Who would you have as the Reds' leadoff hitter?

[AmarilloRed]

I bring this up because it is becoming increasingly clear that Patterson will not work as a lead-off man. Still, I would like someone to present a better alternative. Votto showed the ability last year, but he seems to have trouble showing plate discipline and taking walks this year. Hopper, Freel, Keppinger? I am going to do some more research on it tomorrow, and I hope the rest of you will do the same. Patterson clearly should not be a lead-off hitter much longer,; I just don't know if we have anyone better at this time.

[Slyder]

Keppinger is one of those guys that just knows how to put the ball where no one is and would be my leadoff hitter until Hopper/Freel got hot and slide everyone down a spot and oh ya forget the crappy split up the lefties idea its not worked:

Keppinger SS (R)
Dunn LF (L)
Griffey RF (L)
Phillips 2b (R)
Votto 1b(L)
EdE 3b (R)
Freel/Hopper/Patterson CF
Insert Catcher here.

If Freel/Hopper got hot:
Hopper/Freel CF
Keppinger SS (better at RBI oppertunity than Hopper/Freel)
Dunn LF (L)
Griffey RF (L)
BPhillps 2b (R)
Votto 1b(L)
EdE 3b (R)
Insert Catcher here.

Patterson wouldnt last with our organizational depth. He might see some time in the 7th hole in the hopes someone gives us anything for him soon.

[JWP]

]Patterson wouldnt last with our organizational depth. He might see some time in the 7th hole in the hopes someone gives us anything for him soon.

I wouldn't plan on Patterson getting traded this season.

[757690]

I wouldn't plan on Patterson getting traded this season.

I agree. The Reds do not have a centerfielder of Patterson's talents anywhere near the majors. Dickerson is in AAA, but if he was in their plans, they never would have signed Patterson, he would be playing in the majors right now. Stubbs is the closest decent centerfield prospect, and he is in Dayton. That is a good two maybe three years away from the majors.
Szymanski is hitting well in AA, but he is 26 and that is kinda old for AA. He really is the only one with a shot at the majors and I doubt they would start him if they did bring him up.

Patterson will be the centerfielder for the Reds this year, and if he has a good year, he may be it for a while. He was rated the #2 best prospect in all of baseball just a few years ago. I would not give up on him just because he had a few bad games against his former team.

[redlegsmustache]

I would have

Hopper (OF) / Freel CF/3B
Keppinger
Dunn
Griff
BP
votto
patterson (CF/3B yes patterson on 3rd)
C
P

[DannyB]

I just hope Dusty wakes up to it soon.
Keppinger
Dunn
Phillips
Griffey
Encarnacion
Votto
Patterson
Catcher

[TN Red Fan]

This is why I would have taken Lofton instead of Patterson for one year.

They could have used Lofton and Hopper in a platoon which would have satisfied Baker's need for speed at the top spot, and still have somebody who can get on base.

Hopper -- career OBP vs. lefties = .425
Lofton -- 3-year OBP vs. righties = .386

Given that they looked at Lofton, it boggles my mind that WK couldn't see this. I can't understand why people in baseball can't grasp the value of platoons.

[ChatterRed]

Jay Bruce.

[UK Reds Fan]

Honestly...you have to get OBP driven line-up.

Keppinger
Dunn
Griffey
Phillips
Votto
EE
Patterson
Bako

[eastkyred]

Brandon Phillips
Hitting leadoff, he's not much different than Jimmy Rollins.

[WildcatFan]

Keppinger
Keppinger
Keppinger
Keppinger
Keppinger
Keppinger
Keppinger
Griffey
P

[mlbfan30]

I still think Votto is a good choice.

I believe part of Votto's OBP struggles so far is caused by Baker saying he wants him to be more aggressive, but when combined with having no protection behind him, it seems like he feels he needs to hit. Votto is naturally a patient hitter and by hitting him 1st or 2nd, I think it'll improve his value to the team.

I would also bring up EE in the order to give him more protection also. Again, he's a patient hitter and would help by getting on base, instead of struggle by trying to bring runners home.

Keppinger would actually be a very good hitter deeper into the linup because he's able to make contact so often. He will not strike out in the critical situations and he's good enough to hit even when he gets bad pitches. These are normally good #2 qualities, but in this lineup it fits more like #6.

Switch Dunn and Griffey, so again getting on base will help the team more. By these guys getting on base in front of a slugger like BP, Griffey, and contact hitter like Kepp, more runs should score.

The problem is the higher OBP guys are lower in the lineup so they're forced to swing at pitches they probably wouldnt in order to drive them in.

Votto
EE
Dunn
BP
Griffey
Kepp
Patterson
Bako

[smoke6]

Keppinger
Keppinger
Keppinger
Keppinger
Keppinger
Keppinger
Keppinger
Griffey
P

Scratch Griffey and insert.......Keppinger

[Jim Fazio]

JOSH HAMILTON !!

[tommycash]

I like this one:
Votto
Phillips
Griffey
Dunn
Keppinger
Patterson
Edwin
C
P