Comments on: More on Zack Cox

By: Indiana Cardinal

Indiana Cardinal — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 12:35:19 +0000

Again I can’t believe how impatient everyone seems to be. Cox came virtually straight from college (about 15 rookie league at bats) to hold his own in the Arizona Fall League (which is rated as AA competition) and then after starting slow, again with only 15 professional AB’s that count, hit really well in a difficult hitters league for Palm Beach. Now he not hitting well in 150 ab’s at AA and everyone is down on him. I would want to see failure for the remainder of this year and all of next season before I would jump on the negative bandwagon.

By: Felonius_Monk

Felonius_Monk — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 12:17:45 +0000

Polanco’s played 2B most of his career.

By: Vision

Vision — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 19:08:29 +0000

I should add more content. I agree with Goldstein completely that the kid is not a big time prospect, doesn’t profile as a star, and never should have been given that kind of money, nor a ML contract.

Goldstein was pretty consistent with this. Remember, he had Cox rated behind Tyrell Jenkins among others on our prospect lists.

Way too small a SS to make any definitive statements about his career, but the scouting problems are much more important than the lack of results thus far.

By: Vision

Vision — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 19:06:34 +0000

Agreed completely.

By: zuke354

zuke354 — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 15:15:13 +0000

Good point. If the knock on a guy is all he can do is play ok 3rd base and hit, and get on base, that is not a bad thing.

I think we will see a gregression on power. Only 10 3rd baseman hit over 15 home runs last year. David Freese doesn’t hit alot of home runs and look how much this team missed him.

Polonco has had a great career as a third baseman. He is hardly a power guy. No he is not a longoria or zimmerman, but are those guys available in the bottom half of the first round?

I never discount guys who can hit.

By: Todd

Todd — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 14:02:17 +0000

No, I don’t hate Balboa. I pity the fooh.

By: Mrs. TLR

Mrs. TLR — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 13:58:46 +0000

Its unclear Zack Cox has much value in trade right now. It may be best to let him play for a few years in the minors, then promote or trade him.

By: JC

JC — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 13:27:12 +0000

Though many 3B have solid power its not a requirement to being a good MLB 3B. There are plenty of 3B that have had successful careers hitting for a good avg, getting plenty of doubles and 10-15 HR’s while playing avg to above avg D. I am not saying that all of those things are exactly how Cox will be but I don’t think I am far off. The question will be if Freese can stay healthy (heaven forbid!) the rest of this year and next while staying productive as he should if healthy what to do with Cox? If all goes well we will have a logjam at 3B with Freese, Carp and Cox. A good problem to have IMO.

By: Hugecardsfan

Hugecardsfan — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 13:20:56 +0000

It seems that Cox was a needs move that struggles under the scrutiny of the light of day. His bat may be good but perhaps not displaying enough power to play 3rd base, which is the only position his defense projects to play. His glove, while satisfactory, is not likely as good as Matt Carpenter’s.

We have three 3rd basemen, converging on the majors, one (already there) who would be more than good enough if we weren’t worried about a physical breakdown and niggling injuries. The other two leave a little to be desired in the power department.

I don’t think the Cox selection turns out to be exactly what we bargained for… Agree with those who suggest a trade might be in order if Cox starts to hit in AA.

By: Mrs. TLR

Mrs. TLR — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 12:56:58 +0000

Cox is going to have to work through adjustment to AA, it sounds like he is in a slump.
In the long run, Cox will be all right. He has to be able to hit for average and he showed this at Palm Beach. If he can field 3B and hit for average, he can play in the majors. He may need 3 years preparation in the minors to get ready.