Why doesn't Vlad leadoff??

by bc56274 on May 8, 2007 10:48 PM PDT

Hear me out:

Nobody gets on base in front of him anyway.

He is our only decent hitter, so the more at bats he gets in a game, the better.

I don't see the drawback.

In other news:

The Angels have announced right after tonight's game that 3rd baseman Brandon Wood has been optioned back to Triple A Salt Lake because they feel hes not getting enough work in and want him in an everyday lineup. In his place the Angels have called up 3rd baseman Matt Brown. Matt Brown is batting .290, with 3 HR, 21 RBI, and 19 Runs so far this season. The Angels are looking to boost up our power by bringing up young Brown.

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Willits has been hitting

and getting on base pretty regular

by 1000 Oaks angels fan on May 8, 2007 10:49 PM PDT reply actions

I hate to say this, because I like the kid...

But it's an aberration.

by bc56274 on May 8, 2007 10:53 PM PDT up reply actions

he's right...

don't forget Napoli was hitting .350+ before pitchers figured him out... tell me how well our starting catcher is doing now.

by shiftyeyedgoat on May 8, 2007 10:57 PM PDT up reply actions

yup.

when you're banking on guys like willits to be a catalyst for the offense, you know you're hurting.

SPORTS UNFILTERED

by pedro guerrero on May 8, 2007 10:57 PM PDT up reply actions

...or wishing on a star...

by Rev Halofan on May 8, 2007 11:10 PM PDT up reply actions

Willits...

...had a track record in the minors to back up his current numbers. No, he won't hit .350 all year. But he's a solid .280-.290 with a GREAT OBP and can run. What's so wrong with that? It's everything we hoped Chone would be, but hasn't.

Napoli never had the minor league track record.

by Ty Webb on May 9, 2007 9:00 AM PDT up reply actions

Good point

I would like to see him hit 2nd behind GMJr. and leave Vlad in the 3 hole.

by higdog on May 9, 2007 10:00 AM PDT up reply actions

Willits: our Jiminy Cricket

he's got his eye on the prize...

http://www.disneylandpostcards.com/mstooncandy.jpg

Save the season, DFA Hillenbrand

by Hutch (someone took my name) on May 9, 2007 11:14 AM PDT up reply actions

Good Idea

Your best hitter should get the most AB, period. Forget "conventional wisdom," which is often simply convention without wisdom.

by jjackflash on May 8, 2007 11:20 PM PDT reply actions

Manager mantra

"Forget "conventional wisdom," which is often simply convention without wisdom."

Don't forget, we have a manager that focuses on veteran experience over raw talent. Whether this is folly or wisdom is almost completely up to luck of the draw.

Don't forget, we're trying to get Vlad not to have the most ABs, but the most ABs with people on base.

by shiftyeyedgoat on May 9, 2007 3:39 AM PDT up reply actions

A better question would be

Why don't we have anyone besides Vlad that can hit for power?

by Howie the Halo on May 9, 2007 12:52 AM PDT reply actions

I thought the same thing when looking at Vlad'sOBP

last night at the game. I thought, shoot, this guy can get on base why not have him leading off?

However, I do like Willits. I think he looks at a lot of pitches, a good eye, and has a nose for getting on base.

'86 never happened!

by Downing Rules on May 9, 2007 10:07 AM PDT reply actions

Vlad should bat 3...your best hitter bats 3

Willits should bat 1....Cabrera is hitting like shit but should probably bat 2 so he doesn't pout. Put GMJ at 5 and maybe ride the hot hand at 4 (Quinlan now) until Rivera gets back or Tejada gets traded for.

I could definitely be talked into GMJ at 2 or even him at 1 and Willits at 2. Willits has earned the shot at setting the table. If nothing else we're sending a message to the rest of the team of 'see what happens when you take a few pitches!'.

by thewebb on May 10, 2007 10:27 PM PDT reply actions