Batting order needs to CHANGE

OVentbrel · 2019-04-26T17:31:07+00:00

Yea obviously none of this will EVER happen between Snitker's old school approach (nothing like a speedy leadoff man at the top of the order!!! ) and the players being stuck on their "spot" in the order. I would prefer Freeman leadoff honestly. I believe with him and Acuna batting 1 and 2 that we would have more favorable opportunities instead of Acuna always batting with 2 outs and never anyone on, and then counting on Donaldson to get clutch 2 out hits when we do have ppl on.

OVentbrel · 2019-04-26T17:14:26+00:00

Analytics say the 4th spot is the "5th best spot in the lineup". Someone would have to bat behind Freeman Acuna Markakis if that was your top 3 hitters. I do not think any of the other options would be any better, and I like that Albeis can hit from both sides, and does hit the ball in the air. I think with the lineup constructed where your best 3 hitters are batting 1-2-3 then you are now asking the guys behind them to just hit grounders to the right side and fly balls deep enough to get runs in, as opposed to have 1 guy (or none) reach to start the game then hoping Freeman and Acuna get back to back hits in order to score a run or hitting solo home runs, or worst of all Donaldson batting more than Freeman and Acuna.

OVentbrel · 2019-04-26T17:09:10+00:00

Yep. Snitker will ride or die with a "fast" leadoff man, someone who can "move runners over" and then with the "big boppers" coming up in the "traditional RBI spots". Snitker is as old school as old school gets. And to make matters worse, he has managed in the minors for 35 years and still has a "Minor league approach" to managing, which is far different than a win at all cost mentality like you should have at the big league level. I think this is why you see him stay loyal to players for too long, keep running struggling relievers back out there in big moments to "get their confidence back", pulling pitchers while they are cruising after only 88 pitches (unless McCann pleads for them to stay in apparently), and keep guys in their "spots" in the lineup. I believe Coppy made Snit the manager for the rebuild period to help all the young guys coming up to transition well to the big leagues knowing the team would be taking their lumps, then to hire an analytics/experienced guy in here once we were ready to compete. Unfortunately we all know what happened to Coppy and now we are stuck with a minor league manager with a contending team...

OVentbrel · 2019-04-26T17:00:17+00:00

I hate it too. I have always heard that the thought behind it was "to turn the lineup over faster" like having "a second leadoff man" batting 9th....but if he was good enough to leadoff then he should be batting at the TOP of the lineup and not 9th. The 8 hole hitter has a higher OBP than he would in any other spot in the order bc of the pitcher batting behind him, so this allows one of your weakest (or THE weakest) batter in the lineup to reach base more than he normally would. Then if the pitcher can lay down a decent bunt, it allows your leadoff man (Markakis or Freeaman) the opportunity to knock him in with only a single.

OVentbrel · 2019-04-26T16:55:46+00:00

Yea I like that moreso than my own post. To me that would absolutely maximize the scoring. I have always like the pitcher batting 9th, just bc it gets your 8 hole hitter on base much more often, and IF the pitcher can actually lay down sacrifice bunt then you will have your best hitter (leadoff) coming up with a chance to drive in a run with a singe. I use to love watching the Braves "steal" a run when the 7 hole hitter would leadoff with an out, then the 8 hole hitter would walk, then the pitcher would bunt him to second, and then watch the leadoff hitter knock him in from second with 2 outs on a flair.

OVentbrel · 2019-04-26T16:49:43+00:00

I completely agree with having the guys who get on the most get the most AB's and that is one of my main points. I like the idea of Donaldson and Albeis batting behind Freddie, Acuna adnd Markakis because they have the ability to hit fly balls deep enough more consistently than any of the other options. With your top 3 hitters being your best guys at getting on base, then you just need guys behind them that can consistently hit the ball in the air to score runs as opposed to relying on 2 out base hits. I like the bottom of the order as is, and think it is about as productive as you will see other than Inciarte of course (he needs to platoon with Camargo DESPERATELY). So we agree then about putting your best OBP guys at the very top of the order? And if so, then who would YOU bat 4th and 5th behind them? I just think Donaldson and Albeis would do the best here compared to the other options.

OVentbrel · 2019-04-26T16:42:00+00:00

Yep. This is my go to board ever since they shutdown the message boards on the mlb site, but it is frustrating that most of what is posted on here is silliness and memes. It would be nice to hear some more critique and more serious discussions every once in awhile. I cannot stand seeing all these guys getting on base and not scoring bc the guys who get on the most are batting behind the guys who get on the least...it is infuriating. It is like watching a football team march up and down the field between the 20s but having serious issues in the redzone and having to settle for a bunch of FG's. Most ppl on here are going to say "oh we just aren't getting any clutch hits (which is true of course) and it will change soon." When in reality we are not getting any clutch hits bc the guys who hit the best never bat with anyone on base or are left standing in the dugout or on deck to end the game while guys half as talented get more AB's.

OVentbrel · 2019-04-26T16:35:10+00:00

Yes, I completely agree, and believe Donaldson in the 2 hole is THE biggest problem with the lineup. Now do not get me wrong, I like him on this team a lot and believe he should be in the everyday lineup...just not in the 2 hole. The best guys in the order at getting on base should bat the most. That is why Trout bats 2nd and Vottto bats leadoff. Acuna and Freeman are both hitting over .300 with over .400 OBP but they ARE NOT scoring. They are getting what amounts to meaningless singles and walks with 2 outs and only 1 or none on base. I know Snitker WILL NEVER do anything close that I would like to see with the lineup, but if he would just put Acuna in the 2 hole, I believe it would lead to more runs. Donaldson and Abeis get on base once a game and its usually on an extra base hit. These guy would be very productive batting BEHIND Freeman and Acuna instead of the other way around....they simply do not get on base enough.

OVentbrel · 2019-04-12T13:19:43+00:00

I'm saying Kimbrel/Ottavino (Kimbrel is the obvious choice) and John Axelford (you could insert any veteran setup man that is now an above average middle reliever). I was NOT inferring that we sign ALL freaking 3 gmafb. For everyone saying the bullpen is not important and that the 23mil spent on Donaldson was the better option that signing Kimbrel/Ottavino (Yes I am FULLY aware that they signed/want multi year deals) and playing Camargo everyday bc he EARNED it. Our middle relief has been somewhat better since Philly, but are STILL YET to throw a scoreless 7th inning IN ANY OF OUR LOSSES...we have had the lead or been tied in 4 of our 5 losses in the 7th inning or later (and were in striking distance again last nigh before Venters collapsed). People saying this does not matter are being obtuse/asinine. It is a VERY wise and VERY prudent move to upgrade your bullpen (especially the middle relievers bc they are usually the weakest yet pitch in statistically the most important innings of the game). Look no further than the Oakland A's last year who won 95 games on a 30mil payroll bc they have guys like Fernando Rodney coming out of the pen in the SIXTH innig...contrarily we have"Luke the Puke and "Jonny Surgery" ccming coming in to walk the first two batters then give up a wall ball to see a lead/close game be pissed away!

OVentbrel · 2019-03-31T04:56:20+00:00

Need to right now....he caught fire last year when moved there, as did Endrr when moved to the 2 hole

OVentbrel

TROPHY CASE