Spring Notes: Brian Roberts a full go this spring

[auzzy98]

Since everyone on here seems to think that we have "many" other options at leadoff other than BRob, I'd like to hear them. Mcclouth is the only guy who should be even considered. Is Nick going to get on base and cause the pitcher disruption? steal 2nd? I don't think so. Roberts was considered one of, if not the best leadoff hitter during his run, yeah he is older now, but have any of you seen him play this year? Give him a chance at least. He is our best option at leadoff if healthy.

[Mayor McCheese]

Since everyone on here seems to think that we have "many" other options at leadoff other than BRob, I'd like to hear them. Mcclouth is the only guy who should be even considered. Is Nick going to get on base and cause the pitcher disruption? steal 2nd? I don't think so. Roberts was considered one of, if not the best leadoff hitter during his run, yeah he is older now, but have any of you seen him play this year? Give him a chance at least. He is our best option at leadoff if healthy.

Markakis, Mclouth, Reimold....

Per the bolded: We ranked dead last in stolen bases last season (58)...our leadoff hitter does not need to steal bases, disrupt the pitcher, etc. etc.....

his job is to get on base so our #2 can either drive him in or get him into scoring position...which is why Mclouth OR Markakis should be our leadoff hitter.

Brob should hit 9th so he has less pressure on himself and get use to everyday ABs

[auzzy98]

Markakis, Mclouth, Reimold....

Per the bolded: We ranked dead last in stolen bases last season (58)...our leadoff hitter does not need to steal bases, disrupt the pitcher, etc. etc.....

his job is to get on base so our #2 can either drive him in or get him into scoring position...which is why Mclouth OR Markakis should be our leadoff hitter.

Brob should hit 9th so he has less pressure on himself and get use to everyday ABs

But if you could have a leadoff hitter that could steal bases and disrupt the pitcher wouldnt you want that? That is typically what leadoff hitters job is to do.

Reimold and Markakis are not your typical leadoff hitters, especially Reimold.

Markakis did a good job last year no doubt, but who is to say he stays that hot?

I remember Adam Jones saying in an interview after the 2011 season which i think he won the Oriole MVP award, that he would have had WAY better numbers if Roberts was hitting leadoff because of all he can do to disrupt the pitcher. Which obviously leading Jones and co. to get better pitches to hit. With Markakis you aren't going to get as many pitches cuz he is not a stolen base threat.

Just my opinion.

[Can_of_corn]

But if you could have a leadoff hitter that could steal bases and disrupt the pitcher wouldnt you want that? That is typically what leadoff hitters job is to do.

Reimold and Markakis are not your typical leadoff hitters, especially Reimold.

Markakis did a good job last year no doubt, but who is to say he stays that hot?

I remember Adam Jones saying in an interview after the 2011 season which i think he won the Oriole MVP award, that he would have had WAY better numbers if Roberts was hitting leadoff because of all he can do to disrupt the pitcher. Which obviously leading Jones and co. to get better pitches to hit. With Markakis you aren't going to get as many pitches cuz he is not a stolen base threat.

Just my opinion.

That isn't the leadoff hitter's job. His job is to get on base. Anything he does positive on the basepaths after that is a bonus.

If you have some evidence showing that the ability to "disrupt the pitcher" makes a noticeable difference in the performances of subsequent hitters I would like to see it.

[Dipper9]

But if you could have a leadoff hitter that could steal bases and disrupt the pitcher wouldnt you want that? That is typically what leadoff hitters job is to do.

Reimold and Markakis are not your typical leadoff hitters, especially Reimold.

Markakis did a good job last year no doubt, but who is to say he stays that hot?

I remember Adam Jones saying in an interview after the 2011 season which i think he won the Oriole MVP award, that he would have had WAY better numbers if Roberts was hitting leadoff because of all he can do to disrupt the pitcher. Which obviously leading Jones and co. to get better pitches to hit. With Markakis you aren't going to get as many pitches cuz he is not a stolen base threat.

Just my opinion.

You're remembering the pre-injury BRob. Its been 3 years since he's been healthy. He's 35 years old now. Expecting him to return to the speedy little doubles machine is asking too much.

[Big Al]

I will go out on a limb here and predict a comeback player of the year type performance from BRob in his contract walk year...145 games, .290/.350/.800 with 45 doubles...

This. While his hip and head were recovering, his legs and the rest of his body were not taking the daily abuse of leading off and playing 2nd base.

[auzzy98]

This. While his hip and head were recovering, his legs and the rest of his body were not taking the daily abuse of leading off and playing 2nd base.

i agree with this, makes sense to me.

[auzzy98]

That isn't the leadoff hitter's job. His job is to get on base. Anything he does positive on the basepaths after that is a bonus.

If you have some evidence showing that the ability to "disrupt the pitcher" makes a noticeable difference in the performances of subsequent hitters I would like to see it.

I don't have time to look up stats, but EVEYONE who knows baseball knows that is a great thing to have at the leadoff position, you will not convince me otherwise. Sure it's a bonus on top of good OBP, but stealing 2nd base out of the gate and getting into scoring position and getting hit home could mean the difference in winning or losing the game. Not saying that Brob is going to steal 30 bases anymore, but he could steal 10-15 i bet easily, better than markakis stealing 3-4.

[Dipper9]

I don't have time to look up stats, but EVEYONE who knows baseball knows that is a great thing to have at the leadoff position, you will not convince me otherwise. Sure it's a bonus on top of good OBP, but stealing 2nd base out of the gate and getting into scoring position and getting hit home could mean the difference in winning or losing the game. Not saying that Brob is going to steal 30 bases anymore, but he could steal 10-15 i bet easily, better than markakis stealing 3-4.

But Kakes will already be on second base because he'll hit 30 more doubles than Roberts!

Look, I love BRob and hope you're right, but I don't see a great bounce back year at 35 years old and being hurt for three straight season.

[auzzy98]

But Kakes will already be on second base because he'll hit 30 more doubles than Roberts!

Look, I love BRob and hope you're right, but I don't see a great bounce back year at 35 years old and being hurt for three straight season.

haha, you might be right who knows man. I am just hoping for the best too. He was just so electric back in his day and would love to see him get it back together for his last year or so. He deserves it for what he has done for Baltimore over his career.

[Brooks The Great]

I don't have time to look up stats, but EVEYONE who knows baseball knows that is a great thing to have at the leadoff position, you will not convince me otherwise. Sure it's a bonus on top of good OBP, but stealing 2nd base out of the gate and getting into scoring position and getting hit home could mean the difference in winning or losing the game. Not saying that Brob is going to steal 30 bases anymore, but he could steal 10-15 i bet easily, better than markakis stealing 3-4.

You're drastically overrating stealing second and "disrupting" the pitcher. Even if Roberts steals 15 bases, he'l get caught at least 5 times doing so. That means we're talking about a net of maybe 6 or 7 stolen bases over Markakis, best case scenerio. Expecting Roberts to play the whole season is a stretch, so it's likely we're discussing just a few stolen bases over the course of an entire season. That's not worth giving up Nick's OBP, more doubles, and better ability to work the count.

[auzzy98]

I remember being at a game in 2011 against Boston. Jon Lester was pitching. Roberts either got a walk or a single leading off the game. He stole 2nd on the first pitch to Markakis and 3rd on the next pitch. Markakis gets a single, BAM 1-0 Baltimore. He had balls

[Can_of_corn]

I don't have time to look up stats, but EVEYONE who knows baseball knows that is a great thing to have at the leadoff position, you will not convince me otherwise. Sure it's a bonus on top of good OBP, but stealing 2nd base out of the gate and getting into scoring position and getting hit home could mean the difference in winning or losing the game. Not saying that Brob is going to steal 30 bases anymore, but he could steal 10-15 i bet easily, better than markakis stealing 3-4.

The ability to steal bases at a high rate of success is a great thing to have at every position in the lineup. You do not choose your leadoff hitter by stolen base percentage, you choose them for their ability to get on base.

[auzzy98]

You're drastically overrating stealing second and "disrupting" the pitcher. Even if Roberts steals 15 bases, he'l get caught at least 5 times doing so. That means we're talking about a net of maybe 6 or 7 stolen bases over Markakis, best case scenerio. Expecting Roberts to play the whole season is a stretch, so it's likely we're discussing just a few stolen bases over the course of an entire season. That's not worth giving up Nick's OBP, more doubles, and better ability to work the count.

Sure if Roberts cant play a full season then that goes out the window. But any team would want a guy like Roberts in his prime leading off over Nick. There is no argument for it at all. Nick is your typical number 2 hitter. Great hitter, decent power, good eye.

Roberts is a typical 1 hole hitter. That's why baseball considered him one of the best leadoff hitters in baseball if not the best. Same thing with someone like Bourne, he is a great leadoff hitter because of his OBP and what he can do while on the basepaths.

[auzzy98]

The ability to steal bases at a high rate of success is a great thing to have at every position in the lineup. You do not choose your leadoff hitter by stolen base percentage, you choose them for their ability to get on base.

i agree with that. Who do you want leading off between Roberts in his prime or Markakis in his prime?