Reds July 2023 thread

[*TheLeonardLeap*]

(07-08-2023, 04:10 PM)bengalfan74 Wrote: I guess it's just he's one of the leaders and they hate to demote him, kinda ??

But he's only batting .158 with 16 strikeouts over last 15 games. If he didn't have the three HR's his stats would be well just bad. If it keeps up much longer they're going to have to move him.

Your 3rd batter is supposed to be the best hitter on the team.

Even with the homers, he's pretty routinely 8th in OPS in the lineup. Same with tonight, the only person with a lower OPS than India in the lineup is playing Catcher and batting 8th.

It's not a demotion. I would argue it's worse to put a guy into a position where he's clearly not meant to be and leaving him there to just flounder. Give Fraley or Steer a chance.

Funny thing is India has actually been good when there's nobody on base, hitting .270/.366/.456 even with the slump. Just isn't a #2-#5 hitter.

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I think the current popular theory is your #2 hitter should be your best hitter as it gives your #1 hitter (should be your best OBP guy) the chance to move into scoring position or score on an xbh, or if the #1 fails to get on but the #2 still does it gives you enough outs that your #3 hitter (2nd best) and #4 hitter (power) have an AB with a player on. Also the #2 hitter gets more PA than the #3 over time.

1: OBP (+speed)
2: Best
3: 2nd Best
4: Power
5: 3rd Best/2nd Power
6-8: Whomever
9: Speed

I think the best hitters moved to #2 when the math started showing that sac bunts were taking runs off your board over the course of a year and should be reserved for very specific scenarios. That and the reduction in hit-and-runs made the #2 be less of your "contact guy".