I think we need to find a way to move TLS up in the order and move BEEJ down. I think that means you have to either move Heyward or Freeman to fifth and Jasons elite baserunning would be better utilized in the third hole.
Natural Immunity Croc
Braves1976 (06-17-2014)
Stella!
Justin
Heyward
Gattis
Freeman
CJ
BJ
Simmons
P
Best 6 players getting the most at-bats with the best #8 guy in that spot and our current top producer with some real protection behind him. Only way it could potentially improve is if you hit BJ 9th.
I'd say we have 3 tiers of hitters.
Freeman
Upton
Heyward
Gattis
TLS
CJ
BJ
Simmons
I would want to maximize/bunch the guys in the first 2 tiers as much as possible. Bc it's 2 righties and 2 lefties, it's easy to do.
Heyward
Upton
Freeman
Gattis
"Yes, I did think Aldrich was good UNTIL I SAW HIM PLAY. "- thethe
I think you're underestimating the value of having a high OBP player like La Stella ahead of your power hitters. His OBP track record is very impressive:
2011 .401 in Low A
2012 .386 in High A
2013 .422 in AA
2014 .384 in AAA
2014 .449 in the majors
Even if he is just a .370 OBP player going forward, that's high enough to justify hitting him first or second.
I like OBP and power at the top. Hate when managers put some middle infielder batting second that can bunt or hit and run. (watch college world series for extreme example)
"Yes, I did think Aldrich was good UNTIL I SAW HIM PLAY. "- thethe
Sorry, but TLS is clearly a better hitter than the players you grouped him in with.
The lineup needs to have Justin/Gattis hitting 2/4, and Heyward/Freeman/TLS hitting 1/3/5 in some order that doesn't have Freeman leading off.
All 3 of these options work just fine:
TLS, JUp, FF, Gattis, Heyward
Heyward, JUp, FF, Gattis, TLS
TLS, JUp, Heyward, Gattis, FF