ESPN Analyst Dan Szymborski: 'Machado Is In The Conversation For Best Young Player In Baseball'
Dan Szymborski is a baseball analyst for ESPN, and he is also the creator of the Sabermetric tool 'ZiPS'.
Dan joined Ed and Steve to talk about Manny Machado being in the conversation with Bryce Harper and Mike Trout as the best young player in baseball.
Dan started out by talking about what makes Manny Machado so special, "the thing about Machado is people forget how young he is, he doesn't turn 24 for another month...his future is as bright as any player who has come up to the majors in the last 30 years." As for comparing Machado and Harper Dan said, "Harper is a better pure hitter but Manny Machado has the ability to play shortstop, and a shortstop who can hit is better than a 1st baseman or a corner outfielder who can hit."
Dan went over some statistical categories that put Manny as one of the best players at his age of all-time saying, "players who are where Machado is at his age are very rare." As for future contracts for Machado and Harper Dan said, "right now Harper and Machado, unless one signs an extension, will hit free agency at the same time so have all the money in the world ready."
Dan also talked about Kevin Gausman's future outlook and went over some other Orioles players and how they project to the future.