The 2 spot
Fans,
This is become a spot of contention for me. I understand the theory of what you want as a prototypical 2 spot hitter in your lineup. You want contact and an ability to move runners up into scoring position if there are less than 2 out.
Bless Ben Zobrist's heart out. I love his attitude, he brings his glove to the party and does his best on the field. However what he is not is a premier, let alone prototypical top of the lineup hitter. And neither is Brendan Harris for that matter. Quite frankly, even though the thought of Zobrist hitting in front of Crawford could be sound, he is not in my mind a hitter that can be a top of the order guy.
I would hope in short order that Maddon does the right thing (in my mind) and flip Upton (or Iwamura) with Zobrist and put Upton (Iwamura) in the 2 spot and let Zobrist bat at the bottom of the order. Let the top of the order be as dynamic as can be.
Also in the 7th inning tonight, Perlozzo brought in a matchup left hander (John Parrish) to turn and flip Zobrist to the right side of the box and got the key out of the game in my mind. I know there is discussion about LOOGY's here, but the statistical analysis sure won out tonight.
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Comments
I agree
I would personally like to see Upton, Iwamura, or Dukes in that spot. Dukes and Iwamura are slower than Zobrist, but they provide on base skills, better ones at that, and can back them up with the ability to hit. If Upton and Dukes can hit in the No. 9 hole, there is no reason Zobrist can't. When the primary function of your No. 2 hitter is seemingly to bunt, you have an issue.
by Patrick L. Kennedy on Apr 17, 2007 12:39 AM EDT 0 recs
Re: The 2 spot
Zobrist is going to play his 140 games this year, and he will somewhat righten his ship, but is just not the right guy. Also that AB in the 7th inning bothered me as that killed the rally and took the steam right out of the game.
by joedobr on Apr 17, 2007 12:46 AM EDT 0 recs
Re: You don't have to convince me
by god allah star on
Apr 17, 2007 3:08 AM EDT
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Re: The 2 spot
There should be a different mindset to the guy dropped in this slot and i'm not sure if he ever hit there in japan or for that matter the philosophy of a 2nd hitter in japan but i think out of all of the options he is the best.
In my opinion the Z-man and a very nice surprise we found in harris are just place holders for Reid. Whom ever is playing SS should be much lower in the order.
by bpoe13 on Apr 18, 2007 10:36 AM EDT 0 recs
Re: The 2 spot
I'd rather see BJ at 1 or 2 (Rocco the other in the pair), or Aki leading off to split him from CC. Having Aki down in the order has been effective, but his OBP suggests he could bring something to the table in this role as well. I'd prefer BJ at leadoff - he K's too much for the 2 hole in my view.
Bobr has expressed his happiness at BJ at 9 leading into the top of the order, but that takes an AB away from him each game and gives it to Zob. Not the right choice right now. BJ would lead in to the heart of the lineup 1 more time almost every game at the top. Zob can clearly serve the role of the pitcher in an NL oriented approach by sac'ing, and maybe the reduced pressure would allow him to settle down at the bottom of the lineup.
by nyyfaninlaaland on Apr 18, 2007 4:47 PM EDT 0 recs
Re: The 2 spot
BenZo will never be more than what he is. I don't care if he is unlucky or not. Upton is the better hitter there ultimately no matter what Joe Maddon says or believes, with all due respect to him. But hey, that's what makes us fans. I have my own idea what a top of the order is about and the New Yorker in LA is right. You want that lineup to turnover so you get that extra AB later in the game.
by joedobr on Apr 18, 2007 11:33 PM EDT 0 recs
Re: The 2 spot
I think you need Upton to lead off followed by Crawford in the 2 spot then Baldelli, Wiggy, and Delmon. Crawford wants to hit third for better stats but he would be better as a lead off spot but we want to keep CC happy.
by Elgrandeplatano on Apr 19, 2007 1:01 AM EDT 0 recs
Re: The 2 spot
by JWallace on Apr 19, 2007 5:38 PM EDT 0 recs
Re: The 2 spot
Seems he's already signaled a more frequent switch to Harris - likely this will provide cover for finding a new struture at the top of the lineup, moving BZ down when he does play.
by nyyfaninlaaland on
Apr 19, 2007 6:41 PM EDT
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