John Kruk thinks Mike Trout will bat second...

[HaloRed16]

ESPN's John Kruk uttered on Baseball Tonight before Sunday's game that the Angels believe Mike Trout will eventually bat 2nd.

 

There's no denying it.  You can't have somebody bat in between but Trout, Pujols, and Ham successively for this lineup to maximally produce runs.  Especially, as Ham can catch Pujols on the basepaths now, they have to bat Pujols 4th until he overcomes that Platar Faciatis. 

 

As soon as opening day tomorrow, I believe this will be the lineup:

Aybar

Trout

Hamilton

Pujols

Trumbo

Kendrick

Callaspo

Ianetta

Bourjos

 

[Wallerrrr]

ESPN's John Kruk uttered on Baseball Tonight before

 

quit reading

[eaterfan]

Assuming it is a problem having someone batting between Trout and Pujols the answer isn't to get Trout less PA's and bat him second. The solution is moving Pujols and Hamilton up in the lineup and getting them more AB's.

[Tank]

edge:lowell kruk

[HaloCory22]

Anything that John Kruk says... Do the opposite. 

[AZMike]

Assuming it is a problem having someone batting between Trout and Pujols the answer isn't to get Trout less PA's and bat him second. The solution is moving Pujols and Hamilton up in the lineup and getting them more AB's.

 

This. Aybar's OBP isn't great so the benefit of Trout having potenitally one more RBI opportunity (Aybar on base) in the first inning is less than the advantage of Trout getting more plate appearances himself.

[Oz27]

If we had a viable leadoff alternative, there'd be some merit in this discussion. For example, if we traded Callaspo for 2009 Figgins, then I'd lead off with 2009 Figgins, with Trout, Pujols and Hamilton behind him. But as our only viable leadoff hitter, Trout stays in that position by default.

[full circle]

Ummmm no. Swap Pujols and Hamilton and call it a day.

[Brian Ilten]

Trout isn't hitting yet... why go screwing around with the lineup if guys are living up to their potential?

[Hubs]

Put Hamilton 2nd. Only if the new 4-5-6 hits though.

 

Trout

Hamilton

Pujols

Trumbo

Iannetta

Callaspo

Kendrick

Aybar

Bourjos (could also hit 2nd if he hits like in 2011)

[The God of Runs]

Fact: John Kruk is fat

[AZMike]

Put Hamilton 2nd. Only if the new 4-5-6 hits though.

 

Trout

Hamilton

Pujols

Trumbo

Iannetta

Callaspo

Kendrick

Aybar

Bourjos (could also hit 2nd if he hits like in 2011)

 

I like it (Aybar not near the top of the order)

[Chuck]

If anything, Mike Trout should bat third, but for now leading off is just fine.

 

Oh and yes, John Kruk is and idoit. 

[TobiasFunke]

Stopped reading after John Kruk

[Mark68]

This may have been mentioned before, but Iannetta has the ability to take a pitch and get on base. He might be a good #2 hitter.

 

Or Callaspo.

 

I've never liked Aybar in that spot.

[AZMike]

This may have been mentioned before, but Iannetta has the ability to take a pitch and get on base. He might be a good #2 hitter.

 

Or Callaspo.

 

I've never liked Aybar in that spot.

 

Assuming Trout and Pujols remain in the #1 and #3 spots:

 

Iannetta > Callaspo > Kendrick > Bourjos > Hamilton > Trumbo > Aybar

[The Ghost of Bob Starr]

Old Native American saying,  "Man with one ball, knows dick about Trout's spot in lineup."

[tdawg87]

John Kruk is an obese mongoloid with a mic.

[jshep]

I stopped at "John Kruk thinks" because the whole discussion was starting with a false premise.

[Brandon]

I like Bourjos' at bats and want him to lead off followed by Trout, Ham, Pujols.

[DW711]

If anything, Mike Trout should bat third, but for now leading off is just fine.

 

Oh and yes, John Kruk is and idoit. 

 

exactly what I was thinking.

 

batting someone 2nd often means getting the runner over which would be a complete waste for him.

[Halos of Anaheim]

How many at bats would Trout lose throughout a 162 game season playing 2nd or 3rd instead of 1st? My guess is not much, and it may be better for the team overall.   Imagine trying to pitch to Trout, Pujols and Hamilton all back to back to back. 

[maximus p]

Haven't been able to watch much of the season so far, but what I have noticed is Trout not getting on base to lead off the game.  How many times during a typical 2 game span (say 10 at bats) does the leadoff hitter actually leadoff, 3 times, 4 times.  I like the idea of Trout batting other than leadoff.  Hamilton or Trout and then Pull Holes (pretty tough to get through that without a run or two being scored).  Wish we still had Morales, but...

 

SSS, I know.

[Brent Maguire]

Trout is perfect as a lead off hitter. Best OBP, most SB, tons of extra base power, etc. 

[The God of Runs]

Regardless, I do agree with the idea that Trout should be moved.  Traditionally, a man of his talents would be the #3 hitter.  But, without another legitimate lead-off option, there's no reason to move him.  If Bourjos continues to play well, then I would toy around with the idea of batting him lead-off and Trout bat 2nd.  But, again, if it were up to me, I want Trout to have 750 plate appearances this season.