The 2 Spot Debate

by thefillmore on Dec 12, 2011 10:37 PM PST

The Giants have 3 guys to fill two spots in the order ahead of Pandoval and Mr. Posey. It's assumed that Angel Pagan is the Giants new leadoff hitter heading into 2012, but Melky was also acquired to hit atop the order and set the table for Buster and Pablo. This begs the question, where does Freddy Sanchez go?

The Giants won the World Series with Freddy Sanchez batting second in the order, it was a formula that seemed to be pretty damned successful. Pending his health, Freddy should be ready to go once the season starts back up again, and most of us expect that he'll be back in his normal spot in the batting order. This presents a peculiar pregunta though, where does Melky go if Freddy is batting number two? Do you bat him after Posey and Sandoval and before Huff and Schierholtz, do you drop him to the bottom of the order to spread the pop around? Or do you just boot Freddy out of the spot that he has rightfully earned during his tenure in San Francisco?

Here are a few of the possible lineups we could see in 2012:

1. Angel Pagan, CF

2. Freddy Sanchez, 2B

3. Pablo Sandoval, 3B

4. Buster Posey, C

5. Melky Cabrera, LF

6. Aubrey Huff, 1B

7. Nate Schierholtz, RF

8. Brandon Crawford / Mike Fontenot, SS

9. The guy on the bump

If I had to fill out a lineup card for opening day right now, this would be my first preference (Doesn't matter to me who bats 3rd and 4th between Pablo and Buster). This allows Freddy to stay in his spot at the top, and also allows Melky to protect Buster and Pablo, while setting the table for Aubrey and Nate. Not scary by any means, but with a couple breaks, it may not be nearly as terrible as we all fear. Now lets take a look at what the lineup would look like if we drop Freddy down in the order:

1. Angel Pagan, CF

2. Melky Cabrera, LF

3. Pablo Sandoval. 3B

4. Buster Posey, C

5. Nate Schierholtz, RF

6. Aubrey Huff, 1B

7. Freddy Sanchez, 2B

8. Whatever, SS

9. The majority of our payroll, P

1-4 looks good, 5-8 not so much. I really have no idea what the organizations plans are regarding Freddy's spot in the batting order, so I pose the question to the next most qualified group of individuals, you lot. Keep Freddy at 2 or drop him down?

Poll

Who bats 2nd in the Giants 2012 lineup?

Freddy Sanchez

99 votes

Melky Cabrera

16 votes

115 votes | Poll has closed

This FanPost is reader-generated, and it does not necessarily reflect the views of McCovey Chronicles. If the author uses filler to achieve the minimum word requirement, a moderator may edit the FanPost for his or her own amusement.

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Comments

The two spot

I think it all depends on how Sanchez hits in spring. I think that lineup is going to be bad either way. I think he goes in number 2 much better though if I had to pick. I just see this lineup as historically bad. This current team makes me think a lot of the 2004 Diamondbacks, two great pitchers Randy Johnson and Brandon Webb, no bats at all. A mix of old vets and very young players. That team was held to two runs or less 64 times. I don’t know if this Giants team is going to be that bad, but I just don’t have any faith in anyone in that lineup, and just think how bad it is going to be when Posey needs a day off…..

by Giants-Just-Win on Dec 13, 2011 12:20 AM PST reply actions

Personally I’d put Posey there but it seems a pretty forgone conclusion that Sanchez will hit second as long as he plays.

MY DAD WAS WRONG!
MY BOY NEEDS TO THROW HARDER!

by Roger on Dec 13, 2011 3:30 AM PST reply actions 1 recs

This

The offense is going to be putrid. Any formulation that diminishes the number of ABs Posey or Sandoval get per game is a silly one. I’d take it a step further.

1. Posey
2. Sandoval
3. Cabrera
4. Huff
5. Pagan
6. Sanchez
7. Schierholtz
8. Fontenot
9. Pitcher

Why not? Could go with different permutations of 3-8, clearly. I just sort of put them in order of how good I think they will be. /crosses fingers for Huff

by InTimmyWeTrust on Dec 13, 2011 4:30 AM PST up reply actions

Needs more Belt

MY DAD WAS WRONG!
MY BOY NEEDS TO THROW HARDER!

by Roger on Dec 13, 2011 8:30 AM PST up reply actions

I agree

But I didn’t want to get TOO crazy with it!

by InTimmyWeTrust on Dec 13, 2011 1:13 PM PST up reply actions

Who?

Don't think he can cut it in the bigs? Brock Bond will be the bigger man and walk walk walk away.

by baetown415 on Dec 13, 2011 2:45 PM PST up reply actions

recd

The most delightful ecumenical contradiction in nomenclature.
Dursh nerf darsh narf. Poop.

by GiantPain on Dec 13, 2011 8:02 PM PST up reply actions

Yarp

Posey/Belt/Panda 2/3/4 is best IMO.

Seth Rosin can hit the side of a barn with a baseball. From space.
Giants baseball: We're stupid enough to WIN that (TM)

by quincy0191 on Dec 13, 2011 10:23 PM PST up reply actions

So very this.

Just trying to gruntle my Giants baseball Jones in the least destructive way available.

2010 was just a dream.can I have another please?

by daveinexile on Dec 14, 2011 8:55 AM PST up reply actions

2B MUST BAT 2ND

Sundrendy!

by Deleuzian on Dec 13, 2011 5:38 AM PST reply actions

This is all that matters.

Carter Jurica!
"Has anyone really been for even as decided to use even go want to do look more like?"

by GrahamCrakalaka on Dec 13, 2011 8:06 PM PST up reply actions

I mean

SECOND baseman, SECOND place hitter? It’s like it was designed by God to work that way!

Seth Rosin can hit the side of a barn with a baseball. From space.
Giants baseball: We're stupid enough to WIN that (TM)

by quincy0191 on Dec 13, 2011 10:22 PM PST up reply actions

Baseball Musings Optimal Lineup

Runs per Game: 4.344
1 Buster
2 Panda
3 Angel
4 Huff
5 Freddie
6 Pitcher (Cain’s stats used)
7 Melky
8 Nate
9 Crawford

by GiantFaninDodgerLand on Dec 13, 2011 9:39 AM PST reply actions

NEEDS MORE BELT!

MY DAD WAS WRONG!
MY BOY NEEDS TO THROW HARDER!

by Roger on Dec 13, 2011 10:08 AM PST up reply actions

Here it is with Belt instead of Huff

Runs per Game: 4.218
1 Freddie
2 Panda
3 Nate
4 Buster
5 Angel
6 Pitcher (Cain)
7 Melky
8 Belt
9 Crawford

by GiantFaninDodgerLand on Dec 13, 2011 10:21 AM PST up reply actions

Now it needs less Nate

MY DAD WAS WRONG!
MY BOY NEEDS TO THROW HARDER!

by Roger on Dec 13, 2011 10:28 AM PST up reply actions

Here you go. Still not as good as the first lineup.

Runs per Game: 4.330
1 Buster
2 Panda
3 Angel
4 Huff
5 Freddie
6 Pitcher (Cain)
7 Melky
8 Belt
9 Crawford

by GiantFaninDodgerLand on Dec 13, 2011 12:25 PM PST up reply actions

That’s the one I want! Sad about the .014

MY DAD WAS WRONG!
MY BOY NEEDS TO THROW HARDER!

by Roger on Dec 13, 2011 12:34 PM PST up reply actions

Career OBP

Pagan: 331
MCabrera: 331
FSanchez: 335

So, I don’t really care. I guess Sanchez as is tradition, until/unless Melky continues his 2011 tear and claims a top 3 spot.

Get Better Travis! Ishikawa - 2009 Tops All-Star Rookie and World Champ 2010!

by kennv on Dec 13, 2011 11:11 AM PST reply actions

This was not the debate I was looking for.

Wise words by wcw: "Nobody cares about your Pokemon."
"There’s a new celebrity inside the organization, and it’s a three-foot inanimate object," - Larry Baer, my adopted son.

by ResDog on Dec 13, 2011 11:11 AM PST reply actions

Pie vs Cake ?

was that what you had in mind?

Just trying to gruntle my Giants baseball Jones in the least destructive way available.

2010 was just a dream.can I have another please?

by daveinexile on Dec 14, 2011 8:56 AM PST up reply actions

Nate deserves the 6 spot considering Huff was horrendous & takes pressure off Belt. Also that gives us a lot of speed that i dont really think any Giants team has had, less HR more doubles and scoring from 1st.

1 Pagan
2 Sanchez
3 Panda
4 Posey
5 Melky
6 Schierholtz
7 Huff/Belt
8 Crawford
9 Pitcher

by cazzuno on Dec 13, 2011 12:14 PM PST reply actions

Well, I’d swap Nate and Huff/Belt. Or possibly lose the Huff/Belt and go with suspenders.

Now is the winter of our discontent
Made glorious summer by this son of Cabrera.

by Lyle on Dec 13, 2011 12:52 PM PST up reply actions

You will get a Pill and you will like it! ;)

Just trying to gruntle my Giants baseball Jones in the least destructive way available.

2010 was just a dream.can I have another please?

by daveinexile on Dec 14, 2011 8:57 AM PST up reply actions

I remember just hearing

Someone (like, national reporter, not Bleacher Report poster) suggest a trade proposal where we second “one of the young first basemen, Brandon Belt or Brett Pill” for someone. Like they’re in the same league.

Seth Rosin can hit the side of a barn with a baseball. From space.
Giants baseball: We're stupid enough to WIN that (TM)

by quincy0191 on Dec 14, 2011 11:07 PM PST up reply actions

I agree

I’ll be honest a couple seasons ago i would have killed for The Giants to have someone like Pill to try and use at 1st base or LF. Farther i would be ok with PIll as keppeningger defensive clone at econd once Sanchez is hurt for a few game as well.But with Belt it is like chose to eat a can of fancey feast instead of Prime Rib. Of coarse this the mangaer taht player Burris at 1st base so…

Just trying to gruntle my Giants baseball Jones in the least destructive way available.

2010 was just a dream.can I have another please?

by daveinexile on Dec 15, 2011 10:37 AM PST up reply actions

In 2011, 201 of Freddy Sanchez’s 261 plate appearances came batting second. Likewise, 92 of Emmanuel Burriss’s 152 plate appearances came batting second. My Monopoly money says that if Freddy Sanchez is healthy, he will bat second. And if he’s not healthy, Burriss will.

Once more, coming to you by proxy.

by howtheyscored on Dec 13, 2011 12:32 PM PST reply actions

And if he’s not healthy, Burriss will.

The Horror.
The Horror.
The Horror.

Just trying to gruntle my Giants baseball Jones in the least destructive way available.

2010 was just a dream.can I have another please?

by daveinexile on Dec 14, 2011 8:58 AM PST up reply actions

I don’t think there is a debate about it.

by Natto on Dec 13, 2011 11:18 PM PST reply actions

I think they might prefer Melky's speed more at #2

I’d love to see Sanchez hit #8. His ability to make solid contact and expand the zone a little would do well with the pitcher hitting behind him

Bold Prediction: Pablo Sandoval finishes 1st or 2nd in 2012 NL MVP voting. I'm Twittering now (well maybe not literally now): @GoofusMcP

by Goofus on Dec 14, 2011 1:44 PM PST reply actions

Also, to the OP, please call it the "2 hole" instead of "2 spot"

For the jokes…we’re immature that way.

Bold Prediction: Pablo Sandoval finishes 1st or 2nd in 2012 NL MVP voting. I'm Twittering now (well maybe not literally now): @GoofusMcP

by Goofus on Dec 14, 2011 1:48 PM PST reply actions

I expect the following lineup and bench on opening day:

Lineup:
Pagan CF
Sanchez 2B
Cabrera LF
Posey C
Sandoval 3B
Huff 1B
Schierholtz RF
Crawford SS

Bench
Belt 1B/LF
Pill 1B/LF
Fontanot IF
Burriss IF
Stewart C

And I am fine with this. Belt has to earn not be given a starting job. If we had any other real option the same would apply to Crawford as well.

by GiantsFanSince58 on Dec 14, 2011 6:10 PM PST reply actions

If it were up to me, Belt would be the #2 hitter.

Or perhaps Belt leadoff, with Posey #2.

by dregarx on Dec 14, 2011 11:27 PM PST reply actions

LOL this sentenceL

Or do you just boot Freddy out of the spot that he has rightfully earned during his tenure in San Francisco?

Something about the righteous indignation that anyone but Sanchez bat 2nd is both really amusing and very wrong to me.

"My father's name is art, and my name's pride, and while my destiny reads a recipe for confusion I'm looking for whoever writes, so empty inside." -Slug

by the guy on Dec 15, 2011 12:41 AM PST reply actions

But what if....

If both Freddy and Melky put up numbers similar to their career averages, then I assume it’s a given that Freddy will stay in the ‘2 hole’ since it’s his spot and the .004 difference in OBP wouldn’t translate into any more wins. But if Melky has another year like he did in 2011 where he threatens to hit 20 bangers and steal 20 bags, is that enough to give him Freddy’s spot? I’d have to say yes.

"When you got 50,000 people telling you that you suck, you must be pretty damn good." -Barry Lamar Bonds

by thefillmore on Dec 15, 2011 2:01 AM PST reply actions

snide sarcasm aside

Sanchez has not hit over 40 double since 2007. Melky did that just last year. in the last 3 years Melky as 97 doubles to Sanchez 66. If you have a leadoff hitter that get on base and has some speed that is some runs you can put on the board with Melky hitting 2nd. Not to mention the defending team has to chose to either make a play at the plate, giving Melky the chance to move to 3rd on the throw, or just ceed the run. With the type of staff the Gaints have, and recently had, that is Hobson Choice right there.

Just trying to gruntle my Giants baseball Jones in the least destructive way available.

2010 was just a dream.can I have another please?

by daveinexile on Dec 15, 2011 11:38 AM PST up reply actions