I think Aybar Will Bat 1st

[HaloRed16]

...when he gets back from the DL. Care to debate? Here's my take:

Sciosh will want the man who strikes out least, who has speed and can steal bases, who can bunt, and who can hit for avg. Aybar met across the board on this last year (http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/LAA/2012.shtml)

Trout was sensational of a leadoff hitter last year, no question, but he also SO 139 times. Trout gets on base frequently with the infield single, but so has Derek Jeter who has batted 2nd most of his career. Jeter hasn't SO more than 139 in any season but he did 125 in 1997. In the meantime, Jeter hasn't hit more HR than Trout in any season. Hence, Trout must stay lower in the order.

Look at Whitaker, 1984 (http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/DET/1984.shtml) who batted 2.89 and SO about the same amount of BB with a .357 OBP. He only stole 6 that year. But as a free swinger, he got on base right, right?

Aybar's best for #1 with this team.

[Broad Street]

What's wrong with P-Bo in the #1 spot?

[Chuck]

...when he gets back from the DL. Care to debate? Here's my take:

Sciosh will want the man who strikes out least, who has speed and can steal bases, who can bunt, and who can hit for avg. Aybar met across the board on this last year (http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/LAA/2012.shtml)

Trout was sensational of a leadoff hitter last year, no question, but he also SO 139 times. Trout gets on base frequently with the infield single, but so has Derek Jeter who has batted 2nd most of his career. Jeter hasn't SO more than 139 in any season but he did 125 in 1997. In the meantime, Jeter hasn't hit more HR than Trout in any season. Hence, Trout must stay lower in the order.

Look at Whitaker, 1984 (http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/DET/1984.shtml) who batted 2.89 and SO about the same amount of BB with a .357 OBP. He only stole 6 that year. But as a free swinger, he got on base right, right?

Aybar's best for #1 with this team.

I think you're correct.

[jshep]

I think you're right. But I also think it's a pretty poor fit, given Aybar's career .320 OBP.

 

Should just let Trout leadoff, the rest of the options there are less than ideal at best.

[AngelsLakersFan]

Trout did pretty well in the leadoff spot for us last year. Ya, we could probably squeeze a few more runs out of him by moving him down, but we have to look at the trade offs of batting someone else first. With Trout leading off he gets the most PA's of anyone on the team, do we really want to pass that on to Aybar instead? 

 

I would be really cool with the idea of batting Trout second if we had a reasonable candidate for the leadoff spot.

 

Shuck leading off last night worked out for us, but it would've been a big 'discussion' here had the game ended with Trout in the on deck circle.

[Taylor]

Trout did pretty well in the leadoff spot for us last year. 

 

There's the understatement of the century.

[stormngt]

I think you're right. But I also think it's a pretty poor fit, given Aybar's career .320 OBP.

 

Should just let Trout leadoff, the rest of the options there are less than ideal at best.

Trout and Aybar at 1 and 2 worked fine.  Why change it because Hamilton and Trumbo couldn't drive anyone in for two weeks?

[Brent Maguire]

I still think Trout is our best lead off hitter by far. The OBP issues for Aybar and Bourjos make them weaker candidates at the top.

[Jeff M]

I still think Trout is our best lead off hitter by far. The OBP issues for Aybar and Bourjos make them weaker candidates at the top.

 

Agreed. However, Trout is also our best #2 option.

[jshep]

Trout did pretty well in the leadoff spot for us last year. Ya, we could probably squeeze a few more runs out of him by moving him down, but we have to look at the trade offs of batting someone else first. With Trout leading off he gets the most PA's of anyone on the team, do we really want to pass that on to Aybar instead? 

 

I would be really cool with the idea of batting Trout second if we had a reasonable candidate for the leadoff spot.

 

Shuck leading off last night worked out for us, but it would've been a big 'discussion' here had the game ended with Trout in the on deck circle.

 

Ya, for sure. If they had a realistic alternative who could put up a strong OBP, I would be totally behind bumping Trout down.

 

But I'm not seeing that on the current roster.

[Stradling]

My opinion is that once Trout gets hot and it is just a matter of time, he will be moved back to the lead off spot where he belongs. 

[HaloRed16]

What's wrong with P-Bo in the #1 spot?

P-Bo must settle in, by hitting 9th to do so.