Baseball Musings
Baseball Musings
March 26, 2002
Here's another article about Soriano

Here's another article about Soriano leading off. I'm not sure I agree with this quote:


Torre remained non-committal about what his lineup will be Monday in Baltimore, although he has been both intrigued and upbeat about what he has seen in Soriano batting first and Johnson second. The detractors - and there are plenty inside the organization - think Soriano is just not patient enough. And it might turn out he isn't. If Soriano cannot get on base at least 35 percent of the time - and there are serious questions if he can - then his electricity will not be enough to bat him leadoff.

Thirty-five percent of the time translates to a .350 OBA. Last year, a horrible one for leadoff hitters, the AL average among #1 hitters was .330. In the previous 10 years, it was between .344 and .360. So .350 is about average. That's fine if you have no one else on your team that is capable of leading off, but when I think of a leadoff hitter, I want someone who's at least at .380, and the Yankees have that in Jeter.

Sherman had it right when he first thought about the Yankees lineup, although he has Nick Johnson too low:


When spring training began, I was convinced the Yankees would look best with Soriano batting sixth and Nick Johnson ninth. I imagined Soriano ready to step into an RBI spot and figured Johnson would be best served hitting last, just as Jeter and Soriano mostly did in their rookie season to lower-pressure success.

Now I think the best lineup would be: Soriano, Johnson, Derek Jeter, Jason Giambi, Bernie Williams, Rondell White, Jorge Posada, Robin Ventura and Shane Spencer.

Why?

Because if it doesn't work, the Yanks can always change. A month from now, the Yanks can switch to Jeter leading off and Williams second. But if it works, the Yanks are set up for a 900-run season and the blueprint for a long-term lineup.


They also can change if Soriano can put up a .370 OBA from the 8th or ninth spot.

Based on Johnson's minor league record, there was little doubt he'd put up good OBA numbers, so I would never have had him ninth. I was thinking he'd bat 2nd, depending on how his power developed. I'd even consider leading him off and batting Jeter 2nd. In fact, if you take the latter lineup above, move Soriano to 8th and everyone above him up a notch, that's not a bad order at all.


Posted by David Pinto at 07:09 PM | Baseball