Is Vernon Wells over-rated?

[wkelly91]

Is it me or is this guy getting too much credit?

2004

.272-82-23-67-9 Compare that to T.Hunter....
.271-79-23-81-21

Ave draft position For V.Wells in mocks 60.7

Drafted spots:
77
55
32
52
65
39
54
75
64
94
69

Ave draft position for T.Hunter 139.38

124
136
144
154
147
130
122
158

Yes he is entering his 4th year in the bigs, he will be 27, but he no longer has Delgado protecting him

I think I would rather spend a fifth round pick on someone else and go for a Tori Hunter type in the middle rounds....

[Sunspot]

That is a very good rational, only, you are just looking at last season. The people that are drafting him in the higher rounds are attracted to his stats from the year before. He still has the potential to play that well, which would give him more up side than a Torii Hunter.
2003: 118 Runs, 49 Doubles, 33 Homers, 117 RBI, .317 BA

Now without Delgado it will not be as easy for him to match those #'s, but his 2002 #'s are definitely attainable.

2002: 85 Runs, 34 Doubles, 23 Homers, 100 RBI, .275 BA

I would consider those 2002 stats as the worst Wells will do this year. I actually am looking at him getting somewhere around:

2005: 90 Runs, 40 Doubles, 30 Homers, 100 RBI, .290 BA

[SPEEDY]

Toronto will be hurting to score runs this year so kiss his stats 2 years ago goodbye. The loss of Delgado only brings his protection and value in the lineup down. Yes he is overated. Still young and could explode but I would highly doubt that.

[Doc19]

Although I still have a bitter taste in my mouth after being one of the many disappointed Vernon Wells owners of last season, I cant help but think that he will rebound this year, even without Delgado in the lineup. Toronto seems to be young and improving -- Rios will most likely be much more productive this year, and should help set the table for Vernon.

30 HR -- 96 RBI -- 7 SB -- .295 AVG -- 100 runs is a fair projection I think

I do believe that he will outperform Torri Hunter, for what it is worth

[tlef316]

we had this exact same discussion about 2 weeks ago. Look at the jays lineup. It isnt murderers row, but its not horrible, not by a long shot. He's got decent hitters around him and will only get more and more help as alexis rios matures. His RBI's may be lower than if he was in a great lineup, but his other numbers should be very, very good.

Hudson
Rios
Koskie
Hinske
Catalanotto
Hillenbrand
Reed Johnson

Its not A-Rod, Jeter and Sheffield, but its far from horrible. Ive still got him in my top 12 outfielders. He's still got tons of upside.

[Brendo]

not a horrible lineup, but to address the comparison to Hunter, i think the big thing is steals.

There are plenty of Wells lovers on this board (I'm waiting Yoda) who will tell you he "could" steal 15 bags.
But the fact is he hasn't. Blame Tosca, or the GM, or the turf, or Canadian inflation, but he doesn't run

I think Wells is overrated, he could suprise you with a year like 2003, but then, so could Torri Hunter (.289, 29 hr, 94 rbi, 23 steals in '02)

[CC44]

there's talk in toronto that the jays will run more this year since they are lacking power, so you will probably see more steals from wells, among other blue jays.

[nikku88]

Wells battled injuries all last year, so it's not really fair to compare his numbers straight up.
I think he can come close to his 2003 numbers, but this year is a big test for him.

[The Jury]

not a horrible lineup, but to address the comparison to Hunter, i think the big thing is steals.

There are plenty of Wells lovers on this board (I'm waiting Yoda) who will tell you he "could" steal 15 bags.
But the fact is he hasn't. Blame Tosca, or the GM, or the turf, or Canadian inflation, but he doesn't run

I think Wells is overrated, he could suprise you with a year like 2003, but then, so could Torri Hunter (.289, 29 hr, 94 rbi, 23 steals in '02)

Addressing the Hunter-Wells comparison, I think Wells is more a slugger-type who is still developing, while Torii Hunter is a five tool baseball player, a can-do player, but not really a big-time slugger.