Why?!

[NinersSBChamps]

This might be the only thing we all agree on. Simmons should not be batting lead off. This is a first in message board history.

 

[AUTiger7222]

Does anyone know what their record is with Simmons hitting in the 1 ?

My guess is he is looking for after 1st inning flow where it goes from Johnson to PH to Simmons Heyward etc. Where speed and baserunning actually do play a role For numbers people Bill James did an in depth article in his 1988 Baseball abstract that better defines this school of thought.

Otherwise, if it aint broke, dont fix is another school of thought

Giving Simmons the most at-bats on the team is stupid. Period. Simmons sucks batting 1st. But he's done much better batting in the other spots in the lineup. I know it's small samples but it's all we have to go on and there's a pretty big difference in the other spots from the lead off spot. I think he probably puts too much pressure on himself in the lead off spot.

1st - .233/.266/.329 (.594) - 223 PA

2nd - .313/.328/.391 (.719) - 68 PA

7th - .273/.365/.436 (.801) - 63 PA

8th - .290/.338/.406 (.744) - 151 PA

I'm willing to try Simmons in the 2nd spot for an extended look. Right now Justin doesn't need to be hitting in an RBI spot because he's not hitting for power. He would be better served of getting on base in front of Heyward, Freeman and McCann who are hitting for power.