February 21, 201412 yr Which is precisely the reason that I wouldn't bat Votto 2nd with Hamilton leading off. If you have the open base, which manager ISN'T going to walk Votto? I don't like taking the bat of out of the hand of my best hitter. 2 men on, nobody out in the 1st. I'll take it every game.
February 21, 201412 yr 2 men on, nobody out in the 1st. I'll take it every game. You may. But I don't know if I could stand to hear another year of "Votto walks too much! We aren't paying him to walk!"
February 21, 201412 yr You may. But I don't know if I could stand to hear another year of "Votto walks too much! We aren't paying him to walk!" You will hear that no matter where he bats.
February 21, 201412 yr I am going to throw a crazy line-up out and let you all respond to this idea: 1. Votto 2. Phillips 3. Bruce 4. Ludwick 5. Frazier/Mesoraco 6. Hamilton 7. Pitcher 8. Cozart 9. Mesoraco/Frazier Reasoning: You now have your 3 best hitters batting in the 1st inning every night! You also do not have to worry about not running Hamilton and taking the bat out of Votto's hands. How often do you hear people talk about that. When Hamilton is on, he runs. Period! Also, by putting Mesoraco or Frazier in the 9th hole, they see fastballs in front of Votto. The question is how important is it to have the pitcher bat 2 spots lower in the order?? Anytime after the 6th inning, if it is an important situation you are going to bat for him anyway. ???? The only negative i see is that you could possibly kill a big inning in the 1st if the pitcher bats in that inning. Thoughts????
February 21, 201412 yr Which is precisely the reason that I wouldn't bat Votto 2nd with Hamilton leading off. If you have the open base, which manager ISN'T going to walk Votto? I don't like taking the bat of out of the hand of my best hitter. Best hitter, or best on-base percentage? There's a definite difference in the two.
February 21, 201412 yr Author I am going to throw a crazy line-up out and let you all respond to this idea: 1. Votto 2. Phillips 3. Bruce 4. Ludwick 5. Frazier/Mesoraco 6. Hamilton 7. Pitcher 8. Cozart 9. Mesoraco/Frazier Reasoning: You now have your 3 best hitters batting in the 1st inning every night! You also do not have to worry about not running Hamilton and taking the bat out of Votto's hands. How often do you hear people talk about that. When Hamilton is on, he runs. Period! Also, by putting Mesoraco or Frazier in the 9th hole, they see fastballs in front of Votto. The question is how important is it to have the pitcher bat 2 spots lower in the order?? Anytime after the 6th inning, if it is an important situation you are going to bat for him anyway. ???? The only negative i see is that you could possibly kill a big inning in the 1st if the pitcher bats in that inning. Thoughts???? Simple question for you to consider ... who do you want getting more at bats over the course of the season: 1. Starting pitcher plus Reds pinch hitters 2. Cozart 3. Mesoraco/Frazier
February 21, 201412 yr Simple question for you to consider ... who do you want getting more at bats over the course of the season: 1. Starting pitcher plus Reds pinch hitters 2. Cozart 3. Mesoraco/Frazier How many more at-bats does the 7 hitter get than the 8th or 9th position in the order? That would be something to consider? Also, factor in late game situations. Most closers are dominant right handed power pitchers. Would you want Cozart, Mesoraco/Frazier, or a left handed pinch hitter? Just asking?? I am just trying to think outside the box a little. How many more at bats do your 3 best hitters get batting them 1,2, and 3?
February 21, 201412 yr Author How many more at-bats does the 7 hitter get than the 8th or 9th position in the order? That would be something to consider? Also, factor in late game situations. Most closers are dominant right handed power pitchers. Would you want Cozart, Mesoraco/Frazier, or a left handed pinch hitter? Just asking?? I am just trying to think outside the box a little. How many more at bats do your 3 best hitters get batting them 1,2, and 3? If it is 5 more at bats over the course of a season, I still want those 5 at bats going to to the better hitter. As for the top of the order, I am good with a hitter like Votto leading off if you have a quality hitter to bat in the 3/4 slots. I always thought Adam Dunn should have been the #2 hitter when he was with the Reds - great OBP, very few DP's, big lefty in the box if your lead off man is a base stealing threat, best HR hitter getting more AB's. With the Reds, there is a big drop off for the 3rd best hitter to the 4th best hitter so it is tough to bat Votto lead off.
February 22, 201412 yr Best hitter, or best on-base percentage? There's a definite difference in the two. Yes, there is a difference, but I don't think it matters in this instance. Outside of pure power, in which you might be able to make a case for Bruce, who would you have higher than Joey? I think if Votto returns to what I think is "normal" for him, he can work the pitcher, hit for average, punish mistakes, and drive the ball in the gaps (if not out of the park). From beginning of the season to the end, I want him with the most AB's. (Again, Bruce may get sun-hot every now and then, but has too many down times intermixed.)
February 22, 201412 yr Yes, there is a difference, but I don't think it matters in this instance. Outside of pure power, in which you might be able to make a case for Bruce, who would you have higher than Joey? I think if Votto returns to what I think is "normal" for him, he can work the pitcher, hit for average, punish mistakes, and drive the ball in the gaps (if not out of the park). From beginning of the season to the end, I want him with the most AB's. (Again, Bruce may get sun-hot every now and then, but has too many down times intermixed.) My concern is that the last three seasons have all been what folks are calling "un-normal" for Votto. Three seasons straight smacks of a bit more than a fluke, if you ask me.
February 22, 201412 yr John Fay tweeted a couple days ago Price said his lineup will likely be Hamilton Phillips Votto Bruce Ludwick Frazier Meso Cozart This is vs RH's And probably flip flop Bruce and Ludwick vs LH's but he is not worried about late inning match ups
February 22, 201412 yr Every game should start like this: 1) Hamilton bunts for a hit (or walks). 2) Hamilton steals second base. 3) With first base now open, Votto doesn’t see a pitch and gets walked. 4) Phillips grounds into double play trying to hit a 3-run homer. Hamilton, running on the play, scores from second. 5) Bruce strikes out swinging. 6) JTM commercial. I legitimately LOLed. That doesn't happen often.
February 22, 201412 yr My concern is that the last three seasons have all been what folks are calling "un-normal" for Votto. Three seasons straight smacks of a bit more than a fluke, if you ask me. 2012 he was on pace to have one of the best seasons historically for any player. It's a shame he got hurt or I think he would have been MVP
February 26, 201412 yr My concern is that the last three seasons have all been what folks are calling "un-normal" for Votto. Three seasons straight smacks of a bit more than a fluke, if you ask me. 3 seasons?
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