*Official* 2014 "sick" lineup thread

[GoodTimesGoneBad]

I'm pretty sure at the winter meetings scioscia said trout would be batting in the middle of the order. It'll probably be

Aybar

Trout

Pujols

Hamilton

Kendrick

Ibanez

Freese

Ianetta

Calhoun

[nate]

Calhoun

Trout

Pujols

Hamilton

Freese

Ibanez

Kendrick

Iann/Cong

Aybar

[NorCal Halo]

I'm pretty sure at the winter meetings scioscia said trout would be batting in the middle of the order. It'll probably be

 

If that is the case (even after considering Greg's article) I would rather see Trout bat third than second.  But I still think his OBA is much more valuable to the team as a lead-off hitter.

[GregAlso]

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

The research shows pitch selection does not change with even a good base stealer on base. Logic also states that if you get the guy at the plate out you have a better chance of minimizing runs scored. Just think, who is more dangerous, the batter or the runner? Only a foolish pitcher would serve a FB to a FB hitter with someone on base.

This was all proved by Howie not getting FB when hit second for the Angels.

Edited December 19, 2013 by GregAlso

[GregAlso]

If that is the case (even after considering Greg's article) I would rather see Trout bat third than second. But I still think his OBA is much more valuable to the team as a lead-off hitter.

wOBA or OBP?

What is your reasoning for batting him third over second? He'll come to the plate more with two outs nobody on than in the second spot.

[mrwicked]

Calhoun

Trout

Pujols

Hamilton

Freese

Ibanez

Kendrick

Iann/Cong

Aybar

 

thats what im thinking too.

[ScottT]

I want Calhoun and Trout at the top of the order.  Beyond that, I'd juggle 3-7 based on who is doing well and who isn't. This is how I'd start.   

 

Calhoun

Trout

Pujols

Hamilton

Kendrick

Ibanez

Freese

Ianetta/Conger

Aybar

[ettin]

vs. LHP

 

Calhoun

Trout

Pujols

Freese

Kendrick

Hamilton

Green

Iannetta

Aybar

 

vs. RHP

 

Calhoun

Trout

Pujols

Hamilton

Kendrick

Ibanez

Freese

Conger

Aybar

[ScottT]

Actually, I'd bat Ianetta 9th. Trout bats 2nd, but behind guys that posted a .358 and .347 OBP last year.  

Edited December 19, 2013 by ScottT

[Angel Oracle]

I still think that the early season injury affected Aybar longer than anyone let on.

He was 50 for 60 in SBs in 2011-2012, had a .740 OPS in those seasons, and was as good defensively as any SS in the AL. 

[Brent Maguire]

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.

Calhoun has a OBP over .400 in the past 2 years in the minors and had a .347 OBP up in his time here.

 

I have no reason to believe that he isn't going to get on base at an above average rate. Good pop too and a decent baserunner so he's a great guy to have at the top. 

[monkeywithahalo]

I think we are all forgetting one very important factor:

[Halos of Anaheim]

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.

So not only are you unaware of how this team works, you have terrible reading comprehension as well. That sucks.

 

I clearly stated that Pujols won't hit anywhere other than 3rd due to Scoscia, Dipoto, Moreno and himself all somehow agreeing (same with the manager, GM and owner in St.Louis who had him playing #3 every year as well). I did not say that I wanted him hitting 3rd. Keep up kiddo.

[Jim]

All you guys have forgotten to pencil in Shuck as lead off, you know Scioscia won't... forget that is.  

[YouthofToday]

All you guys have forgotten to pencil in Shuck as lead off, you know Scioscia won't... forget that is.

My thoughts exactly. The Shuckmeister will lead this lead's batting order more than 80 times this year -- book it.

[jshep]

You really think Scioscia can limit himself to 82 games maximum where Aybar leads off?

[YouthofToday]

You really think Scioscia can limit himself to 82 games maximum where Aybar leads off?

Ahh yes, this too. This team needs Aybar gritty leadership and inability to take pitches to show the rest of the lineup what the SP has that day...

[full circle]

Trout

Calhoun

Pujols

Hamilton

Freese

Ibanez

Kendrick

Conger

Aybar

 

Really do not want to see Trout and Pujols bunched together again.  Trout could steal 50+ bags easily hitting in front of Calhoun and he's the best OBP guy we have, it's a no-brainer to me.  I don't care how many RBI's Trout gets, I want to start rallies, pressure pitchers early, and get our best hitter the most plate appearances.  We're paying 50+ million dollars to two guys who are supposed to be the RBI guys.  Let's give them a lot of opportunities to be just that.  

[Scott34]

The lineups with Pujols not hitting 3rd and Trout leading off are immediately void.

[Stradling]

Except there's about a 50% chance that Trout will lead off and about a 100% chance Pujols will start the year batting 3rd.

[Scott34]

Except there's about a 50% chance that Trout will lead off and about a 100% chance Pujols will start the year batting 3rd.

You misred, Pujols will definitely be hitting third.

Scioscia already said that Trout isn't leading off.

[SigBaby]

1. Calhoun RF

2. Trout CF

3. Pujols 1b

4. Hamilton LF

5. Kendrick 2b

6. Ibanez DH

7. Freese 3b

8. Conger C

9. Aybar SS

 

Ianetta, Green, Romine, Shuck

[Stradling]

You misred, Pujols will definitely be hitting third.

Scioscia already said that Trout isn't leading off.

Ok I didn't misread I just didn't see Scioscia's quote. I guess it almost has to be Calhoun leading off, or else it will be Aybar.

[Brent Maguire]

Trout hitting 2nd is fine. He just needs to be stealing more bags next year, whether Pujols likes that or not. 

 

I'd like to see Trout get over 40 SB next year. 

Edited December 22, 2013 by Angels_Baseball

[Docwaukee]

Trout has to steal some bags early on so Albert gets some meaty fastballs.

i think Freese is gonna have a good year.  Getting him out of Stl where his baggage was as well as the expectation that he perform like the WS hero will be a good thing.