Pick 'em: who would you rather build your infield around, Bobby Crosby of the A's or Khalil Greene of the Padres?(Baseball)

The setup: Crosby and Greene have much in common: Both are shorstops and top contenders for Rookie of the Year. They're the same age, 24, and they both have been starters since opening day. They faced pressure heading into spring training: Crosby was stepping into the sizable hole left by the departure of Miguel Tejada, and Greene was asked to beat out a veteran, Rey Ordonez (and did so by the middle of March). Crosby rates an edge in batting average (.268 to .258) and RBIs (41-32). Greene leads in on-base percentage (.342-.330) and has fewer strikeouts (71-81). The biggest edge is in the power numbers; Crosby has 37 extra-base hits, including 14 homers, to 27 and five for Greene. Greene has more walks (36-28), but Grosby might be more patient. He ranks among the A.L. leaders in pitches per plate appearance (4.11); Greene averages 3.77.

The inside perspective: Two scouts who sized up Crosby and Greene agree that Crosby is more physically gifted. He's 6-3 to Greene's 5-10. Crosby is stronger and is just as fast, though neither is considered to have exceptional speed. Greene is listed at 210 pounds to Crosby's 195, but Greene appears to weigh less than Crosby. As one scout says, Greene has done a great job "firming up" ...