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| Scouting Report 1998 Season Pick your superlative for Alex Rodriguez. He hit 42 homers and swiped 46 bases, joining Jose Canseco and Barry Bonds in the 40-40 club. Only Ernie Banks ever hit more homers in a season as a shortstop. He drove in 124 runs despite batting second. He didn't miss a game. And he turned 23 in July. Hitting Rodriguez may have the quickest hands in baseball. They allow him to do several things: turn on inside pitches, wait on outside pitches and swat them with authority the opposite way, and club the low pitches with power. He feasts on fastballs, spraying them all over the field, and on low, inner-half breaking balls, which he pulls. Despite his wiry build, he's quite strong. He doesn't hit many cheap home runs. His weakness? Breaking stuff away, which he'll chase. He gets especially defensive with two strikes and goes after offerings several inches off the plate. Baserunning & Defense Rodriguez put his excellent speed to use last year, swiping the 46 bases at a decent 78 percent clip. He hits ahead of Ken Griffey Jr. and you can understand the reasoning. Feed Junior offspeed stuff and Rodriguez can steal more easily. Give Griffey fastballs and be prepared for a two-run homer. Rodriguez doesn't hesitate to take the extra base and is known for his all-out hustle, even on routine grounders. Defensively he's solid. He may not be a Gold Glove candidate, but his range has improved, he has reduced his errors and he possesses a strong arm that aids him on the double play. He's better going to his left than making a play deep in the hole. 1999 Outlook There probably isn't a more valuable player in baseball than Rodriguez. He's still just 23 and already has produced two MVP-caliber seasons. If he cuts down chasing bad pitches and draws a few more walks, his offensive production still can improve. Then there would be no dispute as to who the best player in the game is. |
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