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2 questions about new-fangled baseball play

Posted on 3/28/25 at 9:24 pm
Posted by Skippy1013
Lafayette, La
Member since Oct 2017
690 posts
Posted on 3/28/25 at 9:24 pm
I came through my whole life watching baseball, but 2 things have suddenly changed and I’m wondering…

Why now, what gives?

1) “the shift” defense
2) best home run hitters not batting 4th, “cleanup”

Posted by lsurulz1515
Member since Mar 2007
7008 posts
Posted on 3/28/25 at 9:27 pm to
1)been a thing for 4-5 years now. So bad that the majors have tried to limit it numerous ways
2)best homerun hitters have been hitting in the 2 and/or 3 for almost a decade. The higher in the order, the better chance of getting 1 extra AB per game...which can turn into 30 extra ABs per season
Posted by SammyTiger
Baton Rouge, LA
Member since Feb 2009
75274 posts
Posted on 3/28/25 at 9:29 pm to
insane amounts of data really

so if you know a guy hits 90% of his ground balls to the left, but another fielder there.

as to not having you’re best HR threat at cleanup, it’s mostly about getting your best hitters more AB. so you put them farther up on the order
Posted by MikeTheTiger71
Member since Dec 2021
3642 posts
Posted on 3/28/25 at 9:29 pm to
Computers and video technology improved baseball knowledge of the best strategies. Teams realize now that it’s best to give more ABs to the best hitters and how the data to predict where balls are most likely to be hit.
Posted by Skippy1013
Lafayette, La
Member since Oct 2017
690 posts
Posted on 3/28/25 at 9:30 pm to
Thanks for that information, but why did it take 100 years of baseball to figure this out, especially part about your cleanup guy getting extra at bats?
Posted by xBirdx
Member since Sep 2018
1084 posts
Posted on 3/28/25 at 9:32 pm to
Started hiring nerds in the front office for analytics and stuff ..

No more old school scouts with cigars watching minor league games
Posted by Rebel
Graceland
Member since Jan 2005
137927 posts
Posted on 3/28/25 at 9:39 pm to
wait until you find out they wear pink spikes and undershirts.

Posted by barry
Location, Location, Location
Member since Aug 2006
50829 posts
Posted on 3/28/25 at 9:40 pm to
quote:

I came through my whole life watching baseball, but 2 things have suddenly changed and I’m wondering… Why now, what gives? 1) “the shift” defense


Ted Williams was routinely shifted on by defenses, read a book.
Posted by Asleepinthecove
Lafayette
Member since Jan 2023
1586 posts
Posted on 3/28/25 at 9:41 pm to
You’re only the cleanup hitter the first time through the lineup. The key is to get your best hitters the most AB’s and having them at the top of the lineup does that.
Posted by Hester Carries
Member since Sep 2012
24142 posts
Posted on 3/28/25 at 9:41 pm to
quote:

Thanks for that information, but why did it take 100 years of baseball to figure this out, especially part about your cleanup guy getting extra at bats?


Same reason you’re asking about it, I guess.
Posted by MRTigerFan
Baton Rouge
Member since Sep 2008
5283 posts
Posted on 3/28/25 at 9:41 pm to
quote:

Skippy1013

Posted by TackySweater
Member since Dec 2020
19816 posts
Posted on 3/28/25 at 9:42 pm to
quote:

The higher in the order, the better chance of getting 1 extra AB per game...which can turn into 30 extra ABs per season

Why wouldn’t the lineup go best hitter to worst hitter then?
Posted by barry
Location, Location, Location
Member since Aug 2006
50829 posts
Posted on 3/28/25 at 9:43 pm to
quote:

Thanks for that information, but why did it take 100 years of baseball to figure this out, especially part about your cleanup guy getting extra at bats?


More hitters than ever are pulling the ball, so more teams are shifting
Posted by barry
Location, Location, Location
Member since Aug 2006
50829 posts
Posted on 3/28/25 at 9:44 pm to
quote:

Why wouldn’t the lineup go best hitter to worst hitter then?


Contrary to popular belief, the order of your lineup doesn’t actually matter all that much over the course of a season.
Posted by TackySweater
Member since Dec 2020
19816 posts
Posted on 3/28/25 at 9:47 pm to
quote:

ntrary to popular belief, the order of your lineup doesn’t actually matter all that much over the course of a seaso

So what’s the point in making what appears to be a strategic decision on it?
Posted by lsurulz1515
Member since Mar 2007
7008 posts
Posted on 3/28/25 at 9:48 pm to
quote:

Why wouldn’t the lineup go best hitter to worst hitter then?

I mean aside from the fact that those power hitters may have runners on base for them 1-4 times per game?
Is it really that hard to grasp?
Posted by TackySweater
Member since Dec 2020
19816 posts
Posted on 3/28/25 at 9:52 pm to
quote:

mean aside from the fact that those power hitters may have runners on base for them 1-4 times per game? Is it really that hard to grasp?

You said it was about getting extra at bats. Why wouldn’t you want the most at bats for you best power/home run hitter?
Posted by Bmath
LA
Member since Aug 2010
18756 posts
Posted on 3/28/25 at 9:52 pm to
quote:

your cleanup guy


Typically, they may only bat cleanup once a game.
Posted by lsurulz1515
Member since Mar 2007
7008 posts
Posted on 3/28/25 at 9:59 pm to
I mean i just answered that...having potential runners on for said at bats. You can't be that dense, right?

Multiple decisions can't be in play at one time?

Some of you can't juggle making a decision with multiple potential outcomes?
Posted by Hester Carries
Member since Sep 2012
24142 posts
Posted on 3/28/25 at 10:05 pm to
quote:

Why wouldn’t the lineup go best hitter to worst hitter then?


A lot of coaches like to alternate L/R to make it harder to bring in RPs for extended favorable matchups
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