"Leading off for the Giants and playing centerfield..."
by nogooddeed on Apr 13, 2010 10:04 AM PDT
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PrintBack last year when walks were considered cheating and OBP was thought by management to be just for nerds, Aaron Rowand was installed as the leadoff man. He hit reasonably well in that position. And there was a reason. Pitchers start games with the fastball being the preferred pitch. Rowand hits the fast ball well, he hits it hard, right up the middle. He can steal a base. He can ride a bike. He's in the best condition of his life. He got a haircut. So is he a leadoff hitter?
Where should he hit?
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In all seriousness, I don’t care where he hits anymore as long as it’s not lead off.
Belted!
by AndYourBirdCanSing on Apr 13, 2010 10:10 AM PDT up reply actions
Rowand would make a great 6-7-8 hitter on most teams in baseball.
I’d actually like to see Rowand 7 Molina 8 with this lineup. Putting high BB% guys in front of the pitcher spot is less useful.
Right now, I’d like to see Renteria or DeRosa leading off. Imagine that?
Renteria
DeRosa
Sandoval
Huff
Bowker
Uribe
Rowand
Molina
by FairweatherFan on Apr 13, 2010 10:09 AM PDT reply actions
Having Molina, a guy who isn't gonna walk anyway and will expand the zone regardless in front of the pitcher
makes some sense.
by FairweatherFan on Apr 13, 2010 10:10 AM PDT up reply actions
No it doesn'
Because you could never ever bunt him over.
My Son was the third most valuable Giant position player by WAR in 2009. A little sad, a little happy.
I predict that history will look kindly on the 09 offseason, even if we were pissed at the time.
Never EVER ever
"I don’t know why people feel the need to come up with reasons 'why' for everything..." - Missing Barry
by victor frankenstein on Apr 13, 2010 10:48 AM PDT up reply actions
On Carl Crawford's days off??
"I don’t know much about sabre-stats but there’s nothing better than white tea and poptarts first thing in the morning" - tk
Adopted parent of Nader Sherafat - Senior Accountant for the SF Giants; because without him, all hell breaks lose.
by Whiteteaandpoptarts on Apr 13, 2010 10:09 AM PDT reply actions
on Carlos Beltran's Days off, AMIRITE?
by FairweatherFan on Apr 13, 2010 10:10 AM PDT up reply actions
subject line
Jonathan Sanchez: Often maddening to watch, but capable of perfection on a moment's notice---just like his adoptive father.
Protip:
Don’t use the flash when taking a picture with a reflective object in the background.
by FairweatherFan on Apr 13, 2010 10:11 AM PDT up reply actions
I know you nerds know NOTHING about the real game of baseball, or any other athletic endeavor requiring teamwork under physical stress.
Mr. F! | comics | art | New Nattowear | Unofficial McImage Directory
by Natto on Apr 13, 2010 10:36 AM PDT up reply actions 6 recs
OMFG
To be perfectly fair, the fact that it could only reasonably apply to Hitler does make the discussion kind of moot.
by howtheyscored on Apr 13, 2010 10:43 AM PDT up reply actions
Always funny.
Adopted Giant: Clayton Tanner
by walkoff baltimore chop on Apr 13, 2010 10:57 AM PDT up reply actions
Not a reflective object in the background
It’s the Angel Gabriel!
Proudly adopted Aubrey Huff. You can't beat that!
Protip: If you can’t use your fucking camera and turn off the flash don’t take pictures of the Mona Lisa. (Sign says no flash photography, but no one is capable of turning the flash off)
Matt Graham is an anagram for .... why don't you ask the scrabble expert!
by say hey nation on Apr 13, 2010 11:49 AM PDT up reply actions
Rowand
I think they have him leading of specifically so he doesn’t GIDP. Oddly, he still manages to find a way.
Honorary parent of Duane Kuiper, beloved broadcaster and power hitting coach for the Giants.
“And there’s a ground ball to short; the shortstop throws over to the…catcher? And now he’s tagged Renteria, who was standing in the on-deck circle, and throws to first, and Rowand is out at first. I don’t know what was going on there…and now they’re saying that Renteria is out even before he got to bat! Bochy is coming out of the dugout to argue, and he’s got good cause, because I don’t know how Rowand managed to ground into a double play leading off the game!”
Goodbye, Steven Johnson, we hardly knew ye. Seriously, that was short.
in a Yankees uniform
Tommy Joseph is the Dingerzball Wizard
by SoFa King Mike on Apr 13, 2010 10:21 AM PDT reply actions
Knowing that it will be Derosa, Rowand and (hopefully) Bowker in the outfield even before Freddy Sanchez comes off the bench, there is no leadoff hitter. Before Sanchez returns I hope the Giants try Lewis in left with Derosa at second and Bowker in right. But honestly, Rowand might as well hit leadoff since I see no one else who can.
I couldn't be prouder of my recent adoptee - Tim Lincecum's dealer. He provides the secret fuel behind both Cy Youngs. Also, he taught Timmy the change-up.
by giantsfansince1981 on Apr 13, 2010 10:22 AM PDT reply actions
San Jose
To be perfectly fair, the fact that it could only reasonably apply to Hitler does make the discussion kind of moot.
We seem to be doing fine with him leading off. Much better to get an out early in the game with nobody on than a GIDP at a critical point in the 2nd or 3rd innings.
Proud father of Mark Gardner(29 years my senior): mastermind of our airtight relief corps, local boy, and owner of an unofficial no-no against the Dodgers.
And if he actually gets on then we have a leadoff man on.
Proud father of Mark Gardner(29 years my senior): mastermind of our airtight relief corps, local boy, and owner of an unofficial no-no against the Dodgers.
Thanks Bip
Proud adopted parent of Jackson Williams, performing a public service by forcing Buster Posey's move to 1B in 2012.
Don't give him the game ball Dusty, you'll jinx it...
by The Neuschler on Apr 13, 2010 12:15 PM PDT up reply actions
Zito hits the 10-hole AMIRITE?
Adopted Giant: Mike Krukow.
Grab Some Pine, Meat
Kevin Frandsen: Better than any SS on the Giants roster
Hoping for BowkerMania to hit AT&T Park in 2010
He’s not walking, but he’s hitting OK as the leadoff hitter right now. It’s still too early to be shuffling people all around the lineup anyway, especially since the Giants are winning. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
by deuce deuce on Apr 13, 2010 11:02 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs
Oh, and for the record, he has a line of .286/.306/.371. He was hit by a pitch to boost his OBP.
OBP!!!
Yeah, any word if that will keep him out. He left the game after that, but that was maybe just a defensive decision.
I couldn't be prouder of my recent adoptee - Tim Lincecum's dealer. He provides the secret fuel behind both Cy Youngs. Also, he taught Timmy the change-up.
by giantsfansince1981 on Apr 13, 2010 11:15 AM PDT up reply actions
Schulman said it was sore but x-rays were negative
Proudly adopted Aubrey Huff. You can't beat that!
I haven't heard anything
but since Maholm is a lefty I could see Torres starting in CF today and Bowker/Nate starting in RF
Adopted Giant: Mike Krukow.
Grab Some Pine, Meat
Kevin Frandsen: Better than any SS on the Giants roster
Hoping for BowkerMania to hit AT&T Park in 2010
I’ll take it!
Utter frustration and futility.
Adopted 'nephew' to the ever avuncular and always awesome Jon Miller
by Johnny Disaster on Apr 13, 2010 2:37 PM PDT up reply actions
I was enthused for a day or 2 when opposing pitchers forgot how to pitch Rowand. Now I will ask, again, how a Lewis/Torres platoon could be any worse as the centerfielder/leadoff?
proud, yes I said proud, adoptive papa of "Geno" Eugenio Velez
I heard someone on KNBR during ST...
…might have been Schulman…saying all Spring long pitchers weren’t throwing him breaking balls.
It’s like they were saying, “What’s the challenge in getting him out with a slider in the dirt?”
Proudly adopted Aubrey Huff. You can't beat that!
Waht, no Ford or Lewis mention? :(
Matt Graham is an anagram for .... why don't you ask the scrabble expert!
by say hey nation on Apr 13, 2010 11:49 AM PDT reply actions
Who?
I couldn't be prouder of my recent adoptee - Tim Lincecum's dealer. He provides the secret fuel behind both Cy Youngs. Also, he taught Timmy the change-up.
by giantsfansince1981 on Apr 13, 2010 12:03 PM PDT up reply actions
10th
Giant Dirtbags: John Bowker, Steve Hammond.
Jeremy Affeldt induces DP's
by Giant among Angels on Apr 13, 2010 12:02 PM PDT reply actions
Anywhere in the Dodgers lineup
Proud adopted parent of Jackson Williams, performing a public service by forcing Buster Posey's move to 1B in 2012.
Don't give him the game ball Dusty, you'll jinx it...
IN MY DREAMS!!
/worst thing i have ever said
Brian Sabean strongly encourages you to disregard the drudgery of your employment responsibilities and join him in the consumption of spirituous libations.
THIS ISN’T A JOKE, MAN
I know you nerds know NOTHING about the real game of baseball, or any other athletic endeavor requiring teamwork under physical stress.
Mr. F! | comics | art | New Nattowear | Unofficial McImage Directory
I come here for news, not jokes!
Brian Sabean strongly encourages you to disregard the drudgery of your employment responsibilities and join him in the consumption of spirituous libations.
It's all I got - sorry
Utter frustration and futility.
Adopted 'nephew' to the ever avuncular and always awesome Jon Miller
by Johnny Disaster on Apr 13, 2010 2:39 PM PDT up reply actions
Although the amusing answers were…amusing, I’ll take a stab at an answer. IF we had a dependable lead-off hitter, and IF Panda is again the slugging menace we need, THEN I’d try batting Rowand third, just ahead of Sandoval. With a runner on base, and a slugger coming up behind, opposing pitchers just might throw some fastballs to Rowand.
However, I agree with the basic premise: Rowand is unplayable at any position (with apologies to Ralph Nader) in the lineup.
Tell me again how many days left until 2013 Opening Day?
"And we plead and we pray for a glimmer of day,
As the night folds its wings and descends, exposing the loose ends."
Proud adoptive parent of Sergio Romo. Looking forward to adopting Justin Smoak.
Sandoval should hit cleanup, Lewis should be leading off, and Posey should be hitting second. Huff should be 3rd and DeRosa 5th.
Proud father of Barry Zito. As long as he keeps throwing strikes, that is.
I mean there is no fucking way it happens… I have accepted that. But I think it fits best into the modern lineup construction models. Posey is potentially our best hitter, up there with Sandy. But Sandy is the easy choice for 4 with the power. Lewis is our OBP guy, and Huff/Molina is the power guy, with DeRosa being the solid hitter with medium power.
Proud father of Barry Zito. As long as he keeps throwing strikes, that is.
I rmemeber there was an articles about maximizing the Giants' lineup last season.
I’ll try to find it, but I remember that Rowand was the clear choice for leadoff.
VAE PVTO DEVS FIO
Yeah… probably. It’s just a distasteful thought. And I think a lot of it also comes down to what you think Lewis can do. I think he can put up a 350+ OBP, which would make him a good choice. If you’re projecting Lewis for significantly less than that, then there is no question that he is not your lead-off hitter.
Proud father of Barry Zito. As long as he keeps throwing strikes, that is.
Well, IIRC, Lewis was batting second or third. The argument for Rowand basically came down to “as bad as he is, he’s still the third or fourth best hitter on the team, he’s a good base runner (though not a base stealer, which actually isn’t all that important for lead off men since they shouldn’t really be running much with the middle of the order due up).”
VAE PVTO DEVS FIO
Sandy?
The Giants offseason moves - "meh"
Proud father of 2-time Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum, who could do whatever he wants to do.
Sandoval
I know you nerds know NOTHING about the real game of baseball, or any other athletic endeavor requiring teamwork under physical stress.
Mr. F! | comics | art | New Nattowear | Unofficial McImage Directory
I know but “Sandy” as a nickname?
The Giants offseason moves - "meh"
Proud father of 2-time Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum, who could do whatever he wants to do.
MonkeyChow is Bochy.
I know you nerds know NOTHING about the real game of baseball, or any other athletic endeavor requiring teamwork under physical stress.
Mr. F! | comics | art | New Nattowear | Unofficial McImage Directory
Sigh.
It amazes me how many people seem to forget that Andres Torres is on this team. Of course, he—like an awful lot of players—can’t give you much unless he gets some reasonably regular play. But I’d much rather have him out in CF (or RF) than what’s there now. Let’s see—high OBP, power, speed; yup, need to bench this guy before he makes Sabes look bad for signing a mediocrity off his career year in a bandbox. And let the Fresno Flash have RF. Oookaaaay.
Professional baseball analyst since 1980.
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