Let's Talk Batting Order

[TheKilo]

In the wake of all of this starting rotation discussion, i think it would be valuable to discuss what the batting order is going to look like next week.

 

Lowell's a decent hitter' date=' but I think the deciding factor is that he's proven himself to Tito while Bay, despite being off to a great start, really hasn't yet. I imagine that if it becomes blindingly obvious the lineup needs to change, it will change. [/quote']

 

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/extra_bases/2009/03/drew_to_bat_fif.html

 

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Terry Francona remains reluctant to announce his intentions for the batting order, but the manager indicated this morning that J.D. Drew likely will be his No. 5 hitter to start the season. As for the No. 6 spot, Francona isn't yet choosing between Jason Bay and Mike Lowell.

 

But bet on Bay.

 

"I think having the left-handed hitter [batting fifth] is somewhat useful,'' said Francona, who always has liked to alternate between left-handed and right-handed hitters to make matchups more difficult for opposing teams in the later innings. "For me, I guess right now we've got Mike Lowell and Jason Bay who can hit sixth and seventh. In my mind, neither one of `em is a typical seventh hitter.''

 

Here's what my ideal lineup would be:

 

Ellsbury (for now, as long as he can work on that OBP)

Pedroia

Drew (He thrived here last June, I think his OBP will be a boon for Youks/Ortiz)

Youks

Ortiz

Bay (He's gotta hit above Lowell, right?)

Lowell

Varitek/Kottaras

Lowrie (Expecting a real good year out of him but I don't want to worry about constant GIDPs from Tek when he gets on)

 

The most obvious "controversial" change is the Drew to 3rd, Ortiz to 5th swap. I'm not sold on Ortiz being fully healthy until I see it in game action for a while. Drew's best skill is OBP so he should be hitting in front of the big hitters anyway.

[Dojji]

Pedroia

Lowrie

Ortiz

Bay

Drew

Youkilis

Lowell

Varitek

Ellsbury

 

Pretty self-explanatory. If I had to take a gamble on which player is more likely to improve significantly next year between Lowrie and Ellsbury I take Lowrie. Ellsbury will have no shortage of chances to earn his way higher in the lineup but he shouldn't just be the presumptive leadoff guy. I think that sends the wrong message.

[TheKilo]

^^I actually like that lineup

[CrespoBlows]

I'd switch Bay with Youkilis.

[BSN07]

Ellsbury

Pedroia

Bay

Ortiz

Youkillis

Drew

Lowell

Tek

Lowrie

 

If Ellsbury can't hold down the lead off spot I'd go,

 

Pedroia

Drew

Bay

Ortiz

Youkillis

Lowell

Lowrie

Tek

Ellsbury

 

 

 

Never happen, but it would be the lineup I would try.

[BoSox21]

Drew

Pedroia

Ortiz

Youkilis

Bay

Lowell

Lowrie

Varitek

Ellsbury

[jacksonianmarch]

Drew in the 3 hole? Interesting, but how many times do you want to see him watch strike three with Ells and Pedroia on? I think Drew would work best in the leadoff spot. Therefore, he gets on base and you have a good situational hitter behind him then your RBI guys.

[Cocos Disciples]

Realistically, Drew would never supplant Ortiz in the 3-spot. I would have:

 

Ellsbury

Pedroia

Ortiz

Youkilis

Drew

Bay

Lowell

Varitek

Lowrie

[BSN07]

He could not supplement a healthy Ortiz. No telling what Ortiz will be on the field now. I think Drew could benefit from having someone like Papi/Bay hitting behind him. Just like Ortiz produced more when Manny was protecting him. Maybe not to that extreme, but you get my drift.

 

But Tito has shown an unwillingness to move major parts of the lineup around, so I expect to see,

 

Ellsbury

Pedroia

Papi

Youkillis/Bay

Drew

Bay/Youkillis

Lowell

Tek

Lowrie

[MANNYHOF24]

Ellsbury

Pedroia

Drew

Ortiz

Youk

Bay

Lowell

Tek

Lowrie

 

I like Drew in the 3 hole over Ortiz, because of the OBP he provides. That would leave a tun of RBI opportunities for the big hitters in the lineup.

[redsticknation]

I agree that Drew should be higher in the lineup. Doubtful this will happen, but I'd like to see this lineup, noting the Lowrie, Ellsbury and Pedroia would bat in order one the lineup turns over.

 

Pedroia

Drew

Ortiz

Youklis

Bay

Lowell

Tek

Lowrie

Ellsbury

[Dojji]

Not a bad lineup but I have my doubts that Tito puts two lefties in a row.

 

If you really want to bat Drew 2nd it would probably look like this:

 

Pedroia

Drew

Bay

Ortiz

Youkilis

Lowell

Lowrie

Tek

Ellsbury

[BoSox21]

Drew in the 3 hole? Interesting' date=' but how many times do you want to see him watch strike three with Ells and Pedroia on?[/quote']

 

Drew had a .416 OBP with 12 HRs and 31 RBIs in 42 games batting 3rd last year.

[BSN07]

Drew had a .416 OBP with 12 HRs and 31 RBIs in 42 games batting 3rd last year.

 

 

Wow, I didn't realize that. The team should really consider putting him there if thats the production the team could get. Maybe Bay 4th, and Papi 5th?

 

I doubt Ortiz would be thrilled with that though.

[ORS]

Yeah it's only ST, but Ortiz has a .300+ IsoP and .080+ IsoD, with 5/5 K/BB, and 40% of his hits have gone for extra-bases. Until he looks hurt again, we shouldn't worry about him being hurt, IMO. And, if healthy, he should hit 3rd.

 

Until NoOBP Ellsbury can start getting on base, and/or until Lowrie shows he can't, I'd go with this.

 

Pedroia

Lowrie

Ortiz

Youk

Drew

Bay

Lowell

Varitek

Ellsbury

[diony]

I think is too early to put Lowrie bat 2nd. They should start the season with Ells and Pedroia as the 1-2 to see how it works.

[BoSox21]

I don't get it, Lowrie had a .339 OBP last year compared to Ellsbury's .336 OBP but Lowrie should near the top of the order until Ellsbury can show he can get on base?

[Dojji]

Lowrie had a higher IsoD and I figure a lot of his contact problems are related to his wrist injury impacting his ability to hit from the left side. That seems to be behind him now. He should have no difficulty getting his OBP up around the .350-.360 mark.

[a700hitter]

Ellsbury

Pedroia

Bay

Ortiz

Youkillis

Drew

Lowell

Tek

Lowrie

 

If Ellsbury can't hold down the lead off spot I'd go,

 

Pedroia

Drew

Bay

Ortiz

Youkillis

Lowell

Lowrie

Tek

Ellsbury

 

 

 

Never happen, but it would be the lineup I would try.

I like these, but with the caveat that Carter pinch hits for Tek every game.

[BSN07]

I like these' date=' but with the caveat that Carter pinch hits for Tek every game.[/quote']

 

Carter can be the DTH(Designated Tek Hitter).

 

I think those lineups could really have a positive impact overall. But Tito most likely will go with something similar to last season.

[a700hitter]

Carter can be the DTH(Designated Tek Hitter).

 

I think those lineups could really have a positive impact overall. But Tito most likely will go with something similar to last season.

If Ellsbury is not getting on base, Tito needs to move a high OBP guy into the top spot. Having two high OBP guys in front of Papi and Youkilis/Bay will supercharge the offensive production.

[diony]

Ellsbury has more experience than Lowrie. Leave Lowrie in the 9th hole until he proves he's real.

[a700hitter]

Ellsbury has more experience than Lowrie. Leave Lowrie in the 9th hole until he proves he's real.

I think that Lowrie will quickly prove that he is the superior offensive player. Ellsbury still has a lot of problems with the inside pitch.

[riverside sluggers]

Carter can be the DTH(Designated Tek Hitter).

 

I think those lineups could really have a positive impact overall. But Tito most likely will go with something similar to last season.

 

Thats what Im afraid of. Instead of having Lowell or Drew behind him, Bay will be pitched around while batting in front of Tek :thumbdown

[BSN07]

Thats what Im afraid of. Instead of having Lowell or Drew behind him' date=' Bay will be pitched around while batting in front of Tek :thumbdown[/quote']

 

This is probably true. If he is going to keep things similar to last season with maybe a minor "tweak", I'd put Bay 4th.

[TheKilo]

Ellsbury has more experience than Lowrie. Leave Lowrie in the 9th hole until he proves he's real.

 

Experience wasn't a problem when they handed JE the leadoff spot at the beginning o last season.

[diony]

Experience wasn't a problem when they handed JE the leadoff spot at the beginning o last season.

 

After hitting .335/.394/.509 in September. Do you blame them? Who else they had?

[Keeper]

It would be nice if Ellsbury got on base more, but he does get himself into scoring position. If he can get his OBP up to or beyond .350, I'd stick with him in the leadoff spot.

[ORS]

I don't get it' date=' Lowrie had a .339 OBP last year compared to Ellsbury's .336 OBP but Lowrie should near the top of the order until Ellsbury can show he can get on base?[/quote']

I admit the difference is negligle, as such, you need a tie breaker. What's better than ST for that? Lowrie is at about .425 to Ellsbury's .300 right now, plus Lowrie has a credible excuse for last season (wrist injury). If something changes, then change the lineup, but this is what I do right now.

[BSN07]

I admit the difference is negligle' date=' as such, you need a tie breaker. What's better than ST for that? Lowrie is at about .425 to Ellsbury's .300 right now, plus Lowrie has a credible excuse for last season (wrist injury). If something changes, then change the lineup, but this is what I do right now.[/quote']

 

I get where your coming from. But using ST as a tie breaker?:dunno:

 

I think they will let Ellsbury go for the first month- 2 months of the season. And if nothing has changed, they could change the lineup around.

 

 

But this is coming from someone who is on record numerous times saying I believe Ellsbury will be a force to be reckoned with eventually:D So please take my comments with a grain of salt.