As I look out my window at the snow on the ground on an overcast December day, my mind yearns for something sunny and spring-like. As if on command, spring training thoughts started dancing like sugarplums (or something like that; I don’t even know what a sugarplum is :)).
Anyway, I got to thinking about a comment that Fredi Gonzales made about already having tried out five different batting orders in his mind after the Uggla trade. Well, if he can come up with five, I’ve got to think that the group here can do much better than that. I’ll start the ball rolling:
McLouth CF
Prado LF
Jones 3B
Uggla 2B
McCann C
Heyward RF
Freeman 1B
Gonzales SS
Hudson P
The really positive thing that I conclude from the exercise is that there are a ton of legitimate options for structuring the order. It also looks to me like this lineup is only one bat short of being truly stout.
Obviously, this lineup only works if McLouth suddenly remembers how to hit. I thought he’d regained his mojo for a while late last season, then he seemed to regress. If McLouth stumbles in the spring, I’d move Prado back to lead-off and put Heyward back into the second spot. I know a lot of you think he’s ready for the third spot and think he and Chipper should flip-flop, but need I remind you how well things were working just prior to Chipper’s injury? If Chipper’s power stroke is still there, I think he stays at number 3. If not, then I agree that the change is in order.
The other area I struggled with a bit was the 7/8 arrangement. I would not be at all surprised to see Freeman pencilled into the 8 slot. In my opinion, though, the 8th spot in the order is a very important and difficult place to hit. You need a good hitter here so as to increase your chances of clearing the pitcher for the next inning. At the same time, you can be sure that the number 8 hitter isn’t going to see a ton of fat strikes. As such, I think a seasoned hitter is better equipped to hit eighth. Ideally I’d like someone with a bit more patience than Gonzales, but nothing’s ever perfect.
Are there any other ideas out there?
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