Campana-yes. Eaton-no.

[BC867]

I have attached a recap I put together showing the D'backs top 17 position players' averages for ON BASE PERCENTAGE, SLUGGING PERCENTAGE and the combination of the two -- OPS (ON BASE + SLUGGING PERCENTAGE).

In choosing a more effective leadoff hitter, Campana's .370 ON BASE PERCENTAGE was second to only Goldy's .401. Eaton was 15th on the team, with an OBP of .314. Fifteenth on the team!

Eaton came in 15th in OBP and 13th in SLG PCT for a combined 14th in OPS.
Campana came in 2nd in OBP and beat Eaton by a point in total OPS.

And we know that Campana makes things happen on the bases better than anyone on the team.

I don't see why he wasn't given a chance to play at the end of the season as were Davidson and Owings. I hope he is given the chance in Spring Training. He is the prototypical leadoff hitter that we had hoped Eaton would be.

 

[AZ Native]

I look forward to seeing what a healthy Eaton could do. He was injured and missed half the season. Let's see what he can do with a full spring training while starting next year. My money is on him.

 

[Matt L]

Tony Campana had 54 plate appearances. That is a pretty small sample size.

 

[BC867]

Tony Campana had 54 plate appearances. That is a pretty small sample size.

I know. But, when Campana was used, he showed the energy and skills to be a true leadoff hitter and make things happen. I hope he gets a chance in Spring Training.

 

[Mulli]

http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/campato01.shtml

Watch out for regression to the mean with Campana.

 

[82CardsGrad]

This is not an either / or situation... It's a NEITHER situation! Both Eaton and Campana are NOT every day starters in the majors...
And, if I had to take one of the two for bench/platoon purposes, I would go with Campana...

 

[Matt L]

This is not an either / or situation... It's a NEITHER situation! Both Eaton and Campana are NOT every day starters in the majors...
And, if I had to take one of the two for bench/platoon purposes, I would go with Campana...

Just out of curiosity, why are you down on Eaton?

 

[Mulli]

Just out of curiosity, why are you down on Eaton?

The beard is weird.

 

[82CardsGrad]

Just out of curiosity, why are you down on Eaton?

I like the kid... but I don't see him producing at a level that equates to an everyday centerfielder.
His batting average, on-base % and steals are all ridiculously sub-par.
He doesn't walk a lot and he strikes out more often than a guy with his style of play should.
Honestly, I see very little in his game that argues for serious consideration as an every day starting center fielder...

 

[Matt L]

Do you think his high OBP in the minors was due more to the competition level and the hitters park in AAA?

 

[82CardsGrad]

Do you think his high OBP in the minors was due more to the competition level and the hitters park in AAA?

Absolutely... along with the potential of him not being able to step up and transfer his game to the bigs... It happens. Some guys, for whatever reason, just aren't able to match their minor league performances when they get their shot in the bigs...
I would say it's still a bit premature to entirely bury Eaton. However, in almost 300 plate appearances with the Dbacks this past season, I saw very, very little in him that would lead me to believe he's an every day player in the bigs...