Comments on: Ranking Russell over Bryant: A Year Later, Does It Hold Up?

By: Drew

Drew — Sun, 14 Feb 2016 00:43:29 +0000

Given that chicks dig the long ball, it’s difficult to convince the public that kris Bryant isn’t a first ballot hall of famer–but maybe he is just Troy Glaus (which of course, is ok) But let’s put it this way: if Addison Russell is what Billy Beane said (Barry Larkin with power), than yes, Russell is in fact the hall of famer. In the immediate sense, Bryant is currently the more valuable player

By: Isaac Bennett

Isaac Bennett — Fri, 12 Feb 2016 14:10:58 +0000

I think the ceiling is higher for both Bryant and Russell than Rizzo’s is, though Rizzo is still the better player today. I expect that to change soon. But for comparison sake, I stuck with the rooks.

By: Joe

Joe — Fri, 12 Feb 2016 04:18:47 +0000

Not Rizzo?

By: Isaac Bennett

Isaac Bennett — Wed, 10 Feb 2016 14:07:20 +0000

Definitely right up there for me as well.

By: Jared Wyllys

Jared Wyllys — Wed, 10 Feb 2016 14:06:07 +0000

All things considered, Russell’s diving stop was probably my favorite moment of the season, honestly.

By: Isaac Bennett

Isaac Bennett — Tue, 09 Feb 2016 20:44:07 +0000

Thanks – I considered that, but for two reasons I went with Russell: 1) the BP ranking which created significant controversy and 2) Schwarber’s sample-size was enough smaller that I thought the comparison wasn’t quite ready. It will definitely be one to watch in 2016, though. If you ask me which player in the lineup a right-handed pitcher has to be most careful with, my answer is Kyle Schwarber.

By: Isaac Bennett

Isaac Bennett — Tue, 09 Feb 2016 20:41:48 +0000

Gotta keep the two-year age difference in mind. Bryant was still playing at USD at the age when Russell was playing shortstop for the Cubs. Russell’s tippy-top defensive ability is probably the strongest tool either of them have, with the possible exception of Bryant’s power. Russell probably has a higher upside with his hit tool, as well. Bryant’s baserunning and better-than-anticipated (by me, at least) glove make it tough to call…no doubt.

By: theguz

theguz — Tue, 09 Feb 2016 20:27:10 +0000

Great piece. Perhaps a more fascinating piece is between two more similar players–Bryant and Schwarber. Bryant beat Schwarbs by all of 16 pts in OPS last yr, but Schwarbs had a better K-rate, BB-rate, HR-rate, hard contact rate, and avg exit velo, all while playin a yr younger. He also played 2 positions, 1 far more demanding than Bryant’s, and one with which he was unfamiliar. Schwarbs had the higher BA in the minors, as well as the better K-rate and BB-rate, while having less pronounced platoon splits. As great as the unanimous ROY was, is, and will be, the aforementioned signs portend that Schwarber may be even greater–maybe as soon as this yr.

By: Joel

Joel — Tue, 09 Feb 2016 14:31:57 +0000

Interesting that you’d say Russell has the higher career upside. I can see that defensively, but Bryant is already a great hitter (11th in NL MVP voting), while I think Russell has a lower ceiling. What makes you reach that conclusion?