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Next: Braves acquire Kotsay (AJC)
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Since: Nov 14, 2005
Posts: 308
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(Msg. 1) Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2008 3:36 pm
Post subject: leadoff hitter?
Archived from groups: alt>sports>baseball>atlanta-braves (more info?)
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Now that all positions are pretty well saturated for next season, what's the
plan for leadoff hitter? Last I read, there was some thinking that KJ and
Escobar would alternate at that spot. Last season I got fairly well flamed
for suggesting on this news group (while Kelly was tearing it up at the
start of the season), that he, KJ, was not a good fit for the leadoff spot
because he strikes out too much. Bobby then moved him out of that spot
during one of KJ's cold streaks. I still think he strikes out too much, and
he's too streaky for that position in the order. I don't think Escobar is a
good choice for leadoff guy either. I really like both of them in the
lineup, just further down in the order, and I think Escobar in particular
could be very effective batting second. So, I think leadoff hitter is still
a hole, unless one of the young CFs breaks out and earns that spot. |
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External
Since: May 09, 2007
Posts: 302
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(Msg. 2) Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2008 3:36 pm
Post subject: Re: leadoff hitter? [Login to view extended thread Info.]
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On Jan 13, 3:36 pm, "Joe Schmoe" <mcho... DeleteThis @bellsouth.net> wrote:
> Now that all positions are pretty well saturated for next season, what's the
> plan for leadoff hitter? Last I read, there was some thinking that KJ and
> Escobar would alternate at that spot. Last season I got fairly well flamed
> for suggesting on this news group (while Kelly was tearing it up at the
> start of the season), that he, KJ, was not a good fit for the leadoff spot
> because he strikes out too much. Bobby then moved him out of that spot
> during one of KJ's cold streaks. I still think he strikes out too much, and
> he's too streaky for that position in the order. I don't think Escobar is a
> good choice for leadoff guy either. I really like both of them in the
> lineup, just further down in the order, and I think Escobar in particular
> could be very effective batting second. So, I think leadoff hitter is still
> a hole, unless one of the young CFs breaks out and earns that spot.
Last year, Johnson put up a .372 OBP in 355 plate appearances and
Escobar was .400 in 160 trips. That's roughly a .380 OBP while
leading off. If that's the "hole" in the Braves' lineup, I think
they're in pretty good shape. |
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External
Since: May 03, 2007
Posts: 514
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(Msg. 3) Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2008 8:47 pm
Post subject: Re: leadoff hitter? [Login to view extended thread Info.]
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Joe Schmoe pisze:
> Now that all positions are pretty well saturated for next season, what's the
> plan for leadoff hitter? Last I read, there was some thinking that KJ and
> Escobar would alternate at that spot. Last season I got fairly well flamed
> for suggesting on this news group (while Kelly was tearing it up at the
> start of the season), that he, KJ, was not a good fit for the leadoff spot
> because he strikes out too much.
I don't care how often he strikes out. I care how often he's on the
base. KJ had .375 OBP. 19th in NL. Chipper was better, but batting him
1st would waste his power. KJ has SLG about .450, so I see no reason to
keep him out of leadoff spot.
pzdr
TRad >> Stay informed about: leadoff hitter? |
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External
Since: Sep 11, 2007
Posts: 253
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(Msg. 4) Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2008 8:47 pm
Post subject: Re: leadoff hitter? [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
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In article <fmdsts$kdh$1@news.interia.pl>, trad.DeleteThis@interia.pl says...
> Joe Schmoe pisze:
> > Now that all positions are pretty well saturated for next season, what's the
> > plan for leadoff hitter? Last I read, there was some thinking that KJ and
> > Escobar would alternate at that spot. Last season I got fairly well flamed
> > for suggesting on this news group (while Kelly was tearing it up at the
> > start of the season), that he, KJ, was not a good fit for the leadoff spot
> > because he strikes out too much.
>
> I don't care how often he strikes out. I care how often he's on the
> base. KJ had .375 OBP. 19th in NL. Chipper was better, but batting him
> 1st would waste his power. KJ has SLG about .450, so I see no reason to
> keep him out of leadoff spot.
Kotsay has a 1286 PA's hitting leadoff (.347 OBP). If he's healthy,
I think he'll lead off. Proven veteran, fit for the role, not
messing up last year's roles, etc.
He's got more PA's in the #2 slot, but I think Bobby's more satisfied
with hitting KJ there.
--
Cranial Crusader dgh 1138 at bell south point net >> Stay informed about: leadoff hitter? |
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Since: Nov 14, 2005
Posts: 308
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(Msg. 5) Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2008 8:47 pm
Post subject: Re: leadoff hitter? [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
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"Tomasz Radko" <trad.TakeThisOut@interia.pl> wrote in message
news:fmdsts$kdh$1@news.interia.pl...
> Joe Schmoe pisze:
>> Now that all positions are pretty well saturated for next season, what's
>> the plan for leadoff hitter? Last I read, there was some thinking that
>> KJ and Escobar would alternate at that spot. Last season I got fairly
>> well flamed for suggesting on this news group (while Kelly was tearing it
>> up at the start of the season), that he, KJ, was not a good fit for the
>> leadoff spot because he strikes out too much.
>
> I don't care how often he strikes out. I care how often he's on the base.
> KJ had .375 OBP. 19th in NL. Chipper was better, but batting him 1st would
> waste his power. KJ has SLG about .450, so I see no reason to keep him out
> of leadoff spot.
>
> pzdr
>
> TRad
He was hot in April and July, but was nothing special in other months.
Bobby Cox also decided to remove him from the leadoff spot because of the
inconsistency last season. We'll have the same problems with him again if
he bats leadoff. I love his bat, I just think we're better off with him
batting lower in the lineup. >> Stay informed about: leadoff hitter? |
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External
Since: Nov 14, 2005
Posts: 308
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(Msg. 6) Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2008 8:47 pm
Post subject: Re: leadoff hitter? [Login to view extended thread Info.]
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>
> Kotsay has a 1286 PA's hitting leadoff (.347 OBP). If he's healthy,
> I think he'll lead off. Proven veteran, fit for the role, not
> messing up last year's roles, etc.
>
> --
> Cranial Crusader dgh 1138 at bell south point net
I did not know that...thanks. >> Stay informed about: leadoff hitter? |
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External
Since: May 03, 2007
Posts: 514
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(Msg. 7) Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2008 8:47 pm
Post subject: Re: leadoff hitter? [Login to view extended thread Info.]
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Joe Schmoe pisze:
> "Tomasz Radko" <trad RemoveThis @interia.pl> wrote in message
> news:fmdsts$kdh$1@news.interia.pl...
>> Joe Schmoe pisze:
>>> Now that all positions are pretty well saturated for next season, what's
>>> the plan for leadoff hitter? Last I read, there was some thinking that
>>> KJ and Escobar would alternate at that spot. Last season I got fairly
>>> well flamed for suggesting on this news group (while Kelly was tearing it
>>> up at the start of the season), that he, KJ, was not a good fit for the
>>> leadoff spot because he strikes out too much.
>> I don't care how often he strikes out. I care how often he's on the base.
>> KJ had .375 OBP. 19th in NL. Chipper was better, but batting him 1st would
>> waste his power. KJ has SLG about .450, so I see no reason to keep him out
>> of leadoff spot.
>>
>> pzdr
>>
>> TRad
>
> He was hot in April and July, but was nothing special in other months.
All together now: there isn't such a thing like a hot player. KJ's OBP
for the last three years:
AAA MLB
2005 .438 .334
2006 .413
2007 .374
His BABIP is steady -
AAA MLB
2005 .320 .296
2006 .375
2007 .330
There were two anomalies last season: in July he had BABIP .423, so his
AVG and OBP went thru the roof, and in September his BABIP went down to
..255 taking down AVG/OBP too. July was a simple twist of fate,
September, probably, first full majors season.
Kotsay's best OBP for last three years was .332. He should bat 7th/8th.
> Bobby Cox also decided to remove him from the leadoff spot because of the
> inconsistency last season. We'll have the same problems with him again if
> he bats leadoff. I love his bat, I just think we're better off with him
> batting lower in the lineup.
He has the second best OBP in the whole team. There weren't even 20 NL
players better suited to play leadoff spot. Excluding people like
Chipper - I think KJ was above average NL leadoff hitter.
BC could lower him, because Escobar is a high OBP guy too. KJ has
better BB-rate, so I think I would bat KJ first, Yunel second.
pzdr
TRad >> Stay informed about: leadoff hitter? |
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