Best tools NL as voted by the managers

[thecrow124]

BaseballAmerica.com: Majors: Best Tools: National League Best Tools


Some surprises on the list, and a few Pirates even make the list. But Jeff Karstens voted as having the 3rd best control of all pitchers in the NL might be the biggest.

 

[element1286]

Definitely surprised they have NW as one of the best defensive second basemen.

 

[magnumo]

Definitely surprised they have NW as one of the best defensive second basemen.

I, too, was surprised to read that.

Living in Virginia, I don't get many opportunities to watch the Pirates (either in person or on TV). However, in those few games I've seen, I noticed that Walker looked pretty good around 2B. His pivots looked smooth, his arm looked good, and his range looked better than I expected. However, I thought that perhaps the small sample I had seen was not typical.

Apparently, he has developed into a pretty good second baseman. I'm reminded that he was voted the best defensive third baseman in the International League two years after the Pirates moved him from catcher to third.

I guess those frequent reports (indicating that Walker is quite an athlete) must be true.

 

[element1286]

His hands are really good, but his range isn't. Although I think he has made more plays in the hole between 2B and 1B in the past month than he has in his entire career with the Pirates. I think he is improving his defense, but I have a hard time believing he will be any better than average in the long run.

He definitely passes the eye test because he is such a fluid baseball player in everything he does; at the plate, on the bases, and in the field.