Rizzo May hit 2nd for the Cubs

[MilkSpiller22]

Sabremetrics says it is best to hit your best hitter 2nd... Does anyone agree with this??

I can see it working for the Cubs since they have no other hitter besides Rizzo and Fowler that have an OBP of higher than .350...

But generally I disagree with sabremetrics, and don't think the 2 hole is the best spot to put your best hitter...


Mathematically, each spot gets 18 more plate appearances than the lineup spot after them, so I don't see why sabremetrics says the 2 instead of the one spot...

But I would still hit my best hitter 3 or 4 unless the player is a prototypical lead off man or number 2 batter...

 

[calsnowskier]

Sabremetrics says it is best to hit your best hitter 2nd... Does anyone agree with this??

I can see it working for the Cubs since they have no other hitter besides Rizzo and Fowler that have an OBP of higher than .350...

But generally I disagree with sabremetrics, and don't think the 2 hole is the best spot to put your best hitter...


Mathematically, each spot gets 18 more plate appearances than the lineup spot after them, so I don't see why sabremetrics says the 2 instead of the one spot...

But I would still hit my best hitter 3 or 4 unless the player is a prototypical lead off man or number 2 batter...

I have never heard about hitting your best guy #2. I have heard hit your best power guy #4, regardless of OBP, and your best remaining OPS guy #3 (edging towards OBP), and then having your top 2 OBP guys #1 and #2, then go pure power from 5-8 (or 5-9 if you are playing with training wheels).

I am no expert on the Cubs, but I would think he should be their #4 (maybe #3).

 

[moxie]

Isn't the 2nd spot usually where Castro hit? I'm leaning towards agreeing with Cal about having your big guy in the #4 spot and would think Rizzo would be good there.

 

[MilkSpiller22]

For the cubs I think it makes sense to hit him 2nd though... They have no high OBP guys besides fowler(who will lead off)... I think in this scenario the more at bats would be best for the team since it is not a great probability that he will be hitting with too many runners on Base...

 

[tducey]

Yeah, Rizzo should be #3 or #4.

 

[anotheridiot]

There is some belief that Maddon is gonna hit his pitcher 8th, so technically, rizzo would be third. Rizzo also said before he is not comfortable hitting second, and I would much rather have Rizzo clearing the bases with a double than just being the guy on base scoring.

More at bats, more hits more or less RBI's, I guess less RBI's. but with this murderers row of hitters we have coming up, gotta bat them somewhere. I actually thought Montero would be best second, he had a 385 obp last year, but he is slow.

 

[RonBorges]

It's an interesting question. I think the best contact hitter should hit second. A guy who can spray the ball to all fields. This is usually a guy who lacks power and is smaller than a power hitter. He is a guy who will have to give himself up to advance a runner. The three hitter is the best "pure hitter" a guy who can hit for average, power, and contact. The 4 hitter is your pure power hitter. A guy who might strike out a lot but can knock the ball out of the park on a regular basis.

 

[Beengay fudgepackers]

It could be any one of Soler, Bryant, or Rizzo by the seasons end. I would like to see soler hit there if he can get on base well enough since he probably has the best speed and hitting combo.

 

[anotheridiot]

It's an interesting question. I think the best contact hitter should hit second. A guy who can spray the ball to all fields. This is usually a guy who lacks power and is smaller than a power hitter. He is a guy who will have to give himself up to advance a runner. The three hitter is the best "pure hitter" a guy who can hit for average, power, and contact. The 4 hitter is your pure power hitter. A guy who might strike out a lot but can knock the ball out of the park on a regular basis.

Yes, in this argument, every team shifts for Rizzo. Might he lay down bunts down the third base line to get on base batting second and possibly get on more, sure. Its also an easier double play when you allow the shortstop to play short center. I think the spray the ball argument is a very good reason Rizzo should not hit second.

 

[Rock Strongo]

i wish the sox never let this kid go.

 

[gvsulaker82]

Best OBP percentage guy should hit second unless hes also your best power hitter in which case I would bat him third.

 

[gvsulaker82]

Maddons an idiot though, guy used to bat carlos pena second.

 

[kramer1]

Welcome to our Joey Votto hell.

 

[StanMarsh51]

Best OBP percentage guy should hit second unless hes also your best power hitter in which case I would bat him third.

Ehh....if Rickey Henderson or Tim Raines had been a #2 hitter, I don't think the teams would've benefitted as much with them batting 2nd given how many bases they added from their steals. A different guy batting leadoff on this teams might need help from a teammate to get them into scoring position, whereas a guy like Rickey or Raines in many cases wouldn't need that teammate.