Scutaro

by Schulz on Mar 19, 2010 1:54 PM EDT

I thought I'd share an article from ESPN Boston (a site definitely worth bookmarking if you haven't already). It talks about Scutaro's time as a minor league player, and the transition he is making to become what he is now. It's main theme is his increased patience and plate discipline over the last couple years, something that's been mentioned on this site. I have high hopes for Marco this year. He probably won't hit for a .300 avg, or 20 HR, or 80 RBI. I think his value will come as a table-setter / run scorer. If he can continue to draw a ton of walks, that would be ideal for our #9 hitter.

Anyway, check out the article, because its a pretty good read.

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This guy

Scored 100 runs last year for a less potent offense. With the way our lineup turns over, it won’t be much different this year in my opinion.

Whoever said it doesn't matter whether you win or lose, probably lost.

by David Harnden on Mar 19, 2010 5:20 PM EDT reply actions

He isn't likely to score 100 runs hitting at the bottom of the order

I gotta go 'cause I'm probably definitely gonna nod out again.

by Drugs Delaney on Mar 19, 2010 5:52 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm hoping

for at least 75. I should have clarified I meant in context. Its different going from leadoff to 9 hole of course, but with the way our lineup will potentially turn over, and his knack for getting on base, I think he’s capable of being a run scoring machine.

Whoever said it doesn't matter whether you win or lose, probably lost.

by David Harnden on Mar 19, 2010 5:58 PM EDT up reply actions

Exactly

I see the 9 hole as another table setting position. On days that Tek plays, I’d still rather bat Scutaro ninth, even though he is a better hitter than Varitek. He’ll get on base enough to score a ton in front of the top of our order.

by Schulz on Mar 20, 2010 9:30 PM EDT up reply actions

Why would you put Varitek directly ahead of Ellsbury?

It’s either an easy out, or worse still, Varitek gets on base ahead of Ellsbury, and basically clogs up the basepaths.

by lone1c on Mar 21, 2010 10:27 AM EDT up reply actions

that's my point

Conventional wisdom would suggest that you bat your worst hitter ninth, but when the lineup turns over that could be a bad thing.

by Schulz on Mar 22, 2010 12:16 AM EDT up reply actions

but then

wouldn’t Varitek just be an easy out before Scutaro and Ellsbury and blocking the bases for both the fast guys?

actually i don’t buy the base clogging thing in general. I’d rather have Sean Casey on first than no one on base when anyone comes to bat.

by wolf9309 on Mar 22, 2010 9:19 AM EDT up reply actions

Although

Many studies have shown that lineup order is essentially insignificant. I think if you play around with the optimal lineup generator, you’ll generally see differences of like 10-20 runs over the course of a whole season.

by Sologub on Mar 22, 2010 12:18 PM EDT up reply actions

yeah

i think where lineup order matters most is having the good offensive guys get more at bats. Of course there’s more to it than that- for example I like Ellsbury batting in front of pedroia because pedroia doubles a ton and ellsbury is usually fast enough to score on it. But I do think that batting order is overblown.

by wolf9309 on Mar 22, 2010 12:46 PM EDT up reply actions