I took the trip down to Bowie last night.
While the Roberts story was fine and dandy, I was there more to really see Machado, Hoes, Schoop, etc.
Machado really continues to impress me with his defensive play at SS. In the first inning, he made a spectacular play. It was a ground ball hit back up the middle and Zach Clark attempted to make the play but the ball bounced off his glove. Machado shifted gears on the deflection, picked it up with his bare hand, and fired a perfect throw to nab the fast Gary Brown at first. Very impressive play.
Later on, he made a tough play ranging to his left and made an equally strong throw to first. He also had a routine ground ball take a wicked hop at the last second and he still managed to stick with it and make the play look easy.
I've seen Machado at SS enough now to truly get a grasp of what he is. I've seen him make rangy plays to the left and right. I've seen him make barehanded plays, quick throws, and handle tough hops. The kid is simply a natural, and I'm not sure I truly agree with anyone saying he will grow out of SS. OK, maybe he does, but if it happens 7-8 years down the road does it really even matter? I think he could easily stick at SS for the immediate future and beyond, and be a pretty good one at that.
Anyone else that has seen him, let me know your thoughts. I know I can't be the only one who is really high on his defense.
Side note, I have seen him botch a play or two at SS. It happens though. The one play was not the easiest either.
