What should the batting order be?

[nate]

Why are people so against Aybar leading off?

[jshep]

Because he's bad at the biggest thing a leadoff hitter is supposed to be good at.

[Brent Maguire]

Why are people so against Aybar leading off?

Because of his career .319 OBP.

That's a bottom of the order hitter, not a guy you want setting the table for Trout, Pujols and Hamilton.

[Angel Oracle]

Aybar might have been a prototypical mid-1960s #2 hitter for a weak hititng lineup like the Raviners, where the #2 hitter did a lot of moving runners up to manufacture runs.

But today, he belongs as the 2nd leadoff hitter in the #9 spot.

[Homebrewer]

Why are people so against Aybar leading off?

Even if he somehow managed to get on base, he would get picked off, forget the count, etc...

One of the worst base runners I've seen, ever.

[Richard]

Why are people so against Aybar leading off?

 

Since 2010, the Angels have given Aybar more than enough opportunity to take over the lead off spot and he has produced mediocre at best results. If they do decide to make him lead off again, they will have wasted half a decade trying to make Erick Aybar a lead off hitter.

[Hubs]

Aybar also doesn't take enough pitches, because while he doesn't strike out, he doesn't walk often either. 

 

In 2012, he had 554 plate appearances. In those plate appearances, he put the ball in play on the first pitch in 114 of those. That's over 20% of his PA. He had good numbers when doing that (a .790 OPS). In another 20% he made contact on the second pitch (1-0 or 0-1) count. He had another 20% that lasted to 3 pitches (2-0, 1-1, 0-2) before he put the ball in play (or struck out). 

 

So in 60% of his plate appearances, he saw three pitches or less. That's not someone you want hitting 2nd with Trout on the bases. It neutralizes Trout's running ability.

 

In 2013, he also did better swinging on the first pitch than when he didn't. He also swung on the first pitch 30% of the time, putting the ball into play about 14% of the time. 22% lasted two pitches and 22% lasted three. That's pretty much in line with what he did the year before. 

 

By Contrast, Trout in 2012, when he was mainly the leadoff guy, put the first pitch into play only 5% of his plate appearances. He put the 2nd pitch into play 15% of the time, and the third pitch into play (or struck out on three pitches) 23.5% of the time. Meaning that more than 55% of his AB's lasted three pitches or more.

 

Finally, Calhoun last year swung at the first pitch 23% of the time, making contact 10% of the time. 2nd pitch into play 15% of the time, third pitch 22.5% of the time.

53% of his PA lasted more than three pitches.

 

Granted, Calhoun did have his best stats when he put the first pitch into play. 

[Richard]

Has there been any explanation given as to why Trout is no longer being considered a lead off option? 

[tdawg87]

Aybar is also mentally challenged.

[Mark68]

Aybar also doesn't take enough pitches, because while he doesn't strike out, he doesn't walk often either. 

 

In 2012, he had 554 plate appearances. In those plate appearances, he put the ball in play on the first pitch in 114 of those. That's over 20% of his PA. He had good numbers when doing that (a .790 OPS). In another 20% he made contact on the second pitch (1-0 or 0-1) count. He had another 20% that lasted to 3 pitches (2-0, 1-1, 0-2) before he put the ball in play (or struck out). 

 

So in 60% of his plate appearances, he saw three pitches or less. That's not someone you want hitting 2nd with Trout on the bases. It neutralizes Trout's running ability.

 

In 2013, he also did better swinging on the first pitch than when he didn't. He also swung on the first pitch 30% of the time, putting the ball into play about 14% of the time. 22% lasted two pitches and 22% lasted three. That's pretty much in line with what he did the year before. 

 

By Contrast, Trout in 2012, when he was mainly the leadoff guy, put the first pitch into play only 5% of his plate appearances. He put the 2nd pitch into play 15% of the time, and the third pitch into play (or struck out on three pitches) 23.5% of the time. Meaning that more than 55% of his AB's lasted three pitches or more.

 

Finally, Calhoun last year swung at the first pitch 23% of the time, making contact 10% of the time. 2nd pitch into play 15% of the time, third pitch 22.5% of the time.

53% of his PA lasted more than three pitches.

 

Granted, Calhoun did have his best stats when he put the first pitch into play. 

This is why I think Calhoun should lead off, with Aybar second. This is because Trout would be an ideal leadoff hitter...if he didn't have the power that he does. His power would be wasted in the one spot, but Calhoun's ability to reach base would be good there. Aybar, at least, would not ground into the double plays that, say, Kendrick would, so there would be a good chance that Calhoun would be in scoring position because the one thing that Aybar does well is put balls into play (well, he does fake a pretty good bunt, too, and that's where I would actually not mind him bunting). That would be a good spot for a hit-and-run play, especially on the first two pitches.

 

That's probably the best way to utilize Scioscia's tendencies, as well.

 

This is all moot, however, because we all know that Pujols will be slotted into the #3 spot for the next 8 years.

[WallyWorld]

Why are people so against Aybar leading off?

 

Twice Erick Aybar has struck out on a pitch that hit his body.  Is more explanation needed?

[SoWhat]

Why are people so against Aybar leading off?

 

 

 

Case closed.

[Llewyn Davis]

That gif is so full of win.

[Brent Maguire]

 

 

 

Case closed.

Classic

[jshep]

It's a tough call, but I think my favorite part of that is the dugout reaction shots.

[Hubs]

Trout's power is not wasted as a leadoff guy.  Last season he hit 27 HR, 9 3B, and 39 2B in 157 games. The year before that he had 31 2B, 13 3B and 31 HR combined in AAA and SLC. Power is not his only attribute. They need to use him for his speed as he is younger. 

 

His career minor league slugging percentage was .516, in the majors he's hit better .544.

 

Calhoun has a minor league slugging percentage at .541 and in the majors last year it was .467. Granted Trout didn't play at SLC as much as Calhoun has...

 

Calhoun isn't nearly the player that Trout is of course, but he will hit for power. He is not JB Shuck or Reggie Willits. I think most believe he will have Kendrick power, but I think he'll hit better than that. 20 HR is not out of the question and 17 is likely. He'll have 40-50 XBH if he stays healthy and plays all year. Shuck had 25 last year.

 

Aybar can hit 7th, 8th, or 9th depending on who else is playing, but I don't want him near the top of the lineup.