Keppinger-1B

[flyer85]

saw this at rotoworld

The Reds have indicated that they're going with Jeff Keppinger as their first baseman against left-handers.

[dougdirt]

Would love to hear a source for where they heard that one from.

[Joseph]

Hatteberg as the first LH PH off the bench now? Votto and Kepp in a platoon, and I'm betting Valentin and Ross are a platoon now also.

[Cyclone792]

I'm strangely ok with this, probably because it makes quite a bit of sense (if true) and also ensures that the Reds have no indications of trading or benching Encarnacion. Keppinger's an interesting bat; I very much doubt he duplicates his 2007 season, but I think his bat does have some value, especially against left-handed pitching.

I also think he'll fare a bit better than Votto/Hatteberg against southpaws so it makes some sense in terms of run value.

Small sample size flags abound here, but the following is encouraging ...

Keppinger lifetime MLB vs. LHP: .341/.393/.543/.936 in 145 PAs
Keppinger 2007 AAA vs. LHP: .446/.479/.708/1.187 in 71 PAs

When you break it all down, much of Keppinger's value with the stick has actually been against southpaws.

[Matt700wlw]

I didn't hear that....which doesn't mean much

I wouldn't say I'm totally opposed to it, unless it means Votto sits....

He could be your "righty platoon" guy...

[mth123]

Would love to hear a source for where they heard that one from.

IIRC, I thought Krivsky made that statement shortly after the Cantu DFA. I also remember it being along the lines of "if we have to... it might be a way to get him some ABs" rather than "we plan to ..."

[savafan]

Hatteberg as the first LH PH off the bench now? Votto and Kepp in a platoon, and I'm betting Valentin and Ross are a platoon now also.

http://www.kffl.com/article.php/84695/89

Mark Sheldon, of Reds.MLB.com, reports the Cincinnati Reds are not sure whether or not C David Ross or C Javier Valentin will be used as the primary catcher next season. Additionally, the team may start only one catcher or could use both in a platoon.

[KronoRed]

I hope they at least give Votto some more at bats vs lefties before they make a move like this, silly to assume "Oh he's a lefty and he can't hit lefties"

[BCubb2003]

I hope they at least give Votto some more at bats vs lefties before they make a move like this, silly to assume "Oh he's a lefty and he can't hit lefties"

Also known as Paul O'Neill Syndrome.

[Heath]

I hope they at least give Votto some more at bats vs lefties before they make a move like this, silly to assume "Oh he's a lefty and he can't hit lefties"

That's how Tony Perez got started with Gordy Coleman.

[pedro]

I think it's silly to worry about weak side AB's being stolen from a rookie.

[Highlifeman21]

The more PAs Keppinger gets, the more we can grow the nickname "Country Kepp".

I see this as a win-win.

[mth123]

I think it's silly to worry about weak side AB's being stolen from a rookie.

Me too.

[Kc61]

I hope they at least give Votto some more at bats vs lefties before they make a move like this, silly to assume "Oh he's a lefty and he can't hit lefties"

No, it's silly to assume you can beat lefty pitchers with a predominantly lefty hitting lineup.

You need righty power against lefty pitching. Last year both Griffey and Dunn, the Reds big lefty hitters, had sub .800 OPS numbers against lefties. In Griffey's case it was .735. The Reds would have been better off with a good righty platoon guy in right field.

Votto had a .669 OPS at AAA in 121 at bats last year against lefty pitching. He does not seem to be a good hitter against lefties. Maybe against weak lefties you give him a shot, but the Reds would be an infinitely better team with a righty power guy platooning at first.

Last year only Phillips destroyed lefties. If Keppinger is the platoon first baseman, then EE will have to improve against lefties. Otherwise the Reds will be lacking when they face a lefty pitcher.

Personally, I would have liked the Reds to sign Ensberg who hits lefty pitching very well.

[Spitball]

No, it's silly to assume you can beat lefty pitchers with a predominantly lefty hitting lineup.

This is a very prevalent belief throughout baseball. I am posting the following using only the Cubs' top two starters, but the pattern will be the same if you look at any rotation.

Right handed starter
Zambrano-Faced 401 right handed batters/400 lefthanders
Left handed starter
Lilly (left hander)-Faced 618 right handed batters/151 lefthanders

These two obviously faced mostly starting line-ups, and there is clearly a belief in the platoon system throughout the league.

Interestingly, lefty batters had a .696 OPS versus Lilly while righties had a .688 OPS. I'm certain the left handed OPS would have been significantly lower if those lefthanded batters he did not face (because of platoons systems) had been left in starting line-ups.