Scout's View

Andy LaRoche, 3B vs. Andy LaRoche, 2B

Over my ten years of scouting professional baseball, there have been many times where I would suggest to players, mostly infielders, that their evaluation would be higher if they changed positions.

Our company uses the 20-80 rating scale: 20 being the lowest and 80 the highest, while the 50 score is considered the Major League Baseball average. Let's say a player comes to us playing third base. His arm may only get him an evaluation of 35. Move him over to second base and all of a sudden, that same rates as a 42. The obvious factors in – third to first is a lot longer throw than second to first.

Also, offensively, at third you want more power. A second baseman still needs to carry a nice batting average, but doesn't need as much power. Hitting 12-14 home runs for a third baseman is not good. For a second baseman? Its fine – maybe even a little better than fine.

Which brings us to current Pirates third baseman Andy LaRoche. Defensively, LaRoche will have one of the better arms for a second basemen so that won't be a problem. Third base is a reactionary position, while at second there is more time to see the ball off the bat – and to throw it. This is where being a third baseman will benefit LaRoche.

Footwork, however, could be a problem. Not that LaRoche is not a good athlete – he has played 1B, 2B, 3B and outfield. But I think he may have a problem with the double play turns. It can be worked on and improved, but initially it will be an obstacle. The angle of the throw, the pressure coming from the runner, then having to make an accurate throw to first.

Having said all that, with the addition of Pedro Alvarez, if LaRoche and the Pirates want to continue their relationship – it might be the only move they can make.

- Claudio Reilsono
Director of Professional Scouting/Lead Scout Paramount Scouting Bureau
& Head Baseball Coach Carnegie Mellon University