Who’s the better defensive 1B, Mancini or Mountcastle?

[Frobby]

I’m just interested in opinions on this, on a slow day following an off day.  

Mancini has started 57 games at 1B this year.   He’s at -5 Rtot, -3 Rdrs, +O.6 UZR, +1 OAA.

Mountcastje has started 36 games at 1B.   He’s at 0 Rtot, 0 Rdrs, +1.7 UZR, -1 OAA.

So, three of the four advanced metrics like Mountcastle better, but you have at least one that prefers Mancini.  

Fun fact: both players have a higher OPS as a DH than as a 1B.   Mancini is at .950/.717; Mountcastle is .779/.704.

Both the defensive stats and the offensive splits are based on very small sample sizes so you should take anything they say with a large grain of salt.

So putting aside the numbers, who do you like better at 1B defensively?

[bpilktree]

Mountcastle has more range the Mancini does IMO but he also hasn’t played the position before coming to major leagues and doesn’t look as comfortable with ball to go after or not.  Mancini is also better throwing to second to try and turn two right now.  Long term I like Mountcastle because of the athleticism advantage as he gets more experience there. 

[SteveA]

I honestly don't know.   Haven't seen enough yet for the "eye test" to discern a difference.   I think I have more confidence in Mancini to know what he is doing, things like scooping throws and making throws and things that come with experience at first base.   But right now I don't see a huge difference.

[emmett16]

I voted Mountcastle.  With SSS it's hard to say definitively, however I've seen Trey play a decent amount of 1b and he's never stood out as being anything more than average.  I watched Mountcastle a bit in minors and thought he was a decent fielder, very athletic,  but had a poor throwing arm.  I'm assuming long term that athleticism translates to 1b, but he has looked a bit shaky there this year learning a new position.  When it's a toss up, I go with the talent over the polish. 

[Three Run Homer]

Mancini is better at not having Pat Valaika run into him with the game on the line.  Nevertheless, I would like to see Mountcastle get lot of reps there because  that is his most likely long-term position.

 

 

[Ruzious]

23 minutes ago, bpilktree said:

Mountcastle has more range the Mancini does IMO but he also hasn’t played the position before coming to major leagues and doesn’t look as comfortable with ball to go after or not.  Mancini is also better throwing to second to try and turn two right now.  Long term I like Mountcastle because of the athleticism advantage as he gets more experience there. 

That's where I am.  Mountcastle is longer and more athletic - clearly has the edge in physical ability.  Mancini has the experience edge, but Mountcastle can make plays that Mancini can't and should improve.  It's a tough call now, but by next year, it should be an easy choice for the Mounty.    

[waroriole]

I don’t know who’s better now but it makes sense for us to give Mountcastle more starts there. He’s still learning and is likely to be with us longer. 

[wildcard]

Mancini will catch hard hit balls that Mountcastle is missing at this point.  Especially to his back hand.  I think its the experience fact. Both scoop balls well.   However, Mountcastle has the potential to be better with his agility.

Who is ... Mancini.  Who will be... Mountcastle.

[Frobby]

Mountcastle made an outstanding play on a hard hit ball down the line with the bases loaded.   He knocked it down on a dive and tossed to Watkins for the out.  

[RZNJ]

If Mountcastles OPS drops any further, I might not even care how his defense compares to Mancini.

[survivedc]

I can remember a few instances of Mountcastle not getting down on a hot shot grounder quick enough, or whiffing on a foul pop fly down the line. Don’t remember Mancini doing this, who clearly has the benefit of experience.

[interloper]

Mancini picks more throws and for me that's the difference maker right now. Mountcastle is pretty solid though.