Advice needed: 2B or SP?
 

So I recently started an MLB expansion team set up in Charlotte. Have had the first overall pick twice now (shocker). I drafted this guy with the first overall pick in 2020, strictly based off of his prowess as a second baseman.

However, upon checking on his progress a few weeks later, I discovered that the minor league managers were using him not only at second base, but at starting pitcher. What??

I was confused, until I saw his potential as a starter. This kid has front-of-the-rotation stuff in addition to being a stud hitter.

So, I'm looking for advice. Should I try developing him into just a second baseman, just a pitcher, or take a risk and bring him up as a two-way player? I'm torn.

Here are his ratings. I turned scouting off for this, just so you guys get as clear of a picture as possible. These are his true ratings.

I am inclined to say second base, although that *is* some nice stuff. But if he doesn't fully reach his control potential, it might also be a lot of nice stuff for the bin.

id say let him do both until he reaches like A+ or AA. then make a decision based on development

2b

Any time you get a SS or 2b with exceptional offensive and defensive stats, treat them like gold. They’re extremely rare, a great offensive asset that makes your other pitchers better.

Starting Pitcher for now... then if he doesn't develop switch to 2B. Pitching wins in baseball, always has. And besides, how can you go wrong with a starting pitcher named Maddox?

Yeah let him go as a two way, at least in the minors and then base it off your team needs/development. If his arm develops I would be inclined to let him start and have him DH/PH a few days a week to get the bat in the lineup

yeah, that's a hof batter with health and ages gracefully. can't say that 100% for sure on the SP side.

has his velocity improved since the draft or just "94-96" entire time? approaching 21+ and so that starts to dwindle, of course. if it has been ticking up, it may not be done.

he's got 3 pitches that are likely to develop. so not too concerned about the 1 lagging.

is there a penalty to development for letting them be a 2-way player? i'm sure there's only a minimal cost to playing time which is only 1 of many factors. can always push this decisions down the road.

I would try both until he develops more. But I probably put like a 50 pitch count limit on him. Just to try and avoid injury.

How does he have a 40 grade infield arm while being 94-96 off the mound?

Maybe accuracy?

Definitely develop him as a two way player and see what happens to his ratings.

I had a guy who was an 80/80 POT as both a CF and a SP when I first drafted him (picture my delight), but as I developed him in the minors, his CF POT stayed at 80/80 while his SP POT dropped more to 48/80. I still use his as both, but while he is a Silver Slugger level CF, he is a bottom of the rotation arm at best.