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league leaders ...

RK AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI
1 Joey Votto 16 4 7 0 0 3 8
2 Adrian Gonzalez13 13 7 10 2 0 5 7

Someone was reading the off-season Doughboy Daily!

I have to say, I am IMPRESSED by this Joey Votto!
Shades of yesteryear!
He doesn't seem to be looking for that free pass and he is taking full swings.
As I told Wayne in Las Vegas, I'll write nice things about the man if he changes. This first week, he has changed with a vengeance.
Seriously, I hope he keeps it up.
And I don't usually say that about a player I own NOWHERE

I love him....and I own him NOWHERE too! Irony...

I only own him in the all-star league - he went cheap because no one wanted to feel the dough-wrath!

A little irony that he still walks around the bases after he hits a home run.

Say what you will about his "value" for Fantasy Baseball, from a purely hitting standpoint, the man puts together some incredible at-bats, rarely swings at pitches out of the zone, is typically able to put barrel on ball, and is always dangerous with two strikes. In this day and age of swing & miss, I've really come to appreciate Votto's & Victor Martinez's bat on ball abilities as well as their ability to hit with two strikes.

COZ

With Billy stealing in front of him, causing havoc.....and pitchers worried about him.....along with Billy getting into scoring position. Lots of chances for 2 and 3 hitters for Ribbies. Also, lots of pitches to hit because Billy is a threat every single pitch. Wonder when they start pitching out like crazy?

I was listening to the NY sports station this week and apparently Terry Collins cited some sort of sabermetrics for batting David Wright second.

Said there were statistically more RBI opportunities at the #2 hole than 3 or 4.

Not sure I buy that. I'd like to actually see the numbers.

Atlas wrote:I was listening to the NY sports station this week and apparently Terry Collins cited some sort of sabermetrics for batting David Wright second.

Said there were statistically more RBI opportunities at the #2 hole than 3 or 4.

Not sure I buy that. I'd like to actually see the numbers.

I have recently become fascinated with this very topic and especially line-up optimization, mainly as it relates to the Cubs and how all their various pieces fit together in the most optimal line-up. I'm not sure batting #2 necessarily is a direct correlation to more RBI opportunities, but batting #2 leads to more plate appearances generally, and thus by consequence more RBI opportunities. It is interesting to note that Tom Tango works as a consultant for the Cubs and that they are batting Jorge Soler #2. "Best" hitter in the line-up batting #2 is an increasing trend but I think the primary reason is that it generates more plate appearances over the course of the season more so than just RBI opportunities.

Here's a good article: https://mglbaseball.wordpress.com/2014/ ... r-lineups/

COZ

Of the top 30 in rbi last year, only two hitters that hit in the two spot were among those leaders.
Mike Trout and Ian Kinsler.
Most every other hitter hit in the 3, 4, or 5 spots.

DOUGHBOYS wrote:Of the top 30 in rbi last year, only two hitters that hit in the two spot were among those leaders.
Mike Trout and Ian Kinsler.
Most every other hitter hit in the 3, 4, or 5 spots.

But NONE of them have Billy Hamilton on base while they bat. If Hamilton can have a solid OBP, then certainly Votto could be in the leaders because how often Hamilton would be in scoring position. Of course, this is all factoring in that both of them could stay healthy all year.

DOUGHBOYS wrote:Of the top 30 in rbi last year, only two hitters that hit in the two spot were among those leaders.
Mike Trout and Ian Kinsler.
Most every other hitter hit in the 3, 4, or 5 spots.

I saw the same thing, but only did a cursory glance at the leaders. I wish they had gone into more detail.

The broadcasters also inferred (alright, they came right out and said it) that Terry Collins wasn't a stat guy and he was taking his orders from the front office when it came to the lineup.

And if number 2 in the line up gave you more opportunities at bat than number 3 or 4, then wouldn't it stand that leadoff gives you more than 2? I guess you can make the argument that you lose (at least reduce) an RBI opportunity the first time thru the line up at the leadoff (unless you solo HR).

I'm still trying to wrap my head around batting the pitcher 8th. I don't get it.

Perhaps having Hamilton on base makes pitchers less-willing to have 7-pitch at bats with Votto.