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Reyes

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The only objective way to evaluate the talents of baseball players of the same position is based on the vaunted 5 tool system. These tools are of course speed, fielding ability, arm strength, batting average and power. Based on these tools, Jose Reyes is clearly the better shortstop.

Reyes and Ramirez have almost an identical style of play. They both count on speed, contact, and putting the ball in play. In this area, Reyes is far superior. He has arguably the best speed in all the major leagues. He has hit for a consistently high batting average over the last few seasons and does not strike out as much as Ramirez. Therefore, Reyes' speed, and contact/average hitting is better than Ramirez, even though at this point Ramirez has hit for a higher average during the 2007 season.

Ramirez, however has the upper hand in power. He will hit more homeruns on a consistent basis than Reyes. It would be surprising based on Reyes' swing and approach at the plate if he hit more than 10 homeruns in a season, while Ramirez is likely to hit in the range of 20-25 dingers.

The final two components of the analysis are the fielding ability and arm strength skills. Jose Reyes is widely known for his defensive range and low error totals in recent years, while Ramirez is regarded by some to be a bit of a liability in the field. Reyes has the upper hand in this category. Also, Reyes is widely known to have one of the best shortstop arms in all of baseball. His throws to first have been clocked at 95-plus miles per hour. Ramirez has no such reputation, although he may someday match Reyes' massive arm strength.

Based on this analysis it is clear that Jose Reyes is a much better shortstop than Hanley Ramirez. He is superior in 4 of the 5 tools that baseball organizations use to evaluate talent. Someday Hanley Ramirez may turn out to have a better skill set, but right now, Jose Reyes is far more talented.

Learn more about this author, David Teter.
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