I always thought it went:
#1 hitter = the speed guy with a decent average
#2 = the contact guy to advance #1
#3 = the best hitter in the lineup
#4 = the power guy
#5 = protection for the power guy
#6 - #9 = the rest
Jays 2023
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#1 hitter = the speed guy with a decent average
#2 = the contact guy to advance #1
#3 = the best hitter in the lineup
#4 = the power guy
#5 = protection for the power guy
#6 - #9 = the rest
Did you know at the end of this season Schneider, Romano and John Holmes all do a scene with Seka?
Philip
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Which one finished the scene?Tonight‘s game was a bit of a break out. Runners in
Did you know at the end of this season Schneider, Romano and John Holmes all do a scene with Seka?
Philip View attachment 250657
Agreed, hat was the ideal traditional lineup construction. But in the age of analytics that has been changed fairly significantly for some teams.. With every notch in the batting order getting approximately 20 more plate appearances over the season than the next one that becomes the prime consideration. For example Aaron Judge over the course of a season will have approximately 40-45 more plate appearances over the season batting second rather than third.
Speed is not that important for #1 - it's a bonus - but OBP is more important. Of course if its Kirk type speed that is an issue.
#2 in the traditional sense (which was often a fairly light hitting player who didn't striekout) is largely obsolete.
Of course a guy like Raines, Henderson, Alomar will fit at the top in past or current times. But last year, a guy like Raimel Tapia may have been considered to leadoff in the 80's, while the notion wouldn't even be considered today.
For example Aaron Judge bats 2nd exclusively. Shohei Ohtani spends half his games batting 2nd. Vlad spent a fair amount of time there in 2021 and 2022. Seems to be between #2 and #3 for the best hitter.
Its more the fact that each slot in top half of the order will bat about 20-22 times more over the course of the season than the next slot. For example as noted below, Aaron Judge will get 40-45 more plate appearances in a total season batting 2nd instead of batting 4th, or about 20 more batting 2nd vs 3rd. That's not minimal, when you have a great hitter like Judge.
Teams have seemed to stop short of batting those types #1, because they have no runners on base for them guaranteed for the first at bat.
You spoiled the ending.Did you know at the end of this season Schneider, Romano and John Holmes all do a scene with Seka?
Philip View attachment 250657
Another reason is that teams played small ball a lot more. Leadoff hitter, with a big OBP, gets on and either, with his speed steals second or the light hitting number 2 man moves him up with a sac bunt. Then, the best hitter, #3, knocks him home. Then big bopper, #4, clears the bases. That was the thinking.
But, as you've adeptly explained, the thinking has changed. Nowadays there are way more guys who can knock it out of the yard, so that many players can hit 4th while you still get those extra at bats for your very best hitters guaranteed to bat in the 1st inning.
I also think that the DH changed things as well. Without the pitcher being a totally wasted at bat, a guy like Kiermaier can bat ninth and now your best hitters at the top have way more chance of coming to the plate with a man on. Think of how many innings ended with the pitcher being the 3rd out and the leadoff hitter starts the next inning with nobody on and they have to play small ball again.
lol based on what actually transpires in the 80s I think it’s MUCH safer to leave out John Holmes.
Philip
The only thing worse than Blue Jay base running is Red Sox base running.
I think Geurrero should dump the ice bucket over Reese
Should have done that during spring training when he was a Jay sitting in his vehicle spanking it.....
I will say it again. Swanson is not a closer! Though this time instead of a loss with some bad luck he got the save with some bad BoSox base running.
Thankfully The Jays traded Reese McQuire for Zack Collins. Tonight Zack Collins is my favourite ballplayer, even though I don't believe he's in The Show any longer.
There’s more good news for the Jays. Jose Ramirez of the Guardians was involved in an actual fistfight during the game tonight with Tim Anderson of the White Sox. He will certainly be suspended, and the Guardians are the Jays next opponent, and Ramirez is by far their most dangerous hitter.
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