 2nd half.

[BJSFAN123]

I could see them ending up with pretty similar numbers, Hamilton is more of a risk though because of injury. I'm not too worried about his 2nd half, considering it was his first full season and he was really still getting into shape.

[hot4tx]

I think Braun will outproduce Hamilton in all 5 cats.

Cryptic answer here. So who would you go with?

[northjersey78]

Braun