Terry Francona continues to ponder how he will structure his lineup this season. He has several hitters that have leadoff experience (Jacoby Ellsbury, Dustin Pedroia and Carl Crawford) and bat cleanup (Kevin Youkilis, Adrian Gonzalez and David Ortiz). So where should Ellsbury bat in this potent lineup?
ESPN.com's Buster Olney thinks Ellsbury should bat ninth in the Red Sox line up.
In 2009, Ellsbury's last healthy season with the Red Sox, 504 of his 624 at-bats were in the leadoff spot, where he posted a respectable .300 batting average.
However, he had an unimpressive .347 on-base percentage.
In a career where he's posted more than 50 at-bats in four different positions across the batting order, Ellsbury has the lowest batting average and on-base percentage when hitting first with .279 and .330, respectively.
In 62 career appearances batting ninth, he has a high .371 batting average and .426 on-base percentage. Even when hitting seventh or eighth, he has a .311 and .415 batting average, respectively. Clearly, he hits best when in the lower spots in the lineup.
Batting last does not automatically designate Ellsbury as the worst hitter in the starting lineup. It gives him an opportunity to hit in front of the monstrous top half of the Red Sox' roster, which can move him over and drive him in if he gets on base.
Olney projected the Boston lineup with Pedroia leading off and Crawford, Youkilis, Gonzalez and Ortiz following him successively. Pedroia, who infrequently strikes out and puts the ball in play, can actively move Ellsbury into scoring position or send him home on a single if batting behind him.
But can't Ellsbury just lead off for that to happen? A lineup should be made so your best players are closer to the top and get the most at-bats in each game.
Ellsbury is a valuable asset on the base paths, but not a formidable hitter in the lineup, which now consists of tremendous power and an above .300 batting average at the top of the order.
When Pedroia won Rookie of the Year in 2007, he posted a .328 batting average and .393 on-base percentage when batting first. Over his career, he has a .305 batting average and .378 on-base percentage when leading off an inning, compared to Ellsbury's .270 batting average and .308 on-base percentage.
With Pedroia leading off, Crawford can continue to bat second where he's most comfortable. In 500 at-bats or more, Crawford's career batting average and on-base percentage are highest when batting second with .305 and .349, respectively.
Moving Ellsbury to the ninth hole could be a drawback for the Sox, as they would lose his speed and ability to move around the bases at the top of the order, but batting him there is the best decision to give the more dangerous players more at-bats in the lineup.
Where should Ellsbury hit in the lineup? Share your thoughts below.
Terry Francona continues to ponder how he will structure his lineup this season. He has several hitters that can eachhave lead off experience – — Jacoby Ellsbury, Dustin Pedroia and Carl Crawford – — and bat clean up – — Kevin Youkilis, Adrian Gonzalez and David Ortiz. However, if one thing is certain, Ellsbury should not lead off for this potent line up this season.
According to ESPN.com, Ellsbury should bat ninthEllsbury should bat ninth in the Red Sox line up, writes Buster Olney writes.
http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/red-sox/post/_/id/7694/olneys-opinion-hit-ellsbury-ninth
In 2008, Ellsbury’'s last healthy season with the Red Sox, 504 out of his 624 at bats were in the leadoff spot. , where he He had posted a respectable .300 batting average.
However, he had an unimpressive .347 on base percentage.
In a career where he's posted more than 50 at bats in four different positions across the batting order, With at least 50 at bats in the hitting order (ß I don’t know how to word this), Ellsbury has has his the lowest batting average and on base percentage when leading off with, .279 and .330, respectively.
In 62 career at batsappearances batting ninth, he has a high .371 batting average and .426 on base percentage. Even when hitting seventh or eighth, he has a .311 and .415 batting average, respectively. Clearly, he hits best when in the lower spots in the lineup.
Batting last does not automatically designate the hitterEllsbury as the worst hitter in the starting lineup. It gives him an opportunity to hit in front of the monstrous first top half of the Red Sox' lineuproster, who can move him over and drive him in if he gets on base.
Olney projected the Boston lineup with Pedroia leading off and Crawford, Youkilis, Gonzalez and Ortiz following him successively. Pedroia, who infrequently strikes out and puts the ball in play, can actively move Ellsbury into scoring position or send him home on a single, if batting behind him.
But can’'t Ellsbury just lead off for that to happen? A line up should be made so your best players are closer to the top and get the most at bats in each game.
Ellsbury is a valuable asset on the base paths, but not a formidable hitter in the lineup, which now consists of tremendous power and an above .300 batting average at the top of the order.
When Pedroia won Rrookie of the Yyear in 2007, he had posted a high .328 batting average and .393 on base percentage when batting first. Over his career, he has a .305 batting average and .378 on base percentage when leading off an inning, compared to Ellsbury’'s .270 batting average and .308 on base percentage.
With Pedroia leading off, Crawford can continue to bat second where he’'s most comfortable. In 500 at bats or more, Crawford’'s career batting average and on base percentage are highest when batting second with, .305 and .349, respectively.
It would be difficult to moveMoving Ellsbury to the ninth hole could be a drawback for the Sox, as they would lose for his speed and ability to move around the bases at the top of the order, but batting him there is the best decision to give the more dangerous players more at bats in the line up.
Where should Ellsbury hit in the line up? Share your thoughts below?
Where will Jacoby Ellsbury hit in the lineup at the start of the season?customer surveys
