Baker: Phillips will hit clean up - RedsZone.com - Cincinnati Reds Fans' Home for Baseball Discussion

OnBaseMachine · 02-19-2009, 10:54 AM

Baker: Phillips will hit clean up
Posted by JohnFay at 2/19/2009 10:19 AM EST on Cincinnati.com

Dusty Baker said that Brandon Phillips will hit fourth -- at least at the start of the year.

“The way the lineup is right now, yeah,” Baker said.

Phillips' numbers were down last year from 2007. He hit .288 with 30 home runs and 94 RBI in '07. Last year, he hit .261 with 21 homers and 78.

“Brandon will have a good year," Baker said. "You struggle sometimes a little bit in third or fourth year. Brandon will readjust. Sometimes they wouldn’t throw Brandon a lot of strikes. Sometimes when you’re in the middle of it, you can’t see it. When you’re smart like Brandon, you take some time away and you step back and see things.”

http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs...cincinnati.com

BRM · 02-19-2009, 10:55 AM

No surprise there.

cincrazy · 02-19-2009, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OnBaseMachine

Baker: Phillips will hit clean up
Posted by JohnFay at 2/19/2009 10:19 AM EST on Cincinnati.com

Dusty Baker said that Brandon Phillips will hit fourth -- at least at the start of the year.

“The way the lineup is right now, yeah,” Baker said.

Phillips' numbers were down last year from 2007. He hit .288 with 30 home runs and 94 RBI in '07. Last year, he hit .261 with 21 homers and 78.

“Brandon will have a good year," Baker said. "You struggle sometimes a little bit in third or fourth year. Brandon will readjust. Sometimes they wouldn’t throw Brandon a lot of strikes. Sometimes when you’re in the middle of it, you can’t see it. When you’re smart like Brandon, you take some time away and you step back and see things.”

http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs...cincinnati.com

Correct, Dusty. They weren't throwing him strikes. Because he was SWINGING AT THEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

pahster · 02-19-2009, 10:58 AM

Let the winning continue!

OnBaseMachine · 02-19-2009, 10:59 AM

This ticks me off. Phillips hitting cleanup vs LHP? Fine. Against RHP? Absolutely not. This offense is already going to have some problems scoring runs and it doesn't help matters that our manager can't fill out a decent lineup. Phillips need to either hit second where he'll maybe stop swinging for the fences, or sixth. Brandon Phillips is not a cleanup hitter and it's a shame Dusty Baker doesn't realize this.

boognish · 02-19-2009, 11:00 AM

Baker is a real spin doctor; so much of what comes out of his mouth is gobbledygook. I hope the Reds win some so we can focus on something different.

BRM · 02-19-2009, 11:00 AM

Brandon is aggressive. Cleanup hitters should be aggressive.

Well, we have our most likely 1-4 for OD now.

Taveras
Hairston
Votto
Phillips

Spring~Fields · 02-19-2009, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OnBaseMachine

Baker: Phillips will hit clean up
Posted by JohnFay at 2/19/2009 10:19 AM EST on Cincinnati.com

Dusty Baker said that Brandon Phillips will hit fourth -- at least at the start of the year.

“Brandon will have a good year," Baker said. "You struggle sometimes a little bit in third or fourth year. Brandon will readjust. Sometimes they wouldn’t throw Brandon a lot of strikes. Sometimes when you’re in the middle of it, you can’t see it. When you’re smart like Brandon, you take some time away and you step back and see things.”

http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs...cincinnati.com

Brandon Phillips VS Right Handed Pitching
2008 - AVG OBP SLG OPS - .247 .293 .383 .676 AB - 397
2007 - AVG OBP SLG OPS - .262 .310 .428 .738 AB - 442
2006 - AVG OBP SLG OPS - .268 .315 .429 .744 AB - 399

Brandon Phillips VS Left Handed Pitching
2008 - AVG OBP SLG OPS - .296 .358 .586 .944 AB - 162
2007 - AVG OBP SLG OPS - .341 .378 .606 .984 AB - 208
2006 - AVG OBP SLG OPS - .299 .351 .423 .774 AB - 137

Always Red · 02-19-2009, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BRM

Brandon is aggressive. Cleanup hitters should be aggressive.

Well, we have our most likely 1-4 for OD now.

Taveras
Hairston
Votto
Phillips

Looks like Bruce will be leading off the 2nd a whole lot.

Pray for good pitching!

Ravenlord · 02-19-2009, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BRM

Well, we have our most likely 1-4 for OD now.

Taveras
Hairston
Votto
Phillips

you're probably right there with the 1-3, which is exactly why Bruce will be hitting 5th, gotta split those lefties!

I(heart)Freel · 02-19-2009, 11:14 AM

I completely foresee Edwin taking on the clean up role shortly after the season starts. Baker doesnt want to pressure him or put him back in the swing for the fences mindset. But I can see him settling there soon enough.

Would be great to move Brandon down to 2-hole. Still use his speed on the bases for Votto and Bruce.

corkedbat · 02-19-2009, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BRM

Brandon is aggressive. Cleanup hitters should be aggressive.

Well, we have our most likely 1-4 for OD now.

Taveras
Hairston
Votto
Phillips

Since you've got JHJ hitting secomd, I guess you're saying he will be playing SS instead of LF?

If I had to bat Phillips 4th, I'd go ,,,

CF Dickerson/Taveras
3B Encarnacion
1B Votto
2B Phillips
RF Bruce
LF Jones (or) Ward/Gomes
CA Hernandez
SS Gonzalez (or) Hairston (or) Keppinger

... I'm not Dusty though and Taveras will be there everyday. I'm just hoping for Dickerson in LF

If they wanted more speed at the top and Taveras plays everyday, I'd go...

CF Taveras
LF Dickerson
3B Encarnacion
1B Votto
2B Phillips
RF Bruce
CA Hernandez
SS Gonzalez (or) Hairston (or) Keppinger

fearofpopvol1 · 02-19-2009, 11:35 AM

Awesome!! This upcoming season is getting better and more exciting by the day. I can't wait!!

BRM · 02-19-2009, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by corkedbat

Since you've got JHJ hitting secomd, I guess you're saying he will be playing SS instead of LF?

No, I have him in LF. The Reds will likely face a lefty on OD in Johan Santana. Hopefully Dusty has abandoned his "SS hits second" rule this year.

membengal · 02-19-2009, 11:45 AM

Perhaps Gomes gets that start over Hairston?

02-19-2009, 10:54 AM	#1
OnBaseMachine Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 34,655	Baker: Phillips will hit clean up Baker: Phillips will hit clean up Posted by JohnFay at 2/19/2009 10:19 AM EST on Cincinnati.com Dusty Baker said that Brandon Phillips will hit fourth -- at least at the start of the year. “The way the lineup is right now, yeah,” Baker said. Phillips' numbers were down last year from 2007. He hit .288 with 30 home runs and 94 RBI in '07. Last year, he hit .261 with 21 homers and 78. “Brandon will have a good year," Baker said. "You struggle sometimes a little bit in third or fourth year. Brandon will readjust. Sometimes they wouldn’t throw Brandon a lot of strikes. Sometimes when you’re in the middle of it, you can’t see it. When you’re smart like Brandon, you take some time away and you step back and see things.” http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs...cincinnati.com __________________ I miss Adam Dunn.

02-19-2009, 10:55 AM	#2
BRM Let's ride Join Date: May 2004 Location: Colorado's eastern plains Posts: 11,232	Re: Baker: Phillips will hit clean up No surprise there.

02-19-2009, 10:58 AM	#4
pahster Something clever Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Carrboro, NC Posts: 1,898	Re: Baker: Phillips will hit clean up Let the winning continue!

02-19-2009, 10:59 AM	#5
OnBaseMachine Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 34,655	Re: Baker: Phillips will hit clean up This ticks me off. Phillips hitting cleanup vs LHP? Fine. Against RHP? Absolutely not. This offense is already going to have some problems scoring runs and it doesn't help matters that our manager can't fill out a decent lineup. Phillips need to either hit second where he'll maybe stop swinging for the fences, or sixth. Brandon Phillips is not a cleanup hitter and it's a shame Dusty Baker doesn't realize this. __________________ I miss Adam Dunn.

02-19-2009, 11:00 AM	#6
boognish Roster glue Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Covington Posts: 520	Re: Baker: Phillips will hit clean up Baker is a real spin doctor; so much of what comes out of his mouth is gobbledygook. I hope the Reds win some so we can focus on something different. __________________ Reds record when I am in attendance 2006-2009: 11-36 Reds record when I am in attendance 2010: 4-5

02-19-2009, 11:14 AM	#11
I(heart)Freel Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: West Side (No Diggity) Posts: 1,010	Re: Baker: Phillips will hit clean up I completely foresee Edwin taking on the clean up role shortly after the season starts. Baker doesnt want to pressure him or put him back in the swing for the fences mindset. But I can see him settling there soon enough. Would be great to move Brandon down to 2-hole. Still use his speed on the bases for Votto and Bruce. __________________ I have a love-hate relationship with Albert Pujols. Mostly hate.

02-19-2009, 11:35 AM	#13
fearofpopvol1 Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: New York, NY Posts: 8,633	Re: Baker: Phillips will hit clean up Awesome!! This upcoming season is getting better and more exciting by the day. I can't wait!!

02-19-2009, 11:45 AM	#15
membengal Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Baltimore Posts: 8,380	Re: Baker: Phillips will hit clean up Perhaps Gomes gets that start over Hairston?

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode