scribed by newyorkmetsdiehardfan
Harold Reynolds, doing a brilliant job of analysis on SNY's Mets Pregame show, had an idea to inspire debate...
He proposed batting Luis Castillo lead off. Castillo's hitting .265, with a .354 SLG and a .369 OBP, the OBP is the number to look at if he's hitting lead off. Except for the first inning, he'll be hitting after the pitcher, and probably will not have many RBI opportunities.
Jose Reyes is hitting .288, with a .352 OBP and a much better .485 SLG. Castillo has a better OBP, and when watching him at bat, it's obvious he looks at more pitches than Reyes. You want the lead off batter of every game to see as many pitches as possible, so that the other hitters see as many of the opposing pitcher's repertoire of pitches, velocity, command, and the home plate umpire's arbitrary strike zone, for that game.
Castillo is better equipped to see more pitches, and get on base. Reyes has more power, which is obvious. If Castillo walks (or hits one of his patented 200 foot singles just over the SS & 3B heads) and is on first base, Reyes may see more fastballs to hit. Reyes has more of a probability than Castillo to turn one of these fastballs into extra bases. Also, if Gump (a.k.a. Randolph) wants to "push" Castillo, he can start a hit-and-run forcing Castillo to run, and Reyes, to swing the bat.
This may be an idea worth pursuing...What do you think ???
1 comment:
I saw Reynolds too. He makes great sense. I say do it. Shake up the line-up. It couldn't hurt..hey it may work. I also like the idea of maybe sitting Delgado & trying some young blood. We may have to wait on that as Carlos is hovering near .500 in his last 15 at-bats. Mom always said, "try it...you may like it."
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