Some thoughts on Soriano's OBP

[BigbadB]

How long would it take you then to change your mind? Just curious

 

That would depend on whether he wasn't producing at an acceptable clip hitting lead off.

 

If he can put up anywhere close to a .350 OBP while providing the power that he does, I won't ever change my mind.

 

The season just started. The weather has been pretty brutal. The opposing pitchers have been pretty tough outside of Lohse. You can't give out grades on such a small sample size.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Making any judgements or decisions after only three games is a pretty bad idea. Early games are always given too much attention because there isn't any other information to temper the results.

[ConstableRabbit]

I mean, he does have a higher OBP when he's batting leadoff. It's probably because he sees more fastballs at the top of the lineup, but I'll take it.

[rocket]

Making any judgements or decisions after only three games is a pretty bad idea. Early games are always given too much attention because there isn't any other information to temper the results.

 

whatever dude. izturis and derosa are our best hitters. the stats don't lie.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Making any judgements or decisions after only three games is a pretty bad idea. Early games are always given too much attention because there isn't any other information to temper the results.

 

whatever dude. izturis and derosa are our best hitters. the stats don't lie.

 

Marquis for Cy Young, baybee!

[NCCubFan]

What does uppin a thread mean?

It means resurrecting a thread that hasn't been posted in for months.

[Tracer Bullet]

How long would it take you then to change your mind? Just curious

 

That would depend on whether he wasn't producing at an acceptable clip hitting lead off.

 

If he can put up anywhere close to a .350 OBP while providing the power that he does, I won't ever change my mind.

 

The season just started. The weather has been pretty brutal. The opposing pitchers have been pretty tough outside of Lohse. You can't give out grades on such a small sample size.

 

What's "anywhere close to... .350"? His career .325? .340?

 

If he has an OBP of .350 - I'd support him leading off. But, if he's in the .325-.330 range, he needs to move down.

 

As for the weather - I never buy that. It's an excuse for pitchers b/c they can't get the same grip on the ball when it's cold and then it's an excuse for the hitters b/c they're not used to cold weather (or whatever). It's 3 games, don't make decisions based on 3 games. But I never supported Soriano leading off and he's not doing anything to convince me he should be. If after a month he doesn't have a .350 OBP, move him to 4th or 5th.

[BigbadB]

It's been 3 games. If you can gather a fair assessment of what Soriano is going to do this year in the lead off spot after three games, then we should also assume:

 

Barrett will go hitless all year long.

Izturis will hit .364 all year long.

The Cubs will average 1 home run every three games all year long.

Derrek Lee will have zero RBI all year long.

 

It's unreasonable to think that the stats of the last 3 games is a true indicator of how every player will perform this year.

 

And I beg to differ on the weather. There is a reason that extremely cold days tend to be low scoring affairs. When you are freezing cold out there on the field, it is very difficult to be relaxed and loose.

 

If Soriano could put up an OPS+ of 132 in arguably the toughest park to hit in, is it fair to assume he'll continue to only put up an 88 OPS+ in a Cub uniform in arguably the best hitting division in the major leagues?

[A New Era]

Oh my GOD! Soriano is sucking the first 3 games of the season at the lead-off spot!! Let's put him in #5 where carreer wise he has WORSE numbers!! :roll:

[NCCubFan]

Tuffy Rhodes hit 3 home runs in the first 3 games of 1994. Therefore, if 3 games really means that much, we shouldn't be talking about Bonds as the single-season HR king, but rather Rhodes in 1994 since he averaged a homer per game. :D

[soccer10k]

While I think Soriano may be better suited to hit in the middle of the order, his splits show that he hits better at the top of the order. I don't know the reason for this. He may just like hitting at the top of the order more. But frankly, I don't care where he hits as long as he produces. If he insists on putting the pitcher in the eighth spot and batting ninth (yes, I know, it's an extreme hypothetical), I could care less if he puts up huge numbers at the plate.