Quote:
Originally Posted by Hootie
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
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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.