Written by: Freddy Fitzsimmons
PEBA Think Factory
Monday, May 23^rd, 2011

Trends come and go in this great game of ours, and the PEBA is experiencing a renaissance of sorts at the second base position.  Just in the last few years we have seen Joel Swedlove, Rafael Suárez and Chris Holmes all come into the league and take it by storm.  2011 has been quite the year for the trio so far.  All three are young, talented, and look to dominate the position for years to come.  Who is the best?  Well, let’s take a closer look.

Joel Swedlove – Age: 23 / Bats: R / Throws: R

What we like: For being 145 pounds soaking wet, this kid has some pop!  Very strong power potential, and he is showing it this year, banging out 13 home runs and a .578 slugging percentage.  Swedlove can play second or third with ease and has a rocket of an arm.  His range is solid and he has an above-average ability to turn the double play.  Swedlove is also very fast, giving him the threat of the stolen base.

Needs to work on: His eye is just average right now, although he has the potential there to get better.  He does have the propensity to strike out, and that may never change.  I guess with all that power, you can overlook some problems here.  His base running instincts are also just average, which downplays his speed a bit.  His work ethic, by all accounts, is impressive, so he may be able to turn some of these things around easier than others.

Overall: Swedlove has the ability to be an All-Star type player for years to come.  If he could ever get a handle on his swing-and-miss problems, the sky would be the limit for him.

Rafael Suárez – Age: 24 / Bats: R / Throws: R

What we like: This kid just flat knows how to rake.  Shows a very advanced approach at the plate and will most likely battle for batting titles on an annual basis.  This is his first taste of PEBA pitching, and he is hitting .327!  That should tell you something right there.  He does not have the power of a Swedlove but will show decent pop and is more advanced overall in his approach.  Suárez is also no slouch in the field, showing above-average infield skills.  Base running is more than adequate and he should be a real threat there as well.

Needs to work on: Suárez, as far as we can tell, has no glaring weaknesses in his game.  His arm is only average, but that is hardly a concern at second base.  He does not have as much versatility in the field, but the position he plays, he plays well.

Overall: Suárez is an overall stud second baseman with strong leadership skills and a great work ethic.  You have to nitpick quite a bit to even say anything bad about the guy.  He will be a game-changer for years to come.

Chris Holmes – Age: 24 / Bats: R / Throws: R

What we like: Chris has amazing potential with the bat.  He may not be quite as polished as Suárez, but not far from it.   He also shows above-average patience, with power to boot.  The place where Chris really shines, though, is in the field.  He plays second or third with the best of them, and can even play shortstop adequately.  He’s very smooth turning the double play and his range is one of the best in the business.

Needs to work on: The one area of Chris’s game that isn’t above par is his speed and base running skills.  He is a below-average runner and will probably never be a real threat on the base paths.  His arm is also somewhat weak, but again, this is a small concern at second base.

Overall: Holmes is the best defender of the three and can hold his own with the bat.  I can see many All-Star appearances in his future.  Chris also has a strong desire to win and has shown great leadership abilities in his time with Crystal Lake.  This kid is a keeper for sure.

After all of the hoopla and arguing, we came up with a winner.  Rafael Suárez takes this one, although how can you go wrong with any of the three?  All of them are taking the league by storm, and I don’t see that storm letting up anytime soon.  Be warned, PEBA GMs; we have an invasion of second baseman on the loose!

What say you, dear readers?  Do you agree with the assessment?  Let us know how you feel.