Early Era SS's
Posted: Fri Feb 23, 2024 3:57 pm
I recently started looking at early era PEBA careers by taking a look at second basemen. I'm now going to continue the discussion by focusing in on their double play counterparts on the left side of the diamond.
One of the things that I realized in looking at second basemen was that some of the notable names we still remember were in the league from the get-go. The bigger names at shortstop came a bit later or, IMO, have kind of been forgotten. That's likely in part my doing, as I've focused my comments heavily on two players, but there's more to the shortstop story than them.
As a reminder, we're focusing on seasons 2007-2020, although I'll comment on some later players as well.
FIrst, though, the career leaders in WAR through 2039:
Career WAR by Shortstops
1. Ricardo Mateo (2028-2039+) - 73.4 WAR
Mateo is now the comfortably the greatest SS by WAR the PEBA has seen, well ahead of any other player at his position and still going strong at 33 years old. If you're like me and have watched the Leones move from contender to also-ran, you've likey been rebuffed in your efforts to trade for him. The Havana franchise icon will cross the 2,000 hit line in April 2040 barring any major injuries.
2. Juan Hernández (2018-2037) - 63.9 WAR
Hernández is on the 2039 Hall of Fame ballot and has had several voters comment positively about his chances. He was in Kalamazoo when I returned from my GM hiatus, so I don't have as strong a feeling about how good he was as others do. His best years were when I was away.
3. Chris Long (2014-2033) - 63.7 WAR
Long has been on my list as a great compiler more than a peak player. Consistency over flash, but he was recognized as one of the best in the league in his day.
4. Naomi Honma (2027-2039+) - 63.2 WAR
I need to deep dive into why Honma, who gets a TON of WAR value for his glovework, has only won one All-Leather award. He has hit better than I would've thought given my scout's opinion of his bat through the years.
5. George Riley (2007-2020) - 55.6 WAR
Riley is the early era SS I'm most intrigued by. I feel like he's been one of those unfairly forgotten players.
6. Ronald Lowry (2011-2025) - 52.8 WAR
Lowry's my guy! Face of the Franchise for us and one I'll always stump for... so just letting you know about that bias up front. As if you don't already know.
7. Ken Keddy (2011-2027) - 47.4 WAR
If Riley's unfairly forgotten, does that make Keddy fairly forgotten? I remember him having a good season or two, but wouldn't have expected to see him this high on the list.
8. José Rivera (2010-2026 - 45.7 WAR
Everything I just said about Keddy applies here. Although I don't remember Rivera as well.
9. Barry Wallace (2025-2039+) - 44.8 WAR
Wallace has been pretty good, but that's about as far as I'll likely go with him. We'll see on closer inspection.
10. Rodrigo Vásquez (2030-2039+) - 41.9 WAR
Just 10 years into a career that started at 22 years old, he's got potential to move pretty high up. That said, his park adjusted OPS+ is under 100. Hmm...
Other notable players:
11. Roberto Salazar (2027-2039+) - 41.4 WAR
15. Mark Richardson (2007-2017) - 37.6 WAR
There are a few other names that will likely come up when we start looking at individual seasons, but I think these are the ones worth starting with. One player not likely to come up is Bang-xao You, who I think never hit the peaks that were hoped for. Really good player, though.
One of the things that I realized in looking at second basemen was that some of the notable names we still remember were in the league from the get-go. The bigger names at shortstop came a bit later or, IMO, have kind of been forgotten. That's likely in part my doing, as I've focused my comments heavily on two players, but there's more to the shortstop story than them.
As a reminder, we're focusing on seasons 2007-2020, although I'll comment on some later players as well.
FIrst, though, the career leaders in WAR through 2039:
Career WAR by Shortstops
1. Ricardo Mateo (2028-2039+) - 73.4 WAR
Mateo is now the comfortably the greatest SS by WAR the PEBA has seen, well ahead of any other player at his position and still going strong at 33 years old. If you're like me and have watched the Leones move from contender to also-ran, you've likey been rebuffed in your efforts to trade for him. The Havana franchise icon will cross the 2,000 hit line in April 2040 barring any major injuries.
2. Juan Hernández (2018-2037) - 63.9 WAR
Hernández is on the 2039 Hall of Fame ballot and has had several voters comment positively about his chances. He was in Kalamazoo when I returned from my GM hiatus, so I don't have as strong a feeling about how good he was as others do. His best years were when I was away.
3. Chris Long (2014-2033) - 63.7 WAR
Long has been on my list as a great compiler more than a peak player. Consistency over flash, but he was recognized as one of the best in the league in his day.
4. Naomi Honma (2027-2039+) - 63.2 WAR
I need to deep dive into why Honma, who gets a TON of WAR value for his glovework, has only won one All-Leather award. He has hit better than I would've thought given my scout's opinion of his bat through the years.
5. George Riley (2007-2020) - 55.6 WAR
Riley is the early era SS I'm most intrigued by. I feel like he's been one of those unfairly forgotten players.
6. Ronald Lowry (2011-2025) - 52.8 WAR
Lowry's my guy! Face of the Franchise for us and one I'll always stump for... so just letting you know about that bias up front. As if you don't already know.
7. Ken Keddy (2011-2027) - 47.4 WAR
If Riley's unfairly forgotten, does that make Keddy fairly forgotten? I remember him having a good season or two, but wouldn't have expected to see him this high on the list.
8. José Rivera (2010-2026 - 45.7 WAR
Everything I just said about Keddy applies here. Although I don't remember Rivera as well.
9. Barry Wallace (2025-2039+) - 44.8 WAR
Wallace has been pretty good, but that's about as far as I'll likely go with him. We'll see on closer inspection.
10. Rodrigo Vásquez (2030-2039+) - 41.9 WAR
Just 10 years into a career that started at 22 years old, he's got potential to move pretty high up. That said, his park adjusted OPS+ is under 100. Hmm...
Other notable players:
11. Roberto Salazar (2027-2039+) - 41.4 WAR
15. Mark Richardson (2007-2017) - 37.6 WAR
There are a few other names that will likely come up when we start looking at individual seasons, but I think these are the ones worth starting with. One player not likely to come up is Bang-xao You, who I think never hit the peaks that were hoped for. Really good player, though.