2016 TOPPS FIRST PITCH KRISTAPS PORZINGIS
It’s fair to say that most everyone sees Kristaps Porzingis as a future star the the NBA. If he played football, he could easily be a goal-line receiver that no DB in the game could cover. But where would Porzingis play in MLB? Usually the default position for a big guy is first base. It’s not too hard to see him being acceptable defensively at 1B. But would he be any kind of asset there?
It seems safe to say that with his throwing motion here, he wouldn’t be a candidate to be be a pitcher. That essentially leaves outfield as the only other alternative. If Adam Dunn could play the OF, why not Porzingis? You’d have to think that a 7-footer who could run and had a little bit of coordination would be able to steal a HR or two.
But what would he be like as a hitter? His strike zone would be huge. And let’s be honest, he looks like if you gave him a bat and directed him towards the batter’s box, he would line up as a righty with his left hand on top of his right. Maybe he could be taught to lean into some pitches and become the modern day Ron Hunt.
So, his offense would have two profiles. First would be – swing hard in case you hit it and second would be – take one for the team!
Good thing he can dunk and shoot from outside.
Back when he thre that pitch we all thought Phil Jackson was nuts for drafting him. Now we all love this kid. Sometimes, just as Sandy has shown, the GM knows best.
I was hoping for Okafor, since I had seen him play so much in college and thought there might be concern by others that he was “soft.”
But when both Towns and Okafor were gone, I was fine with Porzingis. Not sure why everyone was so down on him. I mean, it’s not like he was Frank Kaminsky or anything…