Brett Gardner is batting .326/.405/.415; .391 wOBA. That's the sixth-best OBP in the AL.Derek Jeter is at .266/.312/.387; .314 wOBA, and is close to shattering (if he has not already done so) the all-time record for groundouts to the shortstop.
I'm obviously well aware that slumps are part of the game, and I expect Jeter's numbers will be where they should be after all is said and done, but right now he's really hurting the offense. I don't think it would be the worst thing in the world to try Gardner -- still leading the American League in pitches per plate appearance -- as the leadoff hitter and bump Jeet down to the two-hole until he gets his bat going again.
With Grit getting on base over 40% of the time, working the count and not swinging at the first pitch he sees and grounding out to short in every at-bat, it should set a more positive tone for the lineup and hopefully allow Tex and A-Rod to actually get some at-bats in the first inning with less than two outs.
Hi Larry,
ReplyDeleteI missed last night's game (can't say I'm too sorry about that!), so my perceptive is a game behind. Just thought I'd mention that
I came up with 2 arguments for keeping Jeter where he is:
1. he hit in the leadoff spot all year last year to a 334 BA and 406 OBP... not sure what his career numbers are from the leadoff spot, but i would guess they're pretty good, and the sample size is pretty big
2. Yankees run production in losses isnt that low, and most of the games they lost, I feel like they lost bc they pitched horribly, except those 2 in detriot where they pitched well and didnt hit a lick. here are their May losses:
5/1 to White Sox 6-7
5/9 to Boston 3-9
5/10 to Detroit 4-5
5/12 to Detriot 2-0
5/13 to Detriot 6-0
5/16 to Min 6-3
5/18 to Boston 6-7
5/19 to Tampa 6-10
Ugh, look how many times they scored 6 runs and lost the game!
However, I feel like its a fine idea to shake the line up around every once in a while, but I dont think Girardi will do it.
Thoughts?
~jamie
Jeter hits into a lot of double plays. My understanding is that is a big reason why they bat him leadoff. Gardner is harder to double up, also.
ReplyDeleteMike,
ReplyDeletei think that grounder to short is just who Jeter is, its just that the frequency he's hitting it is way up and the frequency he's hitting the ball the other way into short right is way down.
~jamie
Which is fine, but for Jeter's career he has hit into a high amount of double plays, which is part of why he is better as a lead off hitter. He does get on base a lot, in a good year, but when he doesn't he makes a lot of ground ball outs. This is a big reason why it's better that he not bat second.
ReplyDeleteFack Youk also mentioned the DP aspect this morning, which I acknowledge I completely forgot about when writing this post.
ReplyDeleteStill, if Jeter would actually take a damn pitch every now and then Gardy could steal his way into scoring position and eliminate the DP.
Girardi likes to keep his lineup set, something I think is a good quality. But if we're discussing where Jeter should move during the slump I say it's the 9 hole, which he'd never agree to.
ReplyDeleteAnd Jeter does need to take a freakin' pitch. The swing at everything routine is clearly not getting him out of his slump.
I feel like Jeter used to take more pitches than he does this year. i wonder if i'm imagining that - he seems a lot more aggressive this year
ReplyDelete