*Official* 2014 "sick" lineup thread

[stevestevens]

Now that we know the 9 guys who will get the majority of the starts, let us now start dreaming of the lineup that will pump out 800+ runs. 

 

Here is mine

 

Calhoun RF

Trout CF

Pujols 1B

Hamilton LF

Kendrick 2B

Ibanez DH

Conger C

Aybar SS

Freese 3B

 

The wild card is Freese.  I know that I am probably in the minority with Freese batting last but I want to build the lineup around Trout.  For some reason I think we see the 2013 Freese and not the 2012 Freese.  If we get the 2012 Freese, then he hits fifth.  If we get the 2013 Freese with little pop but high OBP then we have two guys batting in front of Trout that will be on base on a 350+ clip forcing teams to pitch to him and allowing Trout to see pitches and to drive in runs.  

 

Pujols and Hamilton better hit the crap out of the baseball, if we get the 2013 version of both these guys next year then AO might have a ranting partner next year. 

Edited December 19, 2013 by Stevestevens

[Quinlanforthewin]

I know it's not gonna happen but I like Calhoun as a 2 hitter and Trout at 3...

 

Aybar

Calhoun

Trout

Pujols

Hamilton

Kendrick

Ibanez

Freese

Conger

 

This is all predicated on Aybar learning how to steal a base.  I don't necessarily like him as a leadoff hitter but I like Calhoun second and Trout 3rd more.  This the first time I've realized how slow this lineup is btw except for Trout. 

[bloodbrother]

My crystal ball has the opening day lineup being

 

Calhoun, RF

Trout, CF

Pujols, 1B

Hamilton, LF

Freese, 3B

Ibanez, DH

Kendrick, 2B

Iannetta, C(I'd rather have Conger as the everyday starter but I'm not confident to say he will be at this stage)

Aybar, SS

[GregAlso]

First of all, please read this http://www.beyondtheboxscore.com/2009/3/17/795946/optimizing-your-lineup-by

so we can have an intelligent debate about line up construction, not that it really matters that much.

Calhoun RF

Trout CF

Hamilton LF

Pujols 1B

Freese 3B

Ibanez DH

Kendrick 2B

Conger/Iannetta C

Aybar SS

Ideally Iannetta's OBP has him leading off but he's so stinking slow. Calhoun probably leads off if his OBP is similar to last year but I hate waisting his HRs there, less people on base for him. Pujols bats 4th because he'll get more RBI opportunities there and because Trout is the best hitter on the team (bats second.) Please, before you respond to this post, read the article. <sigh> oh well, I ask too much.

Edited December 19, 2013 by GregAlso

[ELEVEN]

SIIIIIIIICK!!!!

[ELEVEN]

First of all, please read this http://www.beyondtheboxscore.com/2009/3/17/795946/optimizing-your-lineup-by

so we can have an intelligent debate about line up construction, not that it really matters that much.

Calhoun RF

Trout CF

Hamilton LF

Pujols 1B

Freese 3B

Ibanez DH

Kendrick 2B

Conger/Iannetta C

Aybar SS

Ideally Iannetta's OBP has him leading off but he's so stinking slow. Calhoun probably leads off if his OBP is similar to last year but I hate waisting his HRs there, less people on base for him. Pujols bats 4th because he'll get more RBI opportunities there and because Trout is the best hitter on the team (bats second.) Please, before you respond to this post, read the article. <sigh> oh well, I ask too much.

This lineup is poised to take the 2009 Pennant!

[Homebrewer]

Scioscia is still manager.

You can all take your dream lineups and stick em where the sun can't reach, because MS will be flippin you the bone.

[Brent Maguire]

Calhoun

Trout

Pujols

Hamilton

Freese

Kendrick

Ibanez

Ianetta/Conger

Aybar

 

That's a very well balanced lineup. There's a reasonable chance that every guy is an average hitter or better. Getting some actual production out of 3rd base, at least offensively, is going to be really nice. 

[Agalloch]

Calhoun

Freese

Trout

Pujols

Hamilton

Kendrick

Ibanez

Conger

Aybar

 

If Freese is back to his 2012 form (which seems reasonable) then I'd like him after Hamilton and scoot everyone else up.

Edited December 19, 2013 by Agalloch

[NorCal Halo]

R Trout CF

L Calhoun RF

R Pujols 1B

L Hamilton LF

R Freese 3B

L Ibanez DH

R Kendrick 2B

S Conger C

S Aybar SS

[Halos of Anaheim]

I can't take lists without Pujols hitting 3rd serious. He hasn't not hit 3rd in forever. I'm pretty sure it's in his contract or something.

[Stradling]

Albert will bat third but not forever, I would say if he isn't effective this could be his last year there.

[Angelsjunky]

bloodbrother and GregAlso have the same lineup, and I agree with it.

 

Funny, ELEVEN, although Trout was only 17 in 2009, so he might only hit .250 or so.

[Halos of Anaheim]

Albert will bat third but not forever, I would say if he isn't effective this could be his last year there.

Agreed with not forever, but he'll bat there as long as he plays decently. If he's outright bad you're right.

 

bloodbrother and GregAlso have the same lineup, and I agree with it.

 

Funny, ELEVEN, although Trout was only 17 in 2009, so he might only hit .250 or so.

They don't, one (Greg) thinks Pujols doesn't hit 3rd.

Edited December 19, 2013 by Halos of Anaheim

[Greg_Bearringer]

Let's be real: just about any combination we list here (assuming we stick to players who will actually play for the Halos) is possible. Calling my shot that this happens at one point:

 

 

Trout

Pujols

Freese

Ibanez

Hamilton

Kendrick

Aybar

Iannetta

Calhoun

[Halos of Anaheim]

Let's be real: just about any combination we list here (assuming we stick to players who will actually play for the Halos) is possible. Calling my shot that this happens at one point:

 

 

Trout

Pujols

Freese

Ibanez

Hamilton

Kendrick

Aybar

Iannetta

Calhoun

Pujols played all of his 391 at bats at #3 last year. In his last 3 seasons, he's played 1575 out of 1575 at bats at 3rd, those two other at bats most likely coming in as a pinch hitter. He does not hit anything other than 3.

[Stradling]

Calhoun

Trout

Pujols

Hamilton

Freese

Ibanez

Howie

Conger

Aybar

Not the only person to pick this line up but it makes the most sense. It's got a lot of lefty/righty back to backs. It's balanced and I actually like it a ton.

[19HALO71]

Calhoun

Trout

Pujols

Hamilton

Freese

Ibanez

Howie

Conger

Aybar

Not the only person to pick this line up but it makes the most sense. It's got a lot of lefty/righty back to backs. It's balanced and I actually like it a ton.

This!

[GregAlso]

I can't take lists without Pujols hitting 3rd serious. He hasn't not hit 3rd in forever. I'm pretty sure it's in his contract or something.

Read the article I posted in this thread and then maybe you'll understand why he shouldn't hit third. Then maybe I'll take you seriously.

[NorCal Halo]

I just can't see Calhoun as a lead-off guy.  His OBP is relatively low (especially compared to Trout)  and is a below-average base stealer with minimal speed (especially compared to Trout).  With Trout on first, Calhoun is going to see a lot of fast balls that he can pull.

Edited December 19, 2013 by NorCal Halo

[GregAlso]

I just can't see Calhoun as a lead-off guy. His OBA is relatively low (especially compared to Trout) and is a below-average base stealer with minimal speed (especially compared to Trout). With Trout on first, Calhoun is going to see a lot of fast balls that he can pull.

His OBP last year was .347, that's low? It was third highest on the team. He isn't slow. It's also been shown that pitchers pitch to batters not men on base.

[Chuck]

First of all, please read this http://www.beyondtheboxscore.com/2009/3/17/795946/optimizing-your-lineup-by

so we can have an intelligent debate about line up construction, not that it really matters that much.

Calhoun RF

Trout CF

Hamilton LF

Pujols 1B

Freese 3B

Ibanez DH

Kendrick 2B

Conger/Iannetta C

Aybar SS

Ideally Iannetta's OBP has him leading off but he's so stinking slow. Calhoun probably leads off if his OBP is similar to last year but I hate waisting his HRs there, less people on base for him. Pujols bats 4th because he'll get more RBI opportunities there and because Trout is the best hitter on the team (bats second.) Please, before you respond to this post, read the article. <sigh> oh well, I ask too much.

 

 

I would be happy with this, though I also like Trout hitting 3rd.

 

Here's mine....

 

RF Calhoun

SS Aybar

CF Trout

1B Pujols

LF Hamilton

2B Kendrick

DH Ibanez

3B Freese

C  Iannetta/Conger

 

I know Aybar isn't the prototypical leadoff hitter, but because of his low strikeout totals, good contact rate and bunting skills, I like him at #2 hitting ahead of Trout.

[NorCal Halo]

If pitchers pitched to batters and not runners then they wouldn't pitch from the stretch.

[GregAlso]

I would be happy with this, though I also like Trout hitting 3rd.

Here's mine....

RF Calhoun

SS Aybar

CF Trout

1B Pujols

LF Hamilton

2B Kendrick

DH Ibanez

3B Freese

C Iannetta/Conger

I know Aybar isn't the prototypical leadoff hitter, but because of his low strikeout totals, good contact rate and bunting skills, I like him at #2 hitting ahead of Trout.

That makes him the old school number two hitter but that costs us runs. In reality a #2 hitter gets nearly the same RBI opportunities and more ABs than a #3 hitter.

I don't want Aybar getting many ABs because he makes more outs with them, low OBP. If my lead off guy is getting on more than a third of the time then I want my #2 hitter to drive him in, not give himself up.

If the top 2 guys in the line up up can get on 35-40% of the time and they get more ABs then the team makes fewer outs, has longer sustained rallies, and scores more runs.

Aybar's stolen base ability profiles lower in the lineup where his CS won't hurt as much. His SB will help create more runs in front a singles hitter like Iannetta. His CS is more painful in front of a HR hitter like the heart of the order. Aybar should hit anywhere from 7th to 9th.

Edited December 19, 2013 by GregAlso

[Sam Sanchez]

My crystal ball has the opening day lineup being

 

Calhoun, RF

Trout, CF

Pujols, 1B

Hamilton, LF

Freese, 3B

Ibanez, DH

Kendrick, 2B

Iannetta, C(I'd rather have Conger as the everyday starter but I'm not confident to say he will be at this stage)

Aybar, SS

 

This is pretty much the exact line-up I set up on my MLB 13 The Show game I just played after downloading an updated roster. I did have Conger in the line-up over Iannetta is the only difference.