Ben Zobist vs. Javy Baez for utility player?

captainbuttercream · 02-02-2019, 04:28 PM

I have both Gold Ben Zobrist and Javy Baez and I'm debating which to use for my utility player. My infield is pretty set until I get Diamond level cards. Javy has better infield fielding, crushes lefties, but his poor eye and avoid K make me hesitant to replace Zobrist.

Live Zobrist is a switch hitter who is good at his role.

Which card would you recommend?

Orcin · 02-02-2019, 04:34 PM

I used Zobrist all through the beta and he was great. He can play a lot of spots well and always hits.

landy2100 · 02-02-2019, 09:47 PM

I can't really speak to the zobrist card, but one of the first golds I pulled was baez. I despise that card because in 7 full seasons working my way up to diamond he only had two above average offensive seasons (OPS+ of 103 and 114). In 1070 PA in diamond his OPS+ was 79.

Granted, all but one season he put up positive WAR but those hitting numbers weren't good enough for me.

joehart · 02-02-2019, 11:22 PM

Another alternative to looking for a utility player is to take the time and build one over a few seasons. Personally, I have used the Diamond Zobrist in combination with Andrelton Simmons.

Simmons is already a top defensive player at SS and can easily reach 100+ ratings at all the other infield positions. Just give him enough opportunities to play and he will eventually get there.
You can do the same with other players (Ozzie Smith, Pesky, Vizquel, …).

If you want to decide between those two cards, Baez will be able to learn the positions better than Zobrist. Zobrist will always have a lower 3B defensive rating due to his low arm.
I looked at the past seasons, and could not find the Gold Zobrist as a reliable player in Perfect league.
He tends to perform ok at the lower levels but then disappear very quickly.

Baez can still return a 1-2.5 WAR at the gold/diamond level.
However, he also is hit and miss and I would not rely on him to produce great results every season.

02-02-2019, 04:28 PM	#1
captainbuttercream Minors (Double A) Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: Indiana Posts: 109	Ben Zobist vs. Javy Baez for utility player? I have both Gold Ben Zobrist and Javy Baez and I'm debating which to use for my utility player. My infield is pretty set until I get Diamond level cards. Javy has better infield fielding, crushes lefties, but his poor eye and avoid K make me hesitant to replace Zobrist. Live Zobrist is a switch hitter who is good at his role. Which card would you recommend?

02-02-2019, 04:34 PM	#2
Orcin Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Indiana Posts: 9,884	I used Zobrist all through the beta and he was great. He can play a lot of spots well and always hits.

02-02-2019, 09:47 PM	#3
landy2100 Bat Boy Join Date: Jan 2016 Posts: 13	I can't really speak to the zobrist card, but one of the first golds I pulled was baez. I despise that card because in 7 full seasons working my way up to diamond he only had two above average offensive seasons (OPS+ of 103 and 114). In 1070 PA in diamond his OPS+ was 79. Granted, all but one season he put up positive WAR but those hitting numbers weren't good enough for me.

02-02-2019, 11:22 PM	#4
joehart All Star Starter Join Date: Dec 2016 Posts: 1,131	Another alternative to looking for a utility player is to take the time and build one over a few seasons. Personally, I have used the Diamond Zobrist in combination with Andrelton Simmons. Simmons is already a top defensive player at SS and can easily reach 100+ ratings at all the other infield positions. Just give him enough opportunities to play and he will eventually get there. You can do the same with other players (Ozzie Smith, Pesky, Vizquel, …). If you want to decide between those two cards, Baez will be able to learn the positions better than Zobrist. Zobrist will always have a lower 3B defensive rating due to his low arm. I looked at the past seasons, and could not find the Gold Zobrist as a reliable player in Perfect league. He tends to perform ok at the lower levels but then disappear very quickly. Baez can still return a 1-2.5 WAR at the gold/diamond level. However, he also is hit and miss and I would not rely on him to produce great results every season.