Daniel Murphy – The Functional Second Baseman

The battle for second base rages on, but the real battle for the second base competition has been based in assumptions with unproven characters (Turner, Murphy, Emaus) and a character that every Mets fan wishes won’t prove himself (Luis Castillo). Though its only spring training, I am putting my backing into camp Murphy. Here are four reasons why I think he will make the team as the starting 2B. 1. Murphy has MLB Experience Even if it was only for one season, Murphy has a leg up in the competition because he has put together over 500 AB’s at the MLB level. Turner had a small cup of coffee at the MLB level and Emaus has 0 MLB experience. Murphy’s stat line of 60/12/63/4 and a .266 BA looks very bad in LF/RF. At 1B, unless his defense was beyond gold glove it would be acceptable, but he was acceptable to good at 1st, making his stats there also weak. At 2B, if Murphy put up the same stat line with no improvements, he would be the most potent offensive bat at the posi...