"Good possibility" Ichiro won't lead hit leadoff in 2012
Says Eric Wedge. I'm thinking Ackley is the most likely to leadoff if Ichiro doesn't.
4 months ago
MilesC
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My problem with Ichiro hitting somewhere other than leadoff
is that then where do you hit him? I could be wrong, but you probably wouldn’t hit him 2nd because his infield hits become fielder’s choices/double plays. I don’t know if I’d want him hitting 3rd when he’d be pushing Smoak, Montero, or Carp off the 3rd spot.. So then what? Bottom of the order? Yuck.
I agree that Ackley makes the most sense as a replacement leadoff hitter though, with the OBP he can run up combined with a little speed (he only stole 6 bases last year, but he hit 7 triples…).
Seems a shame to waste Ackley at lead-off.
Guy’s got some pop in his bat. But I see little alternative to Ichiro at this point, which is why I’d rather he stay where he is.
I think he'll be popping regardless of where he hits.
Aside from the obligatory once per game, how many innings will he lead off? He’ll be fine.
Fans are typically idiots.
by The Typical Idiot Fan on Jan 25, 2012 9:58 PM PST up reply actions
This is one reason why I think people agonizing over who should bat where is silly.
Will guys who bat leadoff get more first-batter-of-the-inning opportunities than others? Probably slightly. I wonder if there’s a statistic on that.
by the tourist on Jan 25, 2012 11:30 PM PST up reply actions
Ackley will have nobody to drive in...
if he has Olivo, Ryan and Seager/Figgins leading into him.
--------------------------------
Just North of Wrigley Field
by jameslcrockett on Jan 26, 2012 1:12 PM PST up reply actions
Runs is runs.
While we can quibble over optimization (which Dave does over at USSM today), it doesn’t really matter that much if Ackley is driving in people who can’t get on base in the first hole or the third hole. Getting on base is what is important, and Ackley theoretically will do that better than anybody else on the Mariners.
Fans are typically idiots.
by The Typical Idiot Fan on Jan 26, 2012 1:21 PM PST up reply actions
Wedge mentions that he wants the leadoff hitter to see pitches, once again indicating the "Aggressive" quote was misunderstood.
He also says in the interview he’s not wild about putting Ackley 1st. He likes him in the 3 hole and 2 hole more.
...and now I'm here
by CapSea on Jan 25, 2012 9:00 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
While I'm still listening to the interview, everything I'm hearing is pretty encouraging.
...and now I'm here
He already said he's envisioning Guti in the 2nd spot though
(caveat: minds change obviously and I haven’t listened to this interview yet)
How does this work (on Montero catching days):
2) Gutierrez
3) Ackley
4) Montero
5) Smoak
6) Carp
leaving:
1 and 7-9) for Ichiro, Wells, Ryan, and Seager?
what?
Wants leadoff hitter to see pitches...
Selective hitters on the Roster right now:
Ackley
Smoak
Uh…
Fans are typically idiots.
by The Typical Idiot Fan on Jan 25, 2012 10:00 PM PST up reply actions
Seager might be an option, although it's an awful lot of pressure.
He did strike out a bit in 2010 when he ran a 94/71 K/BB, but that was in some 643 plate appearances, which makes the Ks seem less dramatic. He went from 14.6% Ks that year to 12.0% between double and triple-A in 2011, but the walks went from 11% to 8.9%. It’s a consideration. He wouldn’t be the worst guy to try.
Seager was my first thought.
After disqualifying Ichiro and Ackley from the leadoff spot, he seems to make sense to me.
by the tourist on Jan 25, 2012 11:27 PM PST up reply actions
If it's not Ichiro, it has to be Ackley.
Unless maybe Jaso? He did hit leadoff for the Rays sometimes…
I keep forgetting he's on the team as well.
Every time someone reminds me a small part of my soul dies.
by Cascadian Man on Jan 26, 2012 7:40 AM PST up reply actions
This is what I was going to say.
I think Jaso was one of the few catchers to hit leadoff, some weird stat like that.
Hey, if he’s the good John Jaso, sure. But then again, that would apply to almost any of our hitters.
follow @casetines
by Kenneth Arthur on Jan 26, 2012 10:04 AM PST up reply actions
He should've never been taken out of the leadoff spot in the first place!
Along with moving him to second the Mariners ruined his confidence! This is why the Mariners are the worstest.
In all seriousness though, if Ichiros not leading off I wouldn’t mind seeing if Figlet still has a pulse.
by SuperDopaLiciousFunkStar on Jan 26, 2012 4:34 AM PST via mobile up reply actions
I would.
Putting Figgins out there just seems like a waste of an bat. Remember that time he struck out looking on 3 straight pitches?
Aaron Curry is the first Seahawk since Walter Jones to have a legitimate shot at Hall of Fame induction - John Morgan
by Fearless Frog on Jan 29, 2012 2:12 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
This seems like one of these stories that's big on opening day "Ichiro hits 8th!"
Two weeks later, “Ichiro, hitting .320, will move back to the leadoff spot.”
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by Kenneth Arthur on Jan 26, 2012 10:05 AM PST reply actions 1 recs
You bat your best hitters 1st, 2nd, and 4th right?
And our best hitters are projected to be Ackley, Montero, and Smoak. After that, Carp, who should bat like 3rd of 5th. Then the next tier is Wells, Seager, and Ichiro who you put in the other slots in whatever order.
Mariners fan in SF :: @Eric_Dykstra
If Carp stays the all swing/power no patience Carp of 2011, I'd rather see him hit 5th.
Then you have Ichiro hit 3rd.
6-9 would be SS, 3B, CF, and LF/C/DH (wherever Carp and Montero aren’t playing).
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