pick one

Seth Smith or Mitch Moreland. If you had to pick one of these two players for your club, whom would you take? It would be hard to go wrong either way as both are having outstanding seasons for contending teams. Smith, from Jackson by way of Ole Miss, is the more established big leaguer, now in his fifth year with the Colorado Rockies. A dangerous pinch hitter who is playing more regularly in right field this season, Smith is hitting .316 (top 10 in the National League) with eight homers. Two of those came Tuesday, the second of which was a game-winner. Moreland, from Amory by way of Mississippi State, also grabbed some spotlight Tuesday, hitting a walk-off, upper-deck bomb for the Texas Rangers. It was the first career walk-off for the second-year first baseman and his 10th homer of the season. He’s hitting .294 for 2011 and .279 for his career. Smith is a .280 career hitter. Both are lefties who have their problems with left-handed pitching, but both have the kind of power that you love in the late innings of a close game. Both went to the World Series as rookies, Smith in 2007, Moreland last fall. That’s a neat feat. Here’s betting that at least one of them will get back there soon.
P.S. Julio Lugo, who joined the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday, was a force for the Jackson Generals when he played for them in 1999. For those who’ve forgotten, Lugo, a slender shortstop, hit .319 with 10 homers, 25 doubles, five triples and 25 stolen bases for the Gens. That’s a great combo of power and speed. He’s had a pretty good big league career, as well, batting .270 overall. He can help the Braves filling in at any of the infield spots and even the outfield. Wouldn’t be surprised to see him get some starts at second base.