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Acuna Prefers To Hit Leadoff
- Thread starter clvclv
- Start date
bravesfanMatt
Steve Harvey'd
I have complaints that the author used four in the first paragraph. I also have complaints that the lineup would go Acuna, FF then Donaldson. We all know who hits next.
cajunrevenge
Well-known member
I like Acuna at leadoff too. That first at bat of the game is a unique scenario in that the starter hasnt got a chance to settle in yet. Acuna seems really good at taking advantage of this. I also really like having Acuna as a looming threat as the lineup turns over. Watching the games we had baserunners all the time as the lineup turned over and it seemed like Acuna was always coming up in key spots. He might be good enough that getting that 1 more at bat from him could be the difference in the game. If we ever get a high OBP leadoff type hitter then by all means move Acuna to 2 but we dont really have that. Ideal scenario would be for Albies to start hitting like a leadoff hitter.
bravesfanforlife88
Well-known member
If you go Acuña/Donaldson/Freeman what are the chances they go back to back to back to leadoff a game?
I seem to remember Furcal/?/Sheffield doing that once
I seem to remember Furcal/?/Sheffield doing that once
Would it make you feel better to have it go Acuna/Neck/Freeman/Donaldson?
50PoundHead
Hessmania Forever
I wouldn't want Markakis batting 2nd. He'd likely be odds-on favorite to lead the league in GIDPs. I'd personally stick Albies there and have Markakis hitting 5th or 6th.
Stats say the 3rd spot in the lineup is less important than 2, 1 and 4. If Markakis is going to hit at the top of the lineup, it should be 3.
Either way, the Braves are going to have a guy hitting in the top half of the order who doesn't belong there on a contending team, so exactly where that guy hits isn't really a big deal.
Best thing that could happen is Albies figures out how to be the 1-2 hitter he is destined to become.
Either way, the Braves are going to have a guy hitting in the top half of the order who doesn't belong there on a contending team, so exactly where that guy hits isn't really a big deal.
Best thing that could happen is Albies figures out how to be the 1-2 hitter he is destined to become.
Ideally, Donaldson becomes a "team-first" guy and volunteers to hit behind Freeman so teams can't tip-toe around him. I get that the numbers point out that the #2 spot in the lineup is more important than it was necessarily treated in the old days, but I'd be willing to bet on Ozzie or Ender being able to make the needed adjustments to hit there and be productive doing it. While it's old-school, I still want those two guys that are capable of stealing 40+ bases in front of Freddie - with no one in their way.
While it's understandable not to approach it like in the past, I want the feeling that the top of the lineup can comfortably play postseason baseball and manufacture a run - Acuna gets on, Ozzie or Ender gets him over (even bunting when needed), and Freddie and Donaldson get him in.
I'd much rather get Acuna at the top where he's most comfortable than adjust everything to get Donaldson in the 2 hole - he's the type of leadoff presence/game changer that Trout was when he hit there for a bit, and I honestly think he scares the competition hitting there like no one has since Rickey Henderson.
While it's understandable not to approach it like in the past, I want the feeling that the top of the lineup can comfortably play postseason baseball and manufacture a run - Acuna gets on, Ozzie or Ender gets him over (even bunting when needed), and Freddie and Donaldson get him in.
I'd much rather get Acuna at the top where he's most comfortable than adjust everything to get Donaldson in the 2 hole - he's the type of leadoff presence/game changer that Trout was when he hit there for a bit, and I honestly think he scares the competition hitting there like no one has since Rickey Henderson.
Yes, the correct answer is to put base stealers in front of singles hitters, not in front of power hitters who can drive them in from 1b.
It's simply a preference - and an old-school one. Maybe the reporters ought to go tell Acuna he should be hitting in the 6 hole since his base-stealing ability would be better utilized there.
Of course that's a stupid argument, but don't some of you understand that that's the way some of the players, Coaches, and Managers look at some of the things that are brought to them at times? Acuna wants to hit at the top because that's where he's most comfortable - while no one can speak for him, it's a pretty good bet that he doesn't give two *hits what the numbers say, it's just where he feels like he can best help the team. Whether that's true or not, you're simply making things harder when you ask someone to do something they're not sure is best.
Asking Donaldson to hit behind Freeman is the same kind of deal, and I have no problem leaving the three of them where they seem to be the most comfortable - it just doesn't do much to lengthen a lineup that's short to begin with if you wind up with second-half of 2018 Markakis, second-half of 2018 Albies, first-half of 2018 Ender, Flow/Mac, and Dansby hitting behind them when the inevitable slumps and mini-slumps come.
Not sure that many here can legitimately answer that question since they haven't had a bat in their hands facing one - kinda just one of those things you have to take at face value. If that's where they tell you they're most comfortable, should we assume they have no reason for feeling that way and they're lying?
sturg33
I
But when you're in the batter's box, the context of what spot of the lineup you're in is completely invisible.
If you have a man on second with 1 out, what is the difference of whether you're in the leadoff spot or the cleanup spot?
The Braves should optimize the lineup in which the most runs are expected to score.
As much as it pains many to hear it, it just doesn't work that way - these guys aren't robots (or computers). When they look out there, they don't see a RHP or LHP on the mound - they realize that's deGrom or Kershaw. Their mind doesn't suddenly flash their splits.
You really don't think the thought that "Markakis and Flowers are hitting behind me, so if I don't get that guy in right here, we're screwed" popped into Freddie's mind during the second half more than a couple times last season?
Makes it a little tougher to get to that 98 MPH heater - you squeeze the bat a little tighter, try to get your swing started a little earlier, etc.. Comfort-level with the things surrounding you can certainly get in the way at times.
Baseball players are not robots and they are not all rational thinkers. The most successful managers find a way to explain moves in ways players will accept them.
It’s Snit’s job to help Acuna understand and accept why the team is better off with him in a run producing role.
It’s Snit’s job to help Acuna understand and accept why the team is better off with him in a run producing role.
Heyward
<B>Voted Worst Poster <br>'13, '14, '15 (Co-Winner
I'd agree with you normally but "right now", we dont have anyone who can put him out of leadoff unless you want to go say Ender/Acuna/FF/JD in the first 4 spots.