re: Hanover batting clean up

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Ill just say that I think the cleanup spot going to Hanover is not far fetched considering who we have returning.

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I never said its far fetched. I have absolutely NO PROBLEM with Hanover hitting cleanup. I'm the one who pointed out Schimpf was a little guy who could hit the ball a ton. I merely said the RBI is a near worthless stat.

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Gibbs couldnt even hit .300 last year, and ya, having great speed and hitting cleanup isnt completely out of the realm of possibility, but it doesnt make as much sense as putting that guy in the 1-2 spot or 5or 6 spots. So with Dean hitting 3, I really think it comes down to maybe Hanover and Gibbs at the 4.

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So, it's your contention that GIBBS is a bad hitter? Yeah, he couldn't hit 300. He hit 294. (the problem was he slugged 454 which was 1 less point than Hanover -- given that he had a lower AVG, it means Gibbs hit with more power when he got hits). I like Hanover. I think he'll do great. But you continually project opinions on me I have not advocated.

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And i still think its crazy to say that if Hanover hits 70 to 75 RBIs, that just anyone would have hit that many and he doesnt deserve any credit. Hell...Matt Clark didnt even hit 70. Hanover had 47 RBIs with around 200 ABs...and he didnt hit in the "coveted" 4-hole.

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He'll desrve credit if he hits well. But it won't be because of his RBI total. Are you going to argue that Clark wasn't given credit or wasn't a great hitter. and is your use of quotes supposed to be ironic? Are you suggesting that the cleanup position in the lineup is NOT coveted?

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Again...saying he won the lottery means he did nothing to elevate himself above others in fall/winter practice along with his summer play. The lottery is pure luck.

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If you wish to read it in the most negative way possible, sure. But it's pretty obvious from the context and my other posts in this thread that I meant it as a bonanza. And he is lucky, or fortunate at the very least. Mainieri very easily could have given the slot to Mahtook or Gibbs and no one would really complain about those decisions either.

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Do I think he'll hit 70 RBIs? Probably not...maybe 60-65...but I dont think Mahtook or Landry or Gaudet or Nola would have as many. I really dont. Now hearing what Gibbs has been doing with his bat speed etc...maybe Gibbs would be a better choice. We'll see...

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This goes back to me saying you have completely missed the point. at the end of the day, it doesn't matter who is in the cleanup slot. Lineup construction does not lead to more overall runs. the only person who benefits is the guy who gets the better looking stat line. I think any of our hitters, except maybe Nola, would be good in the #4 slot because, get this, I think they are all really good hitters. I think Hanover is likely getting the nod to build his confidence after getting benched for Helenihi briefly in Omaha. Mainieri is showing the kid that he still has a lot of confidence in him as a hitter. Which is great, I think Mainieri is very good at managing players and motivating them.

My whole point is that it doesn't matter who hits 4th. Mainieri literally couldn't make a wrong decision. The lineup is so loaded, anyone would thrive in that position because everyone can hit.

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I love this time of year though...

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As do I.

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that it doesn't matter who hits 4th. Mainieri literally couldn't make a wrong decision.

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Look at #3 through #7, insert and interchange any of those to #4.

In my opinion catching takes at least a few points off anybody's batting average sometimes more. That position is very demanding and physically draining. If Gibbs plays 1st base he probably hits .315 to .320 last year. It is not unheard of that a catcher is a great hitter, but typically catchers don't tear it up at the plate. If your catcher brings what Gibbs does defensively then being an average hitter is all that is required. My point is you can't judge Gibbs by the same standards as other hitters on the team. Put Dean or Hanover behind the plate for the season and see what happens to their average.

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Like someone said, Schimpf was 5'8" on a good day and could hit it a mile. Fontentot was one of the best players at LSU the last decade. Hanover has that kind of talent.

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Maybe Hanover has that kind of talent, but no one on the team had a swing like Schimpf. He had one of the best swings I have seen at LSU in a long time and that includes Fontenot. Short, compact stroke, and whipped it through the zone with great bat speed. I don't recall Hanover having a stroke anywhere in the vicinity of Schimpf's.

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I stopped reading there.

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Ya...cause we Texans who actually create jobs and balance our budgets and bail out States like California are such morons. Im surprised you read at all...congrats. What state are you from?

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I don't recall Hanover having a stroke anywhere in the vicinity of Schimpf's.

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Schimpf was lefthanded, they tend to have "prettier" swings.


Not like that matters any way.

If you can hit, you can hit. I don't care how pretty your swing is.

Hanover can flat out hit. He'll be a 1st team all conference IMO

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Yeah but you don't know how Hanover improved durring the offseason so Im sure there's sonehing Paul maneri knows that we don't

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I am not saying he should or shouldn't bat 4th, merely that his swing is not as efficient as Schimpf's is, which in theory would make Schimpf a tougher out. Hell, I hope Hanover hits .425.

so you are saying Hanover has a long swing?


Im not saying he is going to match Schimpf's power numbers. He prob wont.

Just pointing out not the shortchange the little guy.

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If you can hit, you can hit. I don't care how pretty your swing is.

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Signed,

Julio Franco