If The Badgers Were A Baseball Team..... (With Player Comparisons)

 

If the Wisconsin Badgers Men's Basketball Team turned into a Baseball Team... What position would they play and who would they compare to?

I haven't made a post in a while, and in honor of baseball season I decided to make a post on what would the team be like if we were a baseball team. I want to get back to making blog posts after taking a social media hiatus. Hope you'll enjoy this one.

 

This is going to be broken down in order of batting position as well as description of why I think they will play that position.

 

1. CF - Zak Showalter

 

Showy would make a great leadoff man and centerfielder in my opinion. The kid would run through a brick wall if you asked him to. He is also a big defensive presence so I think he would fit great in the middle of the outfield. As a hitter, he would get on base consistently, which is what you want out of your leadoff man.

 

Comparison - Aaron Rowand

 

While I believe his hitting would be better than Rowand's, I think he would bring the same defensive presence that Rowand brought. I mean the guy shattered his face running into a wall to catch a fly ball. If thats not hustle, I dont know what is.

 

2. SS - Josh Gasser

 

Josh is Captain America. I really dont need to say much else besides saying he would be our leader, and the Short Stop is almost always the leader. He is a great defender, and would consistent hitter that would surprise a lot of people with his power. Plus he is one of the most clutch persons I know, so hes got that going for him as well.

 

Comparison - Derek Jeter

 

Josh is like Jeter in the manner that he is popular amongst his peers. It is hard to find someone that hates Jeter, just like it is hard to find someone who hates Josh Gasser. Jeter sports a career .311 batting average, and ranks in the tops of many statistical categories in the MLB.

 

3. LF - Sam Dekker 

 

Some of the best hitters in recent history of the MLB have come from the outfield. Carlos Lee, Barry Bonds, Ken Griffey Jr.. etc. Sam has the smooth swing and power that is ideal for a hitter. He has the length and athleticism to make him a good fielder.

 

Comparison - Josh Hamilton

 

Josh Hamilton has made a name for himself as one of the bigger superstars of the last 8 or so year. He is a five time all-star, the AL mvp, and a 3-time silver slugger award winner. If Sam brought Josh Hamilton's blend of hitting and defense, we would not complain.

 

4. RF - Nigel Hayes

 

Nigel is a man of power. His build and frame would allow him to crank out homeruns. While hitting consistency would be in question, his work ethic would never be in doubt. He would own his segment of the outfield, and work himself into becoming a good hitter.

 

Comparison - Jermaine Dye

 

Jermaine Dye's career kind of starting off slow. He was known as a good defender, winning a gold glove award in 2000. As he moved into his prime, he was known for his power as a batter. He eventually led the '05 White Sox (greatest team ever) to a world series, winning the World Seies MVP award. He ended with a .274 career BA and 325 homeruns. Not bad at all.

 

5. 1B - Duje Dukan

 

Duje would be a solid addition in the infield. He has quick reactions and good hand-eye coordination, which would make him decent at fielding and picking bad throws out of the dirt. His height would also give him an advantage at reaching poorly thrown balls. He also has tremendous offensive skills which would combine to make him a solid hitter.

 

Comparison - Richie Sexson

 

Sexson was known for his height (6'8) at the first base position. He had a few solid years as a hitter as well. While he never hit the ball consistent enough to have a high on-base percentage, he was always able to get some power behind his swing. He ended with over 300 homeruns, with 45 coming in one season.

 

6. 3B - Traevon Jackson

 

Third Base is one of the toughest positions to play on the field because of the reaction time allowed. Most pull hitters will hit missles down the third base line. Trae would have the reaction time, and the arm strength to pull off some miraculous throws. His hitting would be questionable to me because even after 3 years of being around him, I am still not sure which is his truly dominant hand.

 

Comparison - Melvin Mora

 

In my opinion, Melvin Mora was underrated for most of his career. He was a very, very solid third basemen. He had some great seasons, with few, if none, bad seasons. His fielding percentage wasn't astonishing, but he was a solid defender.

 

7. DH - Vitto Brown

 

Vitto is a kind of hitter who would hit the ball a mile, if he made contact with it. This is not a knock at Vitto's abilities, but I think he would be the kind of strikeout or homerun DH that we see often these days.

 

Comparison - Carlos Pena

 

Carlos Pena was a super power hitter for many years. Although he hit the ball a mile, he struck out a lot (over 1500 times in his career), and his career .232 batting average is low. But that doesnt change the fact that he was an impact at the plate, and opposing pitchers feared him.

 

8. 2B - Bronson Koenig

 

Bronson has the speed and agility to make himself a good hitter for the bottom of the lineup, and a good fielder. He would not hit for much power at all but he would find a way to get himself on-base as much as possible.

 

Comparison - Freddy Sanchez

 

Freddy Sanchez has never hit for power. In 2007, he hit 11 homeruns (his highest total in one season). However he is a career .290 hitter. In '06, he hit .344 and had 200 hits. He had a 4 year stretch in his career where he was a solid, consistent hitter.

 

9. C - Jordan Smith

 

I think Smith would be a wildcard catcher. The comparison I am going to give him really has nothing to do with baseball.... youll see.

 

Comparison - Joe Mauer

 

This is the one position that I couldnt figure out, and knowing Smith, the comparison makes sense from a non-baseball aspect. Joe Mauer is the guy doin all the hair commercials with his spiked up hair and fancy attire. Well that would be Jordan Smith in a nutshell for ya. The kid put a lot of effort into how he looks, and I have a feeling the same goes for Joe Mauer.

 

SP - Frank Kaminsky (Me)

 

Pitching was always fun for me, and I was better at it than fielding and hitting. I hit the ball very far, when I made contact. My hitting skills were like Pedro Cerrano from major league. Anytime a breaking pitch came you could guarantee I would miss or just watch it as it gets called for a strike. Throw a fastball down the middle and you might be in trouble though.

 

Comparison - Randy Johnson

 

Randy Johnson was a fantastic pitcher who could toss some heat. We are both exceptionally tall as well so we got that goin for us. I dont think I would even make it as a pitcher, but if I dreamt of who I would be like if I did, it would be Randy Johnson. Plus his nickname was the Big Unit (giggle).

 

CP - Aaron Moesch

 

I dont know if Moesch even likes baseball, I just nominate him as the closing pitcher.

 

Comparison - Bobby Jenks

 

Basically because they are both white. And because Jenks was my favorite White Sox closer.

 

 

Well, there is my thoughts and comparisons of what our team would be like if we were a baseball team. Comment and let me know your opinions and thoughts of who you would pick and where.

 

The Moose