White Sox 2009: Chris Getz
There's nothing at all flashy or impressive in any aspect of Chris Getz's game. Speed, arm defense, power, contact. And entering 2008 as a 25-year-old with 10 games and seven at bats under his career belt, you couldn't label him a young prospect nor a player with experience. But when you combine all that he does bring to the table, what you have is a baseball player.
Like Alexei Ramirez moving to short, Josh Fields (before Gordon Beckham) at third, and the combo of DeWayne Wise and Brian Anderson in center, Getz was one of the many question marks the White Sox had among their position players. But was also one of the safer risks among all the risks.
And that's what Getz brought to the table this season. He didn't make huge, quick strides like Beckham or further establish himself on offense like Ramirez. But he also wasn't dead weight like Fields or an invisible bat like Anderson. He was safe. Made the necessary plays, came through with some key hits and put up respectable numbers for a rookie and No. 8 hitter: .261, 18 doubles, 4 triples and 31 RBIs in 107 games. More importantly, he brought speed and efficiency, stealing 25 bases in just 27 attempts.
But for as much ground he covered on the bases and as reliable as he was in doing it, the same couldn't have been said for his defense or health. Getz's reaction time at second was always a hair slow and he was nursing nagging injuries all season. Whether it be a bruised right elbow, a sore middle finger, a strained oblique, or a sports hernia, Getz was on and off the field with regularity. Those injuries kept him from seeing extended time and in a few instances happened during some of his better offensive stretches.
Going Forward
When Kenny Williams is your GM, very few players are safe, but chances second base will be Getz's to lose in 2010. He'll need to avoid the injuries though. If not, Jayson Nix will be next in line.
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5 Comments
Jeff Buchanan said:
I don't see what Getz brings to the table. He doesn't get on base, he doesn't hit for power, he doesn't play good defense (his range is very poor) and he's already 26. If I'm forced to give him some credit he does have a solid contact rate so he could hit .280/.290 but it would be a very empty .280/.290 due to the aforementioned lack of walks and power. Whatever anyone says stolen bases hold little value and certainly trading in power, OBP and defense just for a little speed is beyond crazy.
I still contend that Nix is the better option going forward due to his ability to hit for power and play very good defense. At worst Getz and Nix should platoon next year but ideally Nix would be given a chance to show he can be effective against righties and not just lefties.
Mario Scalise said:
It's obviously a matter of opinion, but I think Getz has a brighter career and fits more with the Sox's needs. I like Nix, but mostly his versatility, because as much range as he has, you can't ignore the errors. And as much power he has, you can't ignore the .194 average against righties or the great majority of those homers being solo shots. I know, the Sox don't get on base much, but Nix's .224 average is nothing to be impressed about either. At the end of the day, I think Nix is a great bench player on the Sox, and a quality starter on a few other teams.
Defensively, it's not that Getz isn't good, he just doesn't have the range of Nix, but the tools are there to improve. Offensively, I think he has a better swing, better approach and will be more consistent. As for getting on base, I'm more interested in a player's eye over their walk total, because a walk is reliant on a pitcher not being able to the throw a strike. But put a pitcher on the mound that will throw strikes, and than a player's batting average comes into play.
Jason Gage said:
Nix was handled very well by Ozzie and only played in positions where he could excel and still barely hit above .200.
I realize people rave about his power, but his MILB numbers were mediocre and I don't see how Nix could do better overa full-season when he'd end up getting exploited by righties (who he didn't hit well at all) and see his average probably come even closer to the .200 range.
Nix's value is his defense, power, and ability to draw walks. Unfortunately he has major flaws to his offensive game and they prevent him from having a respectable average or OBP and his defense thus far has been less than stellar at any position other than 2B, which is an issue when your role is as a utility infielder.
Nix really needs to watch out for CJ Retherford who is quickly becoming one of the Sox top prospects (undrafted FA and all) and is raking in the AFL.
Hell, Getz might even need to watch out for CJ.
Jason Gage said:
Guys that can't hit .230 aren't starters. Jayson Nix, learn to hit and you might keep your job as a platoon player.
Even Ozzie hinted at the fact that Nix is going to have to improve offensively if he's going to keep his spot on the bench. Otherwise, Nix can say hell to CJ Retherford, who will gladly take the job as backup infielder on the Sox.
Jason Gage said:
Also, for more on the Nix vs Getz debate, check out our sister site, Soxtalk.com where there is a pretty lively debate going on...
http://www.soxtalk.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=75012
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