Plays SS for the French 18U team.

 

Why A 16-Year-Old Shortstop Could Be First Woman To Sign With MLB

Plays SS for the French 18U team.

 

Why A 16-Year-Old Shortstop Could Be First Woman To Sign With MLB

 

Great for her. Does anyone really believe we'll ever see a woman playing MLB? Or even drafted for that matter?

Great for her. Does anyone really believe we'll ever see a woman playing MLB? Or even drafted for that matter?

 

No chance.

No chance.

 

 

What about a knuckleball pitcher?

I don't know why any girl would want to play with stinky boys anyway! Way too many cooties. :wacky:

I don't know why any girl would want to play with stinky boys anyway! Way too many cooties. :wacky:

 

You throw like a girl!:wave:

She's just been added to the registration list, meaning she's eligible to be signed. Almost anybody can be added to that list, although you generally have to have some potential. While she may be good, France and Europe in general is not exactly a hotbed for major league talent. Many of the top players in Europe are American Citizens living abroad with military connections. And while she may be able to make the plays, size and strength are a big issue. Can she generate the bat speed to be more than a singles hitter against legit pitchers, or have the arm strength to make the throws from the shortstop position.

 

I'm all for a girl playing...I'd love to see it happen. But I'm highly skeptical...if the US or Latin America hasn't developed a female player to this point, I doubt that Europe could.

She's just been added to the registration list, meaning she's eligible to be signed. Almost anybody can be added to that list, although you generally have to have some potential. While she may be good, France and Europe in general is not exactly a hotbed for major league talent. Many of the top players in Europe are American Citizens living abroad with military connections. And while she may be able to make the plays, size and strength are a big issue. Can she generate the bat speed to be more than a singles hitter against legit pitchers, or have the arm strength to make the throws from the shortstop position.

I'm all for a girl playing...I'd love to see it happen. But I'm highly skeptical...if the US or Latin America hasn't developed a female player to this point, I doubt that Europe could.

 

I know what you're saying, but...probably more than 75% of all major leaguers were shortstops growing up. Doesn't mean it's your position for life. If she had that good of a glove, I'd say moving her to second would probably be a legit option.

 

As to the bat...if she could only hit singles, but hit .300 doing it...I can guarantee you there are teams out there that would still love to have that type of player in their lineup.

What about a knuckleball pitcher?

 

Still no...

I know what you're saying, but...probably more than 75% of all major leaguers were shortstops growing up. Doesn't mean it's your position for life. If she had that good of a glove, I'd say moving her to second would probably be a legit option.

 

As to the bat...if she could only hit singles, but hit .300 doing it...I can guarantee you there are teams out there that would still love to have that type of player in their lineup.

 

I know a position at 16 isn't your position for life. I was a catcher until my sophomore year in college when I was moved to 3rd. And yes you can get away with a below average arm at second. But you better have above average range and an above average glove if you don't have a great arm. As far as hitting, 16 year old singles hitters don't project well at the next level unless they run extremely well. Those singles become outs at the next level playing against infielders and outfielders with better range.

I know a position at 16 isn't your position for life. I was a catcher until my sophomore year in college when I was moved to 3rd. And yes you can get away with a below average arm at second. But you better have above average range and an above average glove if you don't have a great arm. As far as hitting, 16 year old singles hitters don't project well at the next level unless they run extremely well. Those singles become outs at the next level playing against infielders and outfielders with better range.

 

Yeah, wasn't really arguing against anything you said. Just pointing out that she doesn't HAVE to play SS to play in the MLB...and that guys like Larry Bowa or Mark Belanger spent quite a long time in the show without being anything more than a singles hitter, and they didn't even approach .300 with regularity (granted, those were different eras too).

Yeah, wasn't really arguing against anything you said. Just pointing out that she doesn't HAVE to play SS to play in the MLB...and that guys like Larry Bowa or Mark Belanger spent quite a long time in the show without being anything more than a singles hitter, and they didn't even approach .300 with regularity (granted, those were different eras too).

 

Loved Larry Bowa. He did have almost 2200 career hits, and a .260 lifetime average....he could hit a little. Although playing on turf most of his career probably helped his average a little. But yes, it was a different era, and singles hitters are few and far between at higher levels of baseball. You need to have at least some power to the gaps with some potential to get looks now. Unless you can flat out fly.

 

Still, I'm always fascinated to watch girls play baseball at higher levels. I'm just really skeptical about this one because of where she is playing.