Xavier Nady to Start in Right Field

Yankees manager Joe Girardi said this morning that if the season started tomorrow, Xavier Nady would be his right fielder over Nick Swisher based on what he did last season.

Nady had a Career year last season and Swisher had a career worst year. I would expect that both players will have a more typical to their career averages.

For Nady it would look like this .280 BA/15 HR/70 RBI/80 SO/.335 OBP/.984 FPCT/1 SB (because there was nobody covering the bag).

For Swisher it would be  .268 BA/25HR/70 RBI/100 SO/1 SB/.354 OBP/.986 FPCT.

So far this spring, Nady is batting .244 and has not drawn a walk. Swisher is batting .265 and has drawn nine walks.

The Good

Swisher: A switch-hitter with surprising power from both sides. Supremely patient at the plate. A clutch hitter and a team leader who hustles all the time. Versatile with with the glove a potential all star fielder.

Nady: Prodigious power and the ability to hit for a decent average. Can play all three outfield positions, as well as first base.  A decent everyday slugger that drives in runs.

The Bad

Swisher: For a patient hitter he doesn’t make great contact, leading to too many Ks. Can seem a little reckless at times in the field and on the bases.

Nady: Doesn’t have enough plate discipline to become an All-Star performer. Lacks the mobility to play the outfield with aplomb. Strikes out a lot.

When you look at all this information the choice to me is simple. They are statistically similar hitters, but then you factor in that Swisher is a better fielder and a switch-hitter with power from both sides of the plate. Swisher should be the man.

What do you think?

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