Who Leads Off?

[ChongInc.]

As I keep thinking about it, I'd try Grich 7, Jansen 8, Biggio 9. Biggio can act as a leadoff hitter in later innings, and allows Grich to keep his swing for the fences approach. What I hope is to wake up Jansen's bat by putting him in the 8th spot and not a 9th hitter's mentality of they don't expect me to hit. If that fails, Biggio 7, Grich 8th and Jansen 9th to recoup the PAs

I dig the thought behind this.

I think I would have a tough time batting biggio 7th though. If that happens it’s probably because biggio is struggling with OBP or because the rest of the lineup is crazy hot.

[Chaotic98]

I dig the thought behind this.

I think I would have a tough time batting biggio 7th though. If that happens it’s probably because biggio is struggling with OBP or because the rest of the lineup is crazy hot.

With the hitters we've got if they continue how they left off (Teo, Grich, Tellez, LGJ) and what they are capable (Springer, Bo, Vladdy) Biggio might be our 8th best hitter, which isn't a bad thing for us.

[R. Johnson#3]

If this was 2K I would be putting biggio in the 9 spot ahead of Bo with springer batting 2nd. Unfortunately real life players don’t see the huge value of batting 9th before the big boys. They want an extra AB.

Less opportunities for the guy who was 4th in the AL in runs scored to score runs though. I hate the idea of giving Biggio the least amount of ABs on the team when he’s already proven how lethal he is on the base paths. Not just with stealing bases but with grabbing an extra bag when someone hits a gapper. I don’t understand the logic behind that.

Grichuk is also good on the base paths but he lacks the ability to get on base. A hitter like him would be much better suited for 9.

[Raps18-19 Champ]

There no reason biggio is 9th lol.

Hes a top order guy as of this moment. Springer should be second but Im not complaining if he goes 1st. Biggio is our smartest hitter so him in front of a guy who will drive in runs will be good

[Chaotic98]

There no reason biggio is 9th lol.

Hes a top order guy as of this moment. Springer should be second but Im not complaining if he goes 1st. Biggio is our smartest hitter so him in front of a guy who will drive in runs will be good

Biggio can't hit for .ave but he can draw a walk. He also strikes out way too much for his slugging %. If Jansen could get more hits, he'd be Biggio, we don't equate Jansen as a leadoff hitter because he walks at a high rate.

Springer should be first. Imagine 10-20 lead off HRs to help set the game tone and help relax our pitching.

[R. Johnson#3]

Biggio can't hit for .ave but he can draw a walk. He also strikes out way too much for his slugging %. If Jansen could get more hits, he'd be Biggio, we don't equate Jansen as a leadoff hitter because he walks at a high rate.

Springer should be first. Imagine 10-20 lead off HRs to help set the game tone and help relax our pitching.

I’m sorry but no, Jansen would not be Biggio with more hits. You’re leaving out his speed and his ability to pick his spots on the base paths. Biggio is amazing at running the bases. It’s why you never see him get thrown out whether it be a stolen base or him advancing on a hit.

[mike_noodles]

Biggio can't hit for .ave but he can draw a walk. He also strikes out way too much for his slugging %. If Jansen could get more hits, he'd be Biggio, we don't equate Jansen as a leadoff hitter because he walks at a high rate.

Springer should be first. Imagine 10-20 lead off HRs to help set the game tone and help relax our pitching.

And imagine those homeruns with Biggio on base in front of him 37% of the time. But again, I really don't care who leads off. So many options.

[Raps18-19 Champ]

Biggio can't hit for .ave but he can draw a walk. He also strikes out way too much for his slugging %. If Jansen could get more hits, he'd be Biggio, we don't equate Jansen as a leadoff hitter because he walks at a high rate.

Springer should be first. Imagine 10-20 lead off HRs to help set the game tone and help relax our pitching.

If he can get on base for Springer, work the count, and run the basepath, then its fine if he doesnt always hit for average.

[ChongInc.]

With the hitters we've got if they continue how they left off (Teo, Grich, Tellez, LGJ) and what they are capable (Springer, Bo, Vladdy) Biggio might be our 8th best hitter, which isn't a bad thing for us.

Just really want that OBP before the RBI machines. Putting biggio 7th means he has grich and Jansen trying to cash him in. It just pains me to think about lol.

[ChongInc.]

Less opportunities for the guy who was 4th in the AL in runs scored to score runs though. I hate the idea of giving Biggio the least amount of ABs on the team when he’s already proven how lethal he is on the base paths. Not just with stealing bases but with grabbing an extra bag when someone hits a gapper. I don’t understand the logic behind that.

Grichuk is also good on the base paths but he lacks the ability to get on base. A hitter like him would be much better suited for 9.

But why is a 9th hitter not expected/required to get on base? For me that’s the main thing they should be trying to do. Especially if you are starting the lineup with the boppers.

I agree that he doesn’t deserve to lose AB’s though. That’s my only reservation about the theory. If we had a speedster who gets OB but hits with a noodle then that is obviously the perfect 9hitter.

[ChongInc.]

There no reason biggio is 9th lol.

Hes a top order guy as of this moment. Springer should be second but Im not complaining if he goes 1st. Biggio is our smartest hitter so him in front of a guy who will drive in runs will be good

Yeah. Hence 9th. Give the extra AB’s to the HR mashers.

Again though - this theory is 2k hypothetical facts. Playing 1 game in a vacuum.
IRL over the course of a season those extra AB’s add up, and a players feelings are actual things that effect performance.

Maybe it makes sense in the playoffs.

[ChongInc.]

And imagine those homeruns with Biggio on base in front of him 37% of the time. But again, I really don't care who leads off. So many options.

I’d bet we see springer that 2nd at the end of the day.

[Raps18-19 Champ]

Yeah. Hence 9th. Give the extra AB’s to the HR mashers.

Again though - this theory is 2k hypothetical facts. Playing 1 game in a vacuum.
IRL over the course of a season those extra AB’s add up, and a players feelings are actual things that effect performance.

Maybe it makes sense in the playoffs.

You have to balance with OBP, working the count and consistency too.

We can have "HR mashers" who have issues staying consistent over 162 games (ie Teo), or guys who cant stay healthy like Gurriel and struggle to get on base like Grich.

[Chaotic98]

I’m sorry but no, Jansen would not be Biggio with more hits. You’re leaving out his speed and his ability to pick his spots on the base paths. Biggio is amazing at running the bases. It’s why you never see him get thrown out whether it be a stolen base or him advancing on a hit.

I meant with a bat, not feet or glove.

[Chaotic98]

If he can get on base for Springer, work the count, and run the basepath, then its fine if he doesnt always hit for average.

He also has a 23% K rate.

The question is if you have him higher who do you take ABs from keeping in mind between 1-5 that's on ave 70 PA which can be 7HRs for our mashers.

AL Ave PA:
1st - 762
2nd - 743
3rd - 725
4th - 709
5th - 693
6th - 675
7th - 657
8th - 638
9th - 618

Again this isn't a bad problem from an organizational depth standpoint, it will be for those who lose some PAs. If all goes according to past trends and future progressions, we might end up with a top 3 MLB offense. Not sure we can go too wrong on the batting order, just goes by preferences.