February 22, 201115 yr Bruce had a stretch where he couldn't hit the ocean if he fell out of a boat. I fear that could happen again. You have to have a contact hitter in the 1 hole. You just can't afford striking out with Votto, Phillips and Rolen coming up behind you. ^ I'd say lead off is still up for grabs but I'll go with: 1. Stubbs 2. Phillips 3. Votto 4. Rolen 5. Bruce 6. Gomes 7. Janish 8. Hanigan/Hernandez I think with Renteria in the lineup instead of Janish it would shake up some. How can you say that you need a contact hitter in the leadoff spot and then put Stubbs in there? Stubbs struck out 168 times in 514 at bats which is 1/3 of the time.
February 22, 201115 yr How can you say that you need a contact hitter in the leadoff spot and then put Stubbs in there? Stubbs struck out 168 times in 514 at bats which is 1/3 of the time. It's not what I think it SHOULD be, it's what I think it WILL be.
February 22, 201115 yr I'd hit Bruce clean up when Rolen isn't playing. If Rolen struggles or Bruce really breaks out then swap them for good
February 23, 201115 yr Why not Phillips at the lead off? He makes contact, can steal a base when healthy and can even bunt when given the chance. This gives a chance for Stubbs to bat second and see more fastballs if Phillips gets on base and Votto is in front of him.
February 23, 201115 yr This team has a lot of questions similar to last year's team: 1. Who will lead off? 2. Can Rolen stay healthy? 3. Will anyone emerge as a #1 starter? I am cautiously optimistic; however, I have concerns that the Reds are relying on EVERYONE to improve, when many of the guys had career years last year (Bruce, Votto, Gomes, Stubbs) and some have health concerns (Rolen). Will Hanigan & Hernandez be such a dynamic duo again? One thing is for sure, this team has quality pitching, and lots of it. That will help tremendously over the course of a 162 game season. Personally, I would trot this lineup out for opening day: 1. Bruce 2. Phillips 3. Votto 4. Rolen 5. Gomes 6. Stubbs 7. Hernandez 8. Janish 9. Volquez I would prefer to have BP leading off (as opposed to Bruce), but I think you need to break the lefties up. By inserting Phillips in between Bruce & Votto, you have a guy who hits LHP very well between two lefties. Bruce is not the ideal leadoff guy, but that may change later when / if Lewis & Renteria play. I'd keep Alonso in AAA & hope that he produces down there. My starting rotation: 1. Volquez 2. Arroyo 3. Cueto 4. Bailey 5. Wood I'd send Leake, Maloney & Lecure down to AAA & get them regular starts. It is tempting to leave Leake up in the bullpen (especially with his bat), but I think he's a starter (long-term) and the season is so long that we need to utilize our pitching depth. Any of the aforementioned 3 would be capable of being called up to the Bigs if the regular starter is unavailable & it's their day to pitch. Rhythm & consistency are important for starting pitchers, and I think it's important to get them regular starts early in the season. As with other lineups, it is subject to change throughout the season.
February 23, 201115 yr A question that intrigues me is what to do with Chris Heisey. He had a great year last season coming off of the bench as a pinch-hitter; however, he's young & potentially has a future as an everyday player. Do you keep him in AAA where he can get regular at bats, or do you start him off at AAA where he can play everyday and continue to progress as a player? If he starts on the big league club, it is likely that his PT is as a platoon player or defensive replacement, especially with Lewis or Hermida likely to make the club. I think he was too good last year, both on the AAA & MLB level, to start down at Louisville, but only time will tell.
February 23, 201115 yr Why not Phillips at the lead off? He makes contact, can steal a base when healthy and can even bunt when given the chance. This gives a chance for Stubbs to bat second and see more fastballs if Phillips gets on base and Votto is in front of him. Already tried that and didn't work out very well. His OBP% isn't very good.
February 23, 201115 yr A question that intrigues me is what to do with Chris Heisey. He had a great year last season coming off of the bench as a pinch-hitter; however, he's young & potentially has a future as an everyday player. Do you keep him in AAA where he can get regular at bats, or do you start him off at AAA where he can play everyday and continue to progress as a player? If he starts on the big league club, it is likely that his PT is as a platoon player or defensive replacement, especially with Lewis or Hermida likely to make the club. I think he was too good last year, both on the AAA & MLB level, to start down at Louisville, but only time will tell. I think they will want to keep a lefty OF on the bench so Hermida will make it IMO.
February 23, 201115 yr Stubbs is a popular choice for the leadoff position because he has the blazing speed. Personally, I love him in the 6/7 spot of the order. He has some pop, but his free-swingiing attitude & low OBP% don't make him a good leadoff hitter.
February 23, 201115 yr I am pumped to watch Drew Stubbs score from first base on a double down the line.
February 23, 201115 yr Lewis would probably fill the leadoff role against righties, and let's face it ... Gomes needs a platoon partner and defensive replacement in LF.
February 23, 201115 yr A question that intrigues me is what to do with Chris Heisey. He had a great year last season coming off of the bench as a pinch-hitter; however, he's young & potentially has a future as an everyday player. Do you keep him in AAA where he can get regular at bats, or do you start him off at AAA where he can play everyday and continue to progress as a player? If he starts on the big league club, it is likely that his PT is as a platoon player or defensive replacement, especially with Lewis or Hermida likely to make the club. I think he was too good last year, both on the AAA & MLB level, to start down at Louisville, but only time will tell. Heisey is already 26, so it's not like he's a potential star. At the very least, he looks like a solid reserve outfielder, perhaps part of a platoon arrangement.
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