this article screams "jonesy in the two hole"

by joet on Feb 24, 2009 12:06 AM EST Comment 21 comments

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/2-hitters/#comment-63750

the idea is that with a high OBP, high stolen base attempt leadoff hitter, the guy in the two hole in the lineup is most likely to see a lot of fastballs to lessen the stolen base risk. with that in mind, a guy that has some power but doesn't hit curve balls well could be the perfect guy for that spot . isn't adam jones the prototype for that kind of hitter? come on dave, bat mora 7th this season please.

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Considering that we are not

going to contend, why not bat Jones at two and Nick at three? Let them attempt to get acclimated to the spots we would eventually like to see them in.

I know that there are those who will argue that Adam belongs down around sixth (following a FA bat at four and Mr. Wieters at five), however, I think placing him second shows that we have the confidence in him to produce from a crucial spot. He could really give us a formidable top 3, especially if this theory on number two hitters and fastballs is true…

The blues have always been American, as American as apple pie. The question is...why?

by sickuvitall on Feb 24, 2009 12:32 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

yeah, just as long as dave doesn't want him to bunt all the time.

i really don’t think he’s a good manager. he’s a pretty likeable guy, but he does a lot of stupid shit.

by joet on Feb 24, 2009 12:49 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm all for it

Jonesy knows he needs to be more selective. Let him show it. He’s a #2 hitter in the making. Let him learn on the job. Who else are we going to bat there – Mora?

Duck Around - a progressive blog about the Eastern Shore of Maryland. And getting off my lawn.

by duck on Feb 24, 2009 6:23 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

there isn't really any reason

to bat AJ second. Just because he looks like a 2 guy, he strikes out a ton, and most importantly, doesn’t walk. Even if he reaches the peak we would like him to, he still doesn’t ever project to be more than a .350 OBP guy. It makes way more sense to bat Nick second, and plan on eventually having Wieters 3rd and AJ 4th.

by ItsBenFeldman on Feb 24, 2009 12:55 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

for now I dont see Adam

in the second spot…I can see Nick or Matt eventually in the three/four slots but it also depends on who are filling our corner spots in the future and I would assume they might be the cleanup hitter with AJ in the five hole or even six hole.

When Brian, Nick, MM and Aubrey were hitting like last year why mess with that since they are all still here? Last year Nick struggled a bit and moving him to the two spot got him started again. So why put AJ in a spot that he clearly isnt ready for yet? Shoot, I would almost be afraid AJ might swing at a few pitchouts in the two spot….let Nick get the fastballs, get a hit or let pitchers throw him crap that Brian can run on, Nick can wait for a cripple pitch or get on so that MM and AH can knock them both home. Just seems like a plan that can always be adjusted later, esp if Huff is traded then everybody might have to slide anyway.

Adam Jones is still a very young hitter with very poor plate discipline and doesnt make consistent contact yet. Not the recipe for a two hitter and really hope he never resides there. Like to see him in the 5-6 slot assuming we bring in a slugging corner this year in trade or next offseason for 2010.

by sanders833 on Feb 24, 2009 1:13 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I guess if you

want to put a low OBP guy in the two hole I would almost be inclined to try Pie there…he has the speed, bunting ability, etc…. but I would just like to see Jones and Pie put in the lower end of the lineup and work on having quality ab’s for now.

by sanders833 on Feb 24, 2009 1:24 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

bunting ability

That’s what we need with what is a strong challenger for the worst pitching staff in baseball. Small ball. Don’t give ’em any more bunting ideas. Melvin will lay down more than his spontaneous share in the three hole.

Bad Left Hook
Camden Chat

"If they cut my bald head open, they will find one big boxing glove. That's all I am. I live it." -- Marvin Hagler

by SC on Feb 24, 2009 7:08 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I recall

Michael Jack Schmidt doing that quite a bit and it was certainly a thrill to see Cal try to beat one of those out occasionally….

My preferred lineup is BR, NM, MM and AH with no bunting….unless Brian drags one for a hit which I cant recall ever seeing…

by sanders833 on Feb 24, 2009 10:58 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Are we comparing Melvin Mora to Mike Schmidt now?

Bad Left Hook
Camden Chat

"If they cut my bald head open, they will find one big boxing glove. That's all I am. I live it." -- Marvin Hagler

by SC on Feb 24, 2009 6:57 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Yep

I give the bunting edge to MJS…and the falling down running edge to MM.

by sanders833 on Feb 25, 2009 12:22 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Pie is

sometimes compared to Crawford and he hits in the 2 spot for Tampa so at some point it could happen if he pans out. I would hope he is bunting more for hits then sacrifices, if it is part of your game you want to make the defense aware of it occasionally.

by sanders833 on Feb 24, 2009 11:05 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

He’s compared to Crawford because he projects as a great fielder with some wheels that at best will slap the ball around with a low OBP. If he turns out to be Crawford we win big, I’ll say that.

Bad Left Hook
Camden Chat

"If they cut my bald head open, they will find one big boxing glove. That's all I am. I live it." -- Marvin Hagler

by SC on Feb 24, 2009 6:59 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

we all know what Earl said

and yet the bunting talk still comes up.

by pipkin on Feb 24, 2009 6:51 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

remind me again

so the 79 flashbacks stop

by sanders833 on Feb 25, 2009 12:24 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

You asked for it...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWQbN0jFo_k

COMPLETELY, utterly, and totally Not Safe For Work language. Seriously. Not even close.

Duck Around - a progressive blog about the Eastern Shore of Maryland. And getting off my lawn.

by duck on Feb 25, 2009 4:58 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

That is the first

time I heard that. A riot…thanks.

by sanders833 on Feb 26, 2009 4:58 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

It was a goof

by Earl – never made the air, obviously, he and Tom Marr did is as a joke for some station employees. It eventually leaked on a gag reel put together by a station employee, and when YouTube hit, it became a legend. It really is Earl, but it REALLY never aired, for obvious reasons.

Duck Around - a progressive blog about the Eastern Shore of Maryland. And getting off my lawn.

by duck on Feb 26, 2009 6:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm sorry, did you say

you would eventually hit AJ in the cleanup hole. Not enough power, not enough OBP…

The blues have always been American, as American as apple pie. The question is...why?

by sickuvitall on Feb 24, 2009 9:53 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Well it could happen

but I agree, it would appear pedigree wise that Nick/Matt would man the 3/4 hole in 2010? But if the O’s could bring in say an Adrian Gonzalez well who knows what the lineup might look like. I kept thinking about the Angels and where they use Torii Hunter-this year Hunter will be batting cleanup but its more a statement about their deficiences then his proficiency.

By 2010 I think we see Adam with about 25 hr potential, knocking in about 85-95 runs and scoring about the same with say 15 steals or so and hitting about .275/.330. That is Torii Hunter to a tee. With a good corner 1b you could see Adam hitting sixth but you could leave Nick at two, with Matt three, slugging corner, then Adam or even the DH. That could be an awesome collection of hitters if we add a slugging corner infielder.

But other then Nick or MM I dont really see a good number two hitter at the moment for this year or even into 2010 unless Pie shows enough improvement-ideally he would be a candidate tools wise, Izzy isnt really it, unless the O’s target someone like that for third base. Now if Pie doesnt pan out, Freel/Montanez might go there or if Nolan got a chance-to early to call on those guys. I guess Freel makes the most sense when in the lineup.

by sanders833 on Feb 24, 2009 10:51 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I had always assumed

Huff was a placeholder at 4 until Wieters was ready to take over in 2010

1. B-Rob
2. Jonesy
3. Nicky
4. Wieters
5. Scott (as DH)
6. 1B to be named
7. 3B to be named
8. Izturis
9. Pie

Now everyone can tell me how I have the lefty-righty stuff all mixed up. :)

Duck Around - a progressive blog about the Eastern Shore of Maryland. And getting off my lawn.

by duck on Feb 24, 2009 12:09 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

the idea is that with a high OBP, high stolen base attempt leadoff hitter, the guy in the two hole in the lineup is most likely to see a lot of fastballs to lessen the stolen base risk

Or conversely, the guy batting behind Roberts gets a ton of balls because the pitcher is distracted by the runner.

My best game plan is to sit on the bench and call out specific instructions like 'C'mon Boog,' 'Get ahold of one, Frank,' or 'Let's go, Brooks.' -Earl Weaver

by Baltimo on Feb 24, 2009 3:06 PM EST reply actions 0 recs