We have all lamented the reds putrid OBP at the top of the order, but what is an acceptable OBP? Choo's .381 is enough to have most here drooling but is OBP a more important stat than Runs Scored?
in 2010, the Reds OBP at the top of the lineup was .306. Here are the three men that batted there with over 100 AB's at that point in the order.
And yet, that position in the lineup, with additions from other players scored 106 runs, 90 from these three. The objective each time a player comes to the plate is to score. Now admittedly, that is much easier to do the more you get on base, but something was working here. That same year, Milwaukee had a .361 OBP. but managed to score just 8 more runs.Code:NAME GP AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI TB BB SO SB BA OBP SLG OPS Brandon Phillips 72 315 41 79 11 5 8 33 124 18 42 5 .251 .302 .394 .695 Orlando Cabrera 42 182 22 41 13 0 0 12 54 10 20 6 .225 .268 .297 .565 Drew Stubbs 34 127 27 28 6 2 3 8 47 19 41 13 .220 .324 .370 .694
I'm not entirely certain what I am asking here, just thought it was interesting. I believe last year's .254 OBP was an aberration. I also think for whatever reason, Stubbs was having an AWFUL year. but in 2011, had he stayed in the leadoff spot, I think he'd have scored 100 runs. that he managed to get close despite 204 AB's with... let's say not the best hitters behind him is at least a little impressive.
I don't believe he's a great leadoff hitter. I think he can be a very good player lower in the order where he can use his underappreciated power to greater lengths. But I also don't believe 2012 is really Drew Stubbs. 2009-2011... that is more him than a one year season long slump.