Starting lineups - who in the 2 hole

[mopete12]

Pretty sure this is going to be the opening day batting order, just with Zunino in the 8 hole:

 

[yrm0019]

Lineups are fun to construct but what I keep coming back to is a very basic principle...which is the better hitters need as many plate appearances as possible. That means the better hitters need to be in the top 4 slots in the order. If one takes last season as an example, the delta between PAs for leadoff vs cleanup was 40 PAs (749 leadoff, 709 cleanup). The drop from 4th to 5th is 18 PAs and it goes from there.

Guards OPS by spot in the order: (sorry, I don't have a better hitting measurement available at my fingertips than OPS)
3rd - 856
6th - 765
5th - 746
1st - 711
2nd -708
4th - 693
8th - 609
9th - 559

Tito got the 8th/9th spots correct. The 1 and 4 spots were partly tainted by Straw/Franmil. The goal should be to get the better hitters in spots 1-5. Any hitter that isn't clear-cut one of the top 4 hitters on the club shouldn't be hitting in spots 1-4, period. Platoon splits are acceptable for determining 'best' hitter IMO. Worrying about bullpen machinations later in the game as a means for determining the lineup? Not sure that is the best strategy IMO.

Take a club like Houston....if you run the same data for Houston, their rankings by OPS for spots in the batting order go 4, 1, 3, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. That should be the goal. The better hitters get more plate appearances.

Now...is Amed Rosario clearly one of the top 4 or 5 hitters on this team? Vs RHP? Hell no. Vs LHP? It's a consideration.

My opinion is I really like some of the lineups that go Kwan/JRam/Gimi/Bell. Bell has to do enough to stick at 4 of course. But I just don't see much debate about the top 3. Any other lineup approach puts an unneeded restrictor plate on an offense that is already a bit limited compared to the competition.

 

[Criznit]

Pretty sure this is going to be the opening day batting order, just with Zunino in the 8 hole:

Yeah, I think you are right even if Tito is wrong.

 

[sportscoach]

probably something like: Bell, Ogonz and then Naylor. Also that would be a fun promo, but I am sure it would ruffle some feathers.

Only 500 bucks on Ebay...

View attachment 14484

Tell Francona to do the lineup that way... Do one day Shortest to tallest then another Tallest to shortest lol

 

[sportscoach]

Pretty sure this is going to be the opening day batting order, just with Zunino in the 8 hole:

I agree...

Though I'd rather see OGonz a bit higher in the lineup... Hopefully he stays patient since he has the catcher behind him

 

[KluberSociety]

Yeah, I think you are right even if Tito is wrong.

Yep we just aren't getting away from this lineup. It's basically a repeat of the Franmil lineup from last year (when he was still hitting 4th).

And I think Tito is very wrong but batting orders don't change productivity that much.

 

[Lee]

I'd prefer to see JRam in the 2...Gimenez 3.

I am not sure Tito is reading my text messages to him, but it is OK -- he is busy.

Why Jram 2 and not Gimenez?

 

[Lee]

My preference is to order them nesting doll style

Winner, Winner right here

 

[LL3]

Why Jram 2 and not Gimenez?

Short answer -- I am a "best hitter in 2" guy...better OBP, too.

 

[Lee]

Short answer -- I am a "best hitter in 2" guy...better OBP, too.

In every measure, JRam is our best hitter, so all you had to say is best hitter at 2, lol

 

[daddywags]

I agree...

Though I'd rather see OGonz a bit higher in the lineup... Hopefully he stays patient since he has the catcher behind him

He always bats with the catcher behind him . . . so does everyone else.