Brian Giles to bat leadoff next year

[sherwood921]

According to Yahoo, Brian Giles is going to hit leadoff next year. It seems a little odd to me to announce this now, but at least they recognize that his high OBP and decreasing power is suited for the top of the order.

 

He will be 36 years old next season, and has never stolen more than 15 bases in a season, so Giles is a bit of an unusual choice as a leadoff man. This will likely mean fewer RBI chances and more scoring opportunities for Giles. He has hit 30 or more doubles in eight straight seasons, which should be a very useful skill as a leadoff man.

 

However, Yahoo failed to mention that his biggest asset is his high OBP, instead focusing on the fact that he's not fast, making him an odd choice.

[Soriano12]

Man I wanted him to be a Cub, but I'll admit I was wrong on that.

 

His production given his salary is just terrible.

[UMFan83]

Man I wanted him to be a Cub, but I'll admit I was wrong on that.

 

His production given his salary is just terrible.

 

Yes but his OBP is so nice, and I still contend he would hit for more power at Wrigley.

[abuck1220]

Man I wanted him to be a Cub, but I'll admit I was wrong on that.

 

His production given his salary is just terrible.

 

Yes but his OBP is so nice, and I still contend he would hit for more power at Wrigley.

 

and in the nl central in general.

[Jehrico]

Giles BABIP is well below his career average this year. He was pretty close in '05. That makes me think that although his power is decreasing, his numbers are this year are a little bit of a fluke. I don't expect him to put up numbers like he did in Pitt, but I think something roughly half way from this years numbers to last years is reasonable to expect. I would guess .390-.400 OBP w/ .425-.435 slg for next year. Since he's coming off of a down year, he could probably be had cheaper if he were on the market. But even if he were, I doubt he'd leave the west coast unless we just grossly bowled him over.

[mg420]

two words

 

the riot

[Soriano12]

I think Adrian Gonzales pretty much killed the "Petco Park is murder on Lefties" excuse this year.

[TheDude]

According to Yahoo, Brian Giles is going to hit leadoff next year. It seems a little odd to me to announce this now, but at least they recognize that his high OBP and decreasing power is suited for the top of the order.

 

He will be 36 years old next season, and has never stolen more than 15 bases in a season, so Giles is a bit of an unusual choice as a leadoff man. This will likely mean fewer RBI chances and more scoring opportunities for Giles. He has hit 30 or more doubles in eight straight seasons, which should be a very useful skill as a leadoff man.

 

However, Yahoo failed to mention that his biggest asset is his high OBP, instead focusing on the fact that he's not fast, making him an odd choice.

 

The writer was correct to focus in on the lackof speed. That is the story: the Padres are projected to go against the NL book next season.

 

Numerous people around here will nods their heads and say 'about time' that OBP and not speed be looked at as prime leadoff material, but the fact is this is a risky, untraditional move. That is what makes it story in the first place.

[goonys evil twin]

The writer was correct to focus in on the lackof speed. That is the story: the Padres are projected to go against the NL book next season.

 

Numerous people around here will nods their heads and say 'about time' that OBP and not speed be looked at as prime leadoff material, but the fact is this is a risky, untraditional move. That is what makes it story in the first place.

 

It's only risky in the sense that small-minded old people might question it.

[fromthestretch]

According to Yahoo, Brian Giles is going to hit leadoff next year. It seems a little odd to me to announce this now, but at least they recognize that his high OBP and decreasing power is suited for the top of the order.

 

He will be 36 years old next season, and has never stolen more than 15 bases in a season, so Giles is a bit of an unusual choice as a leadoff man. This will likely mean fewer RBI chances and more scoring opportunities for Giles. He has hit 30 or more doubles in eight straight seasons, which should be a very useful skill as a leadoff man.

 

However, Yahoo failed to mention that his biggest asset is his high OBP, instead focusing on the fact that he's not fast, making him an odd choice.

 

The writer was correct to focus in on the lackof speed. That is the story: the Padres are projected to go against the NL book next season.

 

Numerous people around here will nods their heads and say 'about time' that OBP and not speed be looked at as prime leadoff material, but the fact is this is a risky, untraditional move. That is what makes it story in the first place.

 

Untraditional? Perhaps. Risky? Hardly. They aren't the first team to do this. Brian Downing hit leadoff for California and Texas late in his career, and he was slower than Giles. Youkilis for the Red Sox is a much more recent example. If you have a guy that can get on base at a .380+ clip with mediocre power, bat him leadoff. He doesn't have to have Rickey Henderson speed to be a good leadoff hitter.

[fromthestretch]

The writer was correct to focus in on the lackof speed. That is the story: the Padres are projected to go against the NL book next season.

 

Numerous people around here will nods their heads and say 'about time' that OBP and not speed be looked at as prime leadoff material, but the fact is this is a risky, untraditional move. That is what makes it story in the first place.

 

It's only risky in the sense that small-minded old people might question it.

 

Personally, I think it would be a bigger risk to continue hitting him in the middle of the order while clinging to hope that his 30-homer power returns late in his career.

 

At this stage, he's more valuable to this team hitting at the top of the order.

[TheDude]

According to Yahoo, Brian Giles is going to hit leadoff next year. It seems a little odd to me to announce this now, but at least they recognize that his high OBP and decreasing power is suited for the top of the order.

 

He will be 36 years old next season, and has never stolen more than 15 bases in a season, so Giles is a bit of an unusual choice as a leadoff man. This will likely mean fewer RBI chances and more scoring opportunities for Giles. He has hit 30 or more doubles in eight straight seasons, which should be a very useful skill as a leadoff man.

 

However, Yahoo failed to mention that his biggest asset is his high OBP, instead focusing on the fact that he's not fast, making him an odd choice.

 

The writer was correct to focus in on the lackof speed. That is the story: the Padres are projected to go against the NL book next season.

 

Numerous people around here will nods their heads and say 'about time' that OBP and not speed be looked at as prime leadoff material, but the fact is this is a risky, untraditional move. That is what makes it story in the first place.

 

Untraditional? Perhaps. Risky? Hardly. They aren't the first team to do this. Brian Downing hit leadoff for California and Texas late in his career, and he was slower than Giles. Youkilis for the Red Sox is a much more recent example. If you have a guy that can get on base at a .380+ clip with mediocre power, bat him leadoff. He doesn't have to have Rickey Henderson speed to be a good leadoff hitter.

 

Note that I bolded NL in my own quote. every example you just gave was an AL example. we're talking NL baseball here. Yes it is risky for their management. If it works, then maybe other NL teams pay attention and it sparks a shift in thinking for NL baseball.

 

If it doesn't work, then all the NL old school baseball minds nod to each other behind closed doors about 'playing the game the right way'.

[TheDude]

The writer was correct to focus in on the lackof speed. That is the story: the Padres are projected to go against the NL book next season.

 

Numerous people around here will nods their heads and say 'about time' that OBP and not speed be looked at as prime leadoff material, but the fact is this is a risky, untraditional move. That is what makes it story in the first place.

 

It's only risky in the sense that small-minded old people might question it.

 

I think you are wrong here. This thinking is pervaisive in NL minds, from the media to the scouts to the clubhouse to the GM and owners' booths.

 

I have no idea how you can claim otherwise.

[frostwyrm]

Wade Boggs batted leadoff and he was no speedster, he was just a guy with a .415 OBP.

[Jehrico]

The writer was correct to focus in on the lackof speed. That is the story: the Padres are projected to go against the NL book next season.

 

Numerous people around here will nods their heads and say 'about time' that OBP and not speed be looked at as prime leadoff material, but the fact is this is a risky, untraditional move. That is what makes it story in the first place.

 

It's only risky in the sense that small-minded old people might question it.

 

I think you are wrong here. This thinking is pervaisive in NL minds, from the media to the scouts to the clubhouse to the GM and owners' booths.

 

I have no idea how you can claim otherwise.

Who are the pervasive minds in the NL? Small minded old people? I think you guys are talking about the same people.

[TheDude]

The writer was correct to focus in on the lackof speed. That is the story: the Padres are projected to go against the NL book next season.

 

Numerous people around here will nods their heads and say 'about time' that OBP and not speed be looked at as prime leadoff material, but the fact is this is a risky, untraditional move. That is what makes it story in the first place.

 

It's only risky in the sense that small-minded old people might question it.

 

I think you are wrong here. This thinking is pervaisive in NL minds, from the media to the scouts to the clubhouse to the GM and owners' booths.

 

I have no idea how you can claim otherwise.

Who are the pervasive minds in the NL? Small minded old people? I think you guys are talking about the same people.

 

I answered that question - Did you see that I listed media, scouts, clubhouses, GM, and owners? It's more than just the old-timer coaches and scouts.

[goonys evil twin]

Which owners booths are pining for speed leadoff hitters? What do you mean by clubhouses?

 

 

And where does any of this defend the claim that it's a "risky move"? How is it risky for SD to make this decision on their own. It's not like some prospective manager of the Cubs is talking about such a move. That would be risky because it would likely mean he's not getting the job. But if the people who make the decisions in SD decide that this is what they want to do, it's not risky.

[Soul]

Why would anyone make such an announcement now?

 

I question whether this is even real. If this is such a great idea, then just move Giles to leadoff right now......?

 

This sounds like a lot of speculation.....even if it does come from someone in the organization. Nobody can know with any degree of certainty what will happen next April.

[Guest]

Looking at his numbers, Giles looks like a steroid child. Not saying he is, just that the numbers indicate something drastic changed in 2003. his homerun power plummeted even in Pittsburgh. In 2004 his doubles rate plummeted in Petco. The last two years he has been essentially powerless.

 

He is overpaid.

[Guest]

or a slugger that aged very quickly. I believe that's not unheard of for his type of player.