What to do with the leadoff spot

by craig on Apr 28, 2009 4:21 PM EDT in News and Rumors

This actually requires more examination than I have time to give it (got to run to the plumbing supply store), but here are a few points.

Emilio Bonifacio was back in the leadoff spot Monday. But there are no guarantees he'll remain there if he doesn't break out of a prolonged hitting slump.

First off, Bonifacio isn't in a "slump" he is just regressing to his mean. It is a natural thing that happens to hitters. Given his past numbers there was no reason to think he was going to outperform for the whole season. Oh sure, Emilio is young and may eventually shift the curve upwards, but that takes time, especially against major league pitching.

Moving on.

The Marlins' leadoff hitters rank 28th in the majors -- ahead of only the Nationals and Phillies -- with a paltry .292 on-base percentage.

Whatever happens, one adjustment Gonzalez said he would not make is to return Hanley Ramirez to the leadoff role.

''I think our lineup is so much better with him hitting third,'' Gonzalez said.

The leadoff hitter getting on base is everything. He gets more PA than anyone else over the course of the season and he needs to set the table for the big boys to drive him in. I kinda understand why Fredi would be hesitant to move Hanley back to the one-hole. Ramirez has too much power which can be wasted following the bottom of the order. However, if the top of the order isn't getting on base is it really any different? Also, getting your best hitter to the plate more than anyone else can't be all that bad.

Moving on some more.

The organization is well aware of the problem and are starting to make contingency plans in the minors.

Based on where he's played in recent days, prospect Gaby Sanchez also could be in the mix. Sanchez, who entered Spring Training as the front runner to win the first base job, has played third base for Triple-A New Orleans the past two days.

Chris Coghlan has been getting most of the work at third. Sanchez has seen action at third base before, but in recent years, first base has become his primary position.

Sanchez is hitting .313 with two homers and 11 RBIs in 17 games.

Gaby hitting in the minors is nothing new. The fact that the team is going to stick with Cantu at first, should Bonifacio continue to falter, is. If the Marlins do send Bonifacio down and call up either Sanchez or Coghlan, which could improve the offense, it does make for an interesting question: Who will leadoff? Maybin? Ramirez? Alfredo? Someone else? (Note: batting order is one of the most overrated things in the game.)

Like I said, this requires more thought than I can give it right now. But that doesn't mean you can't.

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Comments

hanley

one thing that has not been examined is how poorly hanley has been playing at the 3 hole, and his past failures at that spot. The cubs had to move soriano back to leadoff. I’m beginning to think that Hanley needs to be the leadoff hitter for his own and the team’s benefit.

by GMFB on Apr 28, 2009 5:36 PM EDT reply actions

Gaby

Gaby needs to be called up, move Jorge to 3B. I’d like to keep Emilo up as a UTL guy and p-runner but, Alfredo already fills that role. They should sit Gaby vs. L and start Wes at 1B vs. L.
I dont think Cameron is ready to be an everyday player though, I think the Marlins will ride it out with him. If he is gonna stay up with the big club he should continue to see a lot of playing time. I think Freddi has done a good job giving Alfredo starts at CF to rest Cameron.

by Orestes Destrade on Apr 29, 2009 4:23 AM EDT reply actions

There is no way we’re moving Cantu back to 3B. He was an absolute butcher at that position last year. Given how many ground-ball pitchers we have, and the fact that Hanley and Uggla are average and below-average at best on defense, we need the best defensive 3B we can get. And if that isn’t Bonifacio, it will be soon. For all his ups and downs, he’s still batting .274… he provides so many assets to this lineup, and the alternative is virtually unthinkable. We can afford to give him a few more weeks to see if he gets things in order on the hitting side. Sanchez still hasn’t proven it in the majors… they obviously don’t think he’s good enough. I’d call him a last resort.

I believe Maybin has been rushed to the big leagues absurdly fast, and it’s doing him no good in the long run. For every Gary Sheffield — a guy who was brutal for several seasons at the start of his career, but eventually became great — there are a dozen whose development is irredeemably damaged by being rushed to the majors. I’d send Maybin back down until he learns to identify breaking balls… it does us no good letting him hit .200 while he looms closer and closer to free agency.

by 3.3seconds on Apr 29, 2009 6:19 AM EDT up reply actions

100% concur

by GMFB on Apr 29, 2009 10:48 AM EDT up reply actions

Keep it the way it is

Don’t let the SN fool you; I am a Marlin’s fan… just an Indians Fan first.

That having been said: I think that it should stay the way it is at least for now because:

1.) The #3 hole is meant for the best overall hitter on the team… that is one who can combine power and average/ clutch hitting.
2.) Bonifacio may very well heat up… his main problem is impatience at the plate from what I saw tonight; if he just waits for good pitches and holds off of pitches outside the strike zone, then I think he will do much better.
3.) I get the impression that Bonifacio is faster than Hanley and thus as long as he can get his on base percentage together he would make an even better lead-off guy for speed purposes (though Hanley is no slouch himself).

I say wait and see if Bonifacio heats back up; you cannot throw someone out just because he has hit a slump or is having a little difficulty adjusting to the adjustments pitchers are making for him… with time he will probably overcome these early problems. If he does not heat up in the next few weeks, then start making other plans… I am still not sure Hanley being moved to the lead-off spot is the best way to handle it even then though because he has the power of a 3-spot .

by Indiansfan4ever on Apr 29, 2009 4:44 AM EDT reply actions

Speed and Power

That is the mix that lead us to the 11-1 start.
That is the only thing to will enable to reach the playoffs.

That being said, our lineup needs to have an equal amount of both. Emilio has to be a key part in that.

When it comes to speed, Emilio definitely has “it.” He is a burner. I dare say the Percy Harvin of baseball, because he also does have his downfalls. But are they so bad? He isn’t as selective as some of the better leadoff guys yet, but he is very young. And like wine, pitch selection gets better with age. He will have his streaks, but should learn some consistency as the year goes on. Yeah, he isn’t the best fielder at 3rd, but he just switched there pretty recently. In my opinion, he has done a heck of a job. Today, while playing second, he saved the game. I don’t doubt his D. Other than that, he is solid.

Maybin definitely should be sent down.
I think Brett Carroll should get a SERIOUS look.
And we should call up Gaby.

What I am wondering is why they hell did we just trade Kensing? And to a team in our own division? Our bullpen has been pretty solid and I think he is a key part. If anything, we should be acquiring RPs, not sending ’em to rivals. I usually like the FO moves, but this one has me scratching my head.

Album coming soon

by Han The Man And The Band on Apr 29, 2009 8:47 PM EDT reply actions