leadpipe wrote:Actually it's a very fair point, because a pretty common characteristic of star players in this league is that they are not going through growing pains at 25, they are already on their way.
Look at the Brauns, Pedroias, Jeters, Miggys, Pujols, Holidays, Fielders and the like from this era - then look at their seasons at the age of 25.
You can do this for basically any decade, and you'll find, as a rule, that the superstars came up in their very early 20's, and they were already stars by 25. Some exceptions to be sure, but for sure exceptions.
There's a difference betwen solid major leaguer and PLAYA. So, if it's not fair to compare Kipnis to those guys, it's doesn't make sense to argue he's gonna become a playa, which many here have alluded.
I like Kipnis. Hell, here he's real important. But those waiting on him to become a perrenial all-star are probably going to be disappointed.
And I understand your point about college, but the fact of the matter is, if you;re a playa, they come and get you, wherever on GGE you might be.
By the way, this is the crux of my arguments on this board with "prospect guys" who are excited about 27 year olds in the system. At 27 you aren't a prospect, you are simply not good.
I don't see where anybody has been naive enough to think that Kipnis is ever going to be comparable to the top 25 position players in baseball. Admittedly, I haven't read a lot of the bullshit that's been posted around here the last couple of months, but nobody's saying Kipnis will be the next Robbie Cano or Miguel Cabrera. If you're saying it as a vehicle to compare him to "perennial all-stars", I see that point.
One of the things that your definition of "PLAYA" has in common is that they hit for power. With the exception of Jeter in your list above, those are perennial 30+ HR guys. Kipnis will never hit 30 HR. His size is probably why he wasn't drafted out of high school.
I'll grant you that the Indians have zero PLAYAS, at least by the definition you're going with. As a result, Kipnis probably looks better than he actually is. And that's fine. I like the kid and I'd build around him because of his talent and his work ethic. He's infectious on a team that cares.
He may make an All-Star team or two, but no, he won't be a perennial all-star.
The whole point I was trying to make is that Kipnis spent as much time in the minors as Trout and Cabrera did. The age issue isn't his fault. Trout played 286 games, Kipnis 254, Miggy 368. The amazing thing is that in 368 games, Fat Miggy hit 28 minor league home runs. He's surpassed that every year but one as a full-time Major Leaguer.
Kipnis just doesn't have an elite ceiling.
A God Damn dead man would understand that if a minor league bus in any city took a real sharp right turn, a Zack McCalister would likely fall out. - Lead Pipe
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