The leadoff spot...

[Bradysburns]

In looking at Dan-O's recap of the game, it struck me that the lead-off spot is one of the most intriguing of the spring.

McClouth, Markakis, Reimold... all played solid leadoff at various times last year. They all bring very different things to the table. Then of course, Roberts is back.

Given what you know right now, who should start the season as our leadoff hitter, and why? I don't know if Buck has weighed in yet - I think I remember hearing he wants Roberts at 2nd if healthy, but didn't hear anything explicit about leadoff.

I'm voting for Nate, at this point. He set the table well last year and I want to see him play in left every day. I'd rather see BRob start at the bottom of the lineup, if he stays healthy enough to play second base, to ease him into the mix.

[luismatos4prez]

My preferences in order:

Reimold
McLouth
Markakis
Roberts

My vote for the top of the order is still: Reimold-Markakis-Jones-Davis

[Lester Freamon]

In looking at Dan-O's recap of the game, it struck me that the lead-off spot is one of the most intriguing of the spring.

McClouth, Markakis, Reimold... all played solid leadoff at various times last year. They all bring very different things to the table. Then of course, Roberts is back.

Given what you know right now, who should start the season as our leadoff hitter, and why? I don't know if Buck has weighed in yet - I think I remember hearing he wants Roberts at 2nd if healthy, but didn't hear anything explicit about leadoff.

I'm voting for Nate, at this point. He set the table well last year and I want to see him play in left every day. I'd rather see BRob start at the bottom of the lineup, if he stays healthy enough to play second base, to ease him into the mix.

Nick was soooooo good in the leadoff spot last year that he would still be my first choice with Nate coming in second. For now, I'd rather see Brian at the bottom of the order. If, however unlikely, Roberts was to look something close to his old self during the season then I'd be interested in seeing him back atop the order.

I'm thinking opening day against David Price

RF - Nick
DH - Nolan
CF - Jones
C - Matt
1B - Davis
SS - JJ
3B - Manny
LF - Nate
2B - Brian

[markakis8]

Nick was soooooo good in the leadoff spot last year that he would still be my first choice with Nate coming in second. For now, I'd rather see Brian at the bottom of the order. If, however unlikely, Roberts was to look something close to his old self during the season then I'd be interested in seeing him back atop the order.

I'm thinking opening day against David Price

RF - Nick
DH - Nolan
CF - Jones
C - Matt
1B - Davis
SS - JJ
3B - Manny
LF - Nate
2B - Brian

Not a bad lineup. But against a lefty, I would rather have Reimold farther down in the order so he can hit with some guys on.

RF - Markakis
2B - Roberts
CF - Jones
C - Wieters
DH - Reimold
1B - Davis
SS - Hardy
3B - Machado
LF - McLouth

Roberts is good at making contact and can do hit & runs or bunt if necessary from the 2 hole. vs a RHP though, I'd move roberts down to the 9th slot and put Reimold in the 2 slot.

[Can_of_corn]

Roberts is good at making contact and can do hit & runs or bunt if necessary from the 2 hole. vs a RHP though, I'd move roberts down to the 9th slot and put Reimold in the 2 slot.

Roberts does not have the reputation of being a good bunter.

[markakis8]

Roberts does not have the reputation of being a good bunter.

I think at this stage in his career he should and can learn it quickly. I'm not talking about drag bunting. If you work at it, bunting is very easy to do - especially for a guy like Roberts. If 75% of the NL pitchers are adept at it, I'm sure Brian Roberts can be too.

[Bohs&O's]

Agreed. If you can't lay down a bunt you don't belong in highschool baseball let alone the Major leagues.

[crissfan172]

If Roberts can still get it done, I like my lineup like this:

Roberts
Markakis
Reimold
Jones
Wieters
Davis
Machado
Hardy
McLouth

If he's like a ~.700 OPS guy, then I'd prefer:

Markakis
McLouth
Reimold
Jones
Wieters
Davis
Machado
Hardy
Roberts

[isestrex]

I'm worried about this Roberts, McLouth, Markakis order.... Hopefully it was just a spring training experiment combined with Buck's desire to get Roberts some at bats quickly before he left camp for a few days.

Regardless, I would be very uneasy if that were the 1-2-3 come opening day.

[backwardsk]

I'm a proponent of having Markakis leading off against both lefties and righties.

[brianod]

Let's let things shake out. I don't know how you make this judgment without seeing how Spring goes.

[Frobby]

I'm worried about this Roberts, McLouth, Markakis order.... Hopefully it was just a spring training experiment combined with Buck's desire to get Roberts some at bats quickly before he left camp for a few days.

Roberts is leaving camp?

[crissfan172]

Roberts is leaving camp?

I believe he's going to a wedding.

[Spy Fox]

Still love Markakis in the leadoff spot, regardless of the pitcher's handedness-- in two of the past three years Nick was much better at hitting lefties than righties.

I'd prefer Markakis-Reimold-Jones as our top three hitters, after that I don't see that there's a clear order that should be followed. I assume Davis or Wieters will be hitting cleanup most often.

[isestrex]

Roberts is leaving camp?

Had to go to a wedding for a few days.