Just because he is hitting better in the leadoff spot doesn't mean he's hitting good. He's hitting 252/312/365 out of the leadoff spot this year. A 312 OBP out of your leadoff hitter is horrible.
GDT 7/28/14 Santana vs. Lane
- Thread starter NinersSBChamps
- Start date
Just because he is hitting better in the leadoff spot doesn't mean he's hitting good. He's hitting 252/312/365 out of the leadoff spot this year. A 312 OBP out of your leadoff hitter is horrible.
You have to play both sides of the ball. Heyward is arguably the best defensive outfielder in baseball. Does he produce as many runs as Freeman or Justin? No he doesn't. But he saves twice as many as both of those combined. A healthy Heyward commands 20+ easy a year on the open market. And that jumps to the mid 20's easily if he shows any consistent offense.
That is what Tampa got from BJ minus power. If he is not going to be a power hitter then we need him at the top of the line up using his speed
yup
zitothebrave
Connoisseur of Minors
The myth of BJ being much better at leadoff is just that. Even given the normal SSS disclaimer
OPS on season .623, OPS at leadoff .677. His K rate is virtually identical to anywhere else in the lineup, and his BB rate is virtually identical if not down. The ONLY difference is BABIP where at leadoff he's at .354 everywhere else he's about .280. THat's the difference between leadoff and everywhere else. A bloop hit or 2. He's the same ****ty hitter at leadoff as he is everywhere else except he walks less, probably cause pitchers throw him tougher cause they don't want to let his candy ass on base for TLS, Freddie, Justin and Jason.
What we should be doing instead of coddling BJ is make him earn his keep. He really can't get too much worse than he is now so I don't see the downside. Bat him 8th make him prove his way to 7th, 6th, 5th, and higher. Right now he's butt cheeks. He shouldn't be playing but we have no better options in the majors or minors unless you want to see some clown defense in LF.
OPS on season .623, OPS at leadoff .677. His K rate is virtually identical to anywhere else in the lineup, and his BB rate is virtually identical if not down. The ONLY difference is BABIP where at leadoff he's at .354 everywhere else he's about .280. THat's the difference between leadoff and everywhere else. A bloop hit or 2. He's the same ****ty hitter at leadoff as he is everywhere else except he walks less, probably cause pitchers throw him tougher cause they don't want to let his candy ass on base for TLS, Freddie, Justin and Jason.
What we should be doing instead of coddling BJ is make him earn his keep. He really can't get too much worse than he is now so I don't see the downside. Bat him 8th make him prove his way to 7th, 6th, 5th, and higher. Right now he's butt cheeks. He shouldn't be playing but we have no better options in the majors or minors unless you want to see some clown defense in LF.
zitothebrave
Connoisseur of Minors
You want our worst hitter taking at bats from better hitters (Jason and Johnson) because of speed? Ignoring that Jason isn't a poke of course.
CrimsonCowboy
Moderator
The Marlins have rallied from 6-0 down to tie the Gnats!
Heyward
<B>Voted Worst Poster <br>'13, '14, '15 (Co-Winner
He'd get Freeman type money on the open market, no question.
Runner on 3rd... need a hit
Diesel
Spring Training Invitee
It irritates me to no end to hear Chip talk about the Braves are winning and connect it to BJ hitting leadoff. So stupid. Heyward is not a big time run producer. Sorry, he just is not at this point in his career. The Braves are so much better served by him hitting leadoff.
cajunrevenge
Well-known member
Maybe both the braves and nats will be sellers.....
Heyward
<B>Voted Worst Poster <br>'13, '14, '15 (Co-Winner
I think they'll offer him a good contract, whether he accepts is another story.
CrimsonCowboy
Moderator
Back to a 1/2 game behind the Gnats
Heyward
<B>Voted Worst Poster <br>'13, '14, '15 (Co-Winner
2 in the L column but brutal series with the Dodgers coming up...
Let someone else give him that we do not have the dodgers payroll hell we don't even have the gnats, phillies or mets
Heyward
<B>Voted Worst Poster <br>'13, '14, '15 (Co-Winner
With the new ballpark, we have more money on the way.
They can give him a Freeman or more type of deal.
We have a higher payroll than the Mets, Nats is higher, Philly has a higher payroll than every team but NYY/LAD, not sure what that has to do with anything.
Uggla's deal is off the books soon.
Fact is they can give Heyward a big contract, whether he'd accept is the better question.
Last, who do you replace Heyward with if you dont keep him, i'd like to know.
Braves1976
It's OVER 5,000!
True, two in the loss column but I think we've also played three more games. So if you figure they win two of three at best, then still only a game back.