You forgot about Jeff Francoeur.

Some people cannot get out of the way of their own ego.

Alex Gordon is the IDEAL #3 hitter.

Of course, every IDEAL #3 hitter would be a successful leadoff man...but you don't waste a guy who consistently hits doubles and even home runs at #1.

You want him hitting behind people who GET ON BASE.

I realize alnorth is going to be like 'omg a .280 OBP isn't any different than a .330 OBP'...but it is.

batting Gordon leadoff means every single game he bats at least 1 time with no one on base...

you're wasting runs having your best power hitter hit leadoff...and that is what Gordon is...he doesn't hit a ton of homeruns but he hits a metric shit ton of doubles and doubles score runners who are on base

what are you talking about?

I talk about slugging % all of the time

It is important.

I didn't care Hosmer was hitting .280 2 weeks ago because his slugging was like .305

that's horrid

you don't win games hitting singles

but Mark Reynolds hits .220 and slugs .500

that's who you want at #3?

Gordon might be discovering his power stroke. Man, that HR last night was bad-ass. His home runs haven't been basket shots, they've been bombs.

Thought the same thing after he crushed that ball.

Also had some "style points" after the swing, which I've never seen Gordo do before.

I don't particularly care for that in general, but it tells me he's found a power stroke (and I like actually seeing someone on the Royals with a little swag).

WTF?

Where did that come from?

Gordon is a guy who I'd want sacrificing average to swing for the fences. We need it. If he's the guy that can hit 30 HR's on this team, he needs to be doing it.

In 2013, you can't win without home runs. Plain and simple.

Our starters have been fantastic but it is going to even out. Jeremy Guthrie isn't going to have a sub 3.00 ERA all year long. Same with Santana.

Totally agree.

Billy showing off the body of a 47 year old drunk.

I don't think Gordon is the ideal #3 hitter, But he's definitely one of the best options we have on the roster... His OBP is only .340 which isn't outstanding by any means, but has been much better the past 2 years hovering in the .370 range. His Slugging isn't ideal.. Career slg of .443... last year was only .455 which isn't bad, but you want multiple guys in your lineup hitting the .455 range. Not your #3 hitter. His SLG this season is up. However, this is due to his recent surge of power - 3 HR's in last 3 games. Before the last 3 it was .460 right around his career average, it'll level off.

As for the leadoff, we really don't have a high OBP player on the team which is why Gordon has played there... and some people are reluctant to see him move.

You called me out for basically agreeing with you, but adding to it... but whatever. I'm used to seeing your arrogance around here.

Carry on.

I spent most of my life believing the same thing you do now. The numbers do not have a bias, and they do not lie.

Out of necessity, yes... but at the same time, when he's tried this before he's failed miserably. If he's that guy to hit 30, you're damn right... but he's never been able to do that... in his first 6 seasons he's only broken 20 one time. Optimized projection is fine and dandy, but at some point you have to look at him for what he is... a Good player, with gap power and occasional HR ability.

Maybe he breaks out, I sure hope he does.. but not expecting it by any means.

Billy sent it to him last night. Duh.