Who does Betts remind you of?

[dustcover]

The way Mookie's playing, both offensively and defensively, Roberto Clemente comes to my mind. High average, hits for power, RBI's, speed on the base paths as well as in the field, and a great arm. But, also importantly he's an exciting player to watch as soon as he takes the field and he appears to be a class act.

[vjcsmoke]

Pedroia with more power? I've rarely seen a player of his stature really stroke the ball so well and with such real power. His bat speed is obviously incredible for him to generate those 30+ homeruns.

 

Mookie is kind of a unique player really. Complete package, offensively, defensively, speed. He's your 5-tool player.

 

I'm just happy the Red Sox have obtained the unicorn! Looks like an All-star for many years to come! You don't often get this level of player out of a ... 5th round draft pick??? Amazing!

[a700hitter]

The way Mookie's playing, both offensively and defensively, Roberto Clemente comes to my mind. High average, hits for power, RBI's, speed on the base paths as well as in the field, and a great arm. But, also importantly he's an exciting player to watch as soon as he takes the field and he appears to be a class act.

Good comparison. Clemente also had a slight but wiry build. Betts has shown a really improved arm lately, but Clemente had a canon. Betts has better HR power. But yes I can see the comparison.

[Dojji]

This thread will be interesting to read in 5 years or so

[moonslav59]

Vladamir Guerrero before his legs gave way.

 

[StephenCurry30]

He reminds me of a better version of Andrew McCutchen

[a700hitter]

Vladamir Guerrero before his legs gave way.

 

I am not seeing that at all

[cp176]

Good comparison. Clemente also had a slight but wiry build. Betts has shown a really improved arm lately, but Clemente had a canon. Betts has better HR power. But yes I can see the comparison.

 

Wow - the great and I mean great Roberto Clemente - one of my all time favorites. You could go so far as to say a young Hank Aaron! I'm not sure that they are fair comparisons just yet but I sure as heck would be trying to lock this kid up for a long time soon.

[Spudboy]

He reminds me of a better version of Andrew McCutchen

 

Bingo.

[moonslav59]

Vladamir Guerrero before his legs gave way.

I am not seeing that at all.

 

Vlad did have a gun, although it was sometimes erratic.

 

He stole 37 and 40 bases when his legs were good.

 

He had 35-45 HR power.

 

His career line:

.318/.379/.553/.931

 

Mookie this year:

.319/.359/.560/.919

 

Mookies' not as big as Vlad was, but he still reminds me of the way he hit line drives all over the place.

 

[oldtimer]

Vladamir Guerrero before his legs gave way.

I am not seeing that at all.

 

Vlad did have a gun, although it was sometimes erratic.

 

He stole 37 and 40 bases when his legs were good.

 

He had 35-45 HR power.

 

His career line:

.318/.379/.553/.931

 

Mookie this year:

.319/.359/.560/.919

 

Mookies' not as big as Vlad was, but he still reminds me of the way he hit line drives all over the place.

 

 

Probably those drafting looked at the stature and didn't project the kind of player he has become. Part of his strength is his desire to listen and learn. I don't see a lot of apt comparisons here. He is unique. Maybe a little like Ricky Henderson but not asked to be the base stealing threat.

[a700hitter]

Vladamir Guerrero before his legs gave way.

I am not seeing that at all.

 

Vlad did have a gun, although it was sometimes erratic.

 

He stole 37 and 40 bases when his legs were good.

 

He had 35-45 HR power.

 

His career line:

.318/.379/.553/.931

 

Mookie this year:

.319/.359/.560/.919

 

Mookies' not as big as Vlad was, but he still reminds me of the way he hit line drives all over the place.

 

When I watch a player, it doesn't conjure up memories of another player's stat line. It may remind me of the way another player played the game, but not their stat lines. In addition to the huge differences in stature, Vlad was a bad ball hitter. He would hit Home Runs off the pitches that were inches off the ground or head high. That is not Betts.

 

I can see the Clemente comparison, but not Vlad.

[Thunder]

Does Mookie have to remind you of anyone? Last time I checked, once in a lifetime players don't resemble anybody else.

[moonslav59]

When I watch a player, it doesn't conjure up memories of another player's stat line. It may remind me of the way another player played the game, but not their stat lines. In addition to the huge differences in stature, Vlad was a bad ball hitter. He would hit Home Runs off the pitches that were inches off the ground or head high. That is not Betts.

 

I can see the Clemente comparison, but not Vlad.

 

It wasn't the stat line that made me think of Vlad. I looked that up afterwards. It's the swing, the quick wrists, the line drive hits. I was actually surprised to see the stat line that close.

 

[moonslav59]

The Clemente comp is a good one.

[cp176]

Maybe I need to be corrected on this one but I grew up watching Clemente run around out there in right field but what I seem to remember most was that no pitched ball was a safe pitch to him. Seems to me that if it was anywhere near the plate , he took a whack at it.

[cp176]

Does Mookie have to remind you of anyone? Last time I checked, once in a lifetime players don't resemble anybody else.

 

 

no - just for fun

[dustcover]

This thread will be interesting to read in 5 years or so

And hopefully if the Lord's willing I'll still be around to read it!

[dustcover]

I'm just a bit surprised that no one mentioned a young Al Kaline.

[a700hitter]

I'm just a bit surprised that no one mentioned a young Al Kaline.

My recollection of Kaline was in the mid-1960's. By that that time, he was already in his prime.

[a700hitter]

I'm just a bit surprised that no one mentioned a young Al Kaline.

But yes I can see that too.

[Hugh2]

Betts kind of reminds me of a younger Carlos Beltran. Great tools across the board on both sides of the ball.

[a700hitter]

Betts kind of reminds me of a younger Carlos Beltran. Great tools across the board on both sides of the ball.

I can see that too.

[Jasonbay44]

I think the McCutchen comparison is a good one. Betts is a little better at his age than McCutchen was, but they remind me a lot of each other. 5 tool players, who don't look like power hitters but can hit 30 homers and drive in 100, with great speed, great defense and are good base runners.

[Emp9]

Does Mookie have to remind you of anyone? Last time I checked, once in a lifetime players don't resemble anybody else.

 

True. In that case, I just might be in the market for a new avatar soon.

[Jack Flap]

The lovechild of Babe Ruth and Ted Williams, with a touch of Moses, King Leonidas from 300, and Optimus Prime.

[mrguit]

He reminds me a little of Hank Aaron. He has to lay off that outside and low slider though.

[dustcover]

The all around play of Betts recently brought to mind the great play of Minnesota's Tony Oliva, who had to share the limelight with Killebrew, Carew, and Allison!

[Spudboy]

Oliva was one of the all-time greats.

[sk7326]

A comp is fairly hard because he has been so confounding relative to his expectations. Like a younger, skinnier Kirby Puckett at this rate.