Choo's affect on our lineup..........

[smixsell]

Is anybody else as STOKED as I am about adding this guy to our lineup?

High OBP, tough out, excellent SB success rate, and a real "gamer" by reputation.

I think that his presence at the top of our order will have a MAJOR impact on our run production this year if everybody stays healthy. Imagine Joey hitting sometimes 2-3 times A GAME with runners on base!? (as opposed to 2-3 times per week)

How many days until opening day? I'm dying for the season to start!

I smell a title run this year, a World title run.

[R_Webb18]

The good thing about this 1 move is improved the batting order by 2 spots. Now Cozart can move down.

[PuffyPig]

Originally Posted by smixsell

I think that his presence at the top of our order will have a MAJOR impact on our run production this year if everybody stays healthy. Imagine Joey hitting soetimes 2-3 times A GAME with runners on base!? (as opposed to 2-3 times per week)

Thye difference between the lead off hitter having a .400 OBA vs. a .300 OBA is an extra baserunner every 10 AB's, or once every two games, or about 3 more per week.

So, while the difference is considered huge in baseall terms, it's not close to what you are suggesting (which is 15 baserunners per week now, vs. 2-3 before).

[Kc61]

I was about to start a similar thread but focused on defense.

Reds have been built around pitching and defense. Now, they have no true CFer to start games. They also now have Frazier as the likely starting third baseman. Overall, this could lead to a drop off on defense.

Choo is exactly what this offense needed, no doubt in my mind. I think the teams's limited ability to hit righties has been helped much this off season with Choo and, for the bench, Hannahan, plus XPaul. Reds should have five lefty bats, which improves balance.

But the question is how the pitchers will fare with an outfield of Ludwick, Choo and Bruce defensively. I think it's a legit concern.

[smixsell]

Originally Posted by PuffyPig

Thye difference between the lead off hitter having a .400 OBA vs. a .300 OBA is an extra baserunner every 10 AB's, or once every two games, or about 3 more per week.

So, while the difference is considered huge in baseall terms, it's not close to what you are suggesting (which is 15 baserunners per week now, vs. 2-3 before).

It was hyperbole Puffy! ... and the operative word was sometimes 2-3 times per game

[smixsell]

Originally Posted by Kc61

I was about to start a similar thread but focused on defense.

Reds have been built around pitching and defense. Now, they have no true CFer to start games. They also now have Frazier as the likely starting third baseman. Overall, this could lead to a drop off on defense.

Choo is exactly what this offense needed, no doubt in my mind. I think the teams's limited ability to hit righties has been helped much this off season with Choo and, for the bench, Hannahan, plus XPaul. But the question is how the pitchers will fare with an outfield of Ludwick, Choo and Bruce defensively. I think it's a legit concern.

We definitely lose something significant in CF but I think Frazier is actually an upgrade at 3B over last year's version of Rolen.

[DannyB]

Originally Posted by R_Webb18

The good thing about this 1 move is improved the batting order by 2 spots. Now Cozart can move down.

I hope you`re right but I will believe it when I see it.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Originally Posted by smixsell

We definitely lose something significant in CF but I think Frazier is actually an upgrade at 3B over last year's version of Rolen.

I definitely agree about center. I also agree that Rolen lost a step or two last year. But as much as I like Todd (and I like him more defensively than most here) he's still not better than Rolen is now with the leather. He's better than many give him credit for I think....but we got spoiled by what we saw at 3rd the last few years. Those routine plays he made time after time...they weren't routine.

[smixsell]

Originally Posted by DannyB

I hope you`re right but I will believe it when I see it.

I think I remember seeing a stat last year that our typical 1 and 2 hitters (Stubbs and Cozart) ranked at or near dead last in OBP among all starting position players in the NL (ie among all players w/ more than 400ABs). That was the main driving force behind my original post.

In light of last year's ineptitude in getting on base by our 1 and 2 hitters, I don't see how anyone could be overly skeptical about Choo's positive affect on our run scoring ability. I think Choo is going to pay MAJOR offensive dividends by virtue of his ability to get on base well and provide a SB threat ahead of our 2-3-4 hitters. I expect he'll have a positive a "domino effect" on our batting order.

[smixsell]

Originally Posted by _Sir_Charles_

I definitely agree about center. I also agree that Rolen lost a step or two last year. But as much as I like Todd (and I like him more defensively than most here) he's still not better than Rolen is now with the leather. He's better than many give him credit for I think....but we got spoiled by what we saw at 3rd the last few years. Those routine plays he made time after time...they weren't routine.

I agree with everything you said except that Scotty was still better than Todd at 3B last year. I'm REALLY high on Frazier, both as a hitter and as a third baseman. I think he's a rare athlete and competitor, and will continue to improve his underrated skills at 3B.

[DannyB]

Originally Posted by smixsell

I think I remember seeing a stat last year that our typical 1 and 2 hitters (Stubbs and Cozart) ranked at or near dead last in OBP among all starting position players in the NL (ie among all players w/ more than 400ABs). That was the main driving force behind my original post.

In light of last year's ineptitude in getting on base by our 1 and 2 hitters, I don't see how anyone could be overly skeptical about Choo's positive affect on our run scoring ability. I think Choo is going to pay MAJOR offensive dividends by virtue of his ability to get on base well and provide a SB threat ahead of our 2-3-4 hitters. I expect he'll have a positive a "domino effect" on our batting order.

Oh I agree, Cozart could excel hitting between Choo and Votto.

[smixsell]

Originally Posted by DannyB

Oh I agree, Cozart could excel hitting between Choo and Votto.

C'mon...I'm talkin bout THIS kind of lineup.........

1.Choo
2.Phillips
3.Votto
4.Bruce/Ludwick
5.Ludwick/Bruce
6.Frazier
7.Hannigan
8.Cozart

[Steve4192]

Originally Posted by smixsell

C'mon...I'm talkin bout THIS kind of lineup.........

1.Choo
2.Phillips
3.Votto
4.Bruce/Ludwick
5.Ludwick/Bruce
6.Frazier
7.Hannigan
8.Cozart

Flip Cozart and Hannigan IMO.

I want a tough out batting in front of the pitcher, to minimize the amount of times the pitcher winds up leading off an inning. I like Zach, but he gives away a lot of at bats. I don't want to see that with two outs and the pitcher on deck.

[BoydsOfSummer]

Originally Posted by Steve4192

Flip Cozart and Hannigan IMO.

Me too. I like fast guys in the 7 hole. Especially fast guys that can steal bases.

[smixsell]

Originally Posted by Steve4192

Flip Cozart and Hannigan IMO.

I want a tough out batting in front of the pitcher, to minimize the amount of times the pitcher winds up leading off an inning. I like Zach, but he gives away a lot of at bats. I don't want to see that with two outs and the pitcher on deck.

I got no problem swapping Hanny and Cozart. In fact I think I put Hanny at 7 just as a reflex because he deserved liberation from the 8 hole last year.
But with this season's lineup, I do think he's probbaly best in the 8 hole.