The truth about the two hole

[bedir than average]

Just heard Bill Krueger state that Jose Vidro has done quite well in the two slot, in fact better than anyone since McLemore. So silly me, I looked it up

Jose Vidro 2007 Batting Splits - Baseball-Reference PI

That shows that Vidro has an OPS+ relative to the team in that split (batting second) of 80 and compared to the league he's a 67 batting second. That's poooooor, in fact its woeful.

SEA 2007 Batting Splits - Baseball-Reference PI

Now the team split v the league batting in the two slot is 79 (its the sOPS+). Vidro has 37 GS in the two slot.

Now the leadoff guy has a 126 sOPS+, yet the tablesetters (1&2) are only 103, this is basically all because of the poor performance of the 2 hitter.

Adrian Beltre has a sOPS+ of 82 in 27 GS
Jose Lopez has a sOPS+ of 106 in 20 GS

The offense, if the players don't change would likely be best with Jose Lopez in the two slot and not bunnting, it would set up the heart of the order much better.

[bedir than average]

Since I wrote this Vidro is up to an 80 OPS+ v the league in the two hole, which means he is now nearly as good as Beltre.

Yet, Krueger insists a second week that Vidro is the club's ideal two-hitter.

Why?

[Wiggen]

Because he's a switch hitter, which means he has a better shot at being able to hit behind the runner. And because he's one of the few Mariners actually willing to take a pitch or two to give Ichiro the opportunity to steal.

[Goose]

Originally Posted by Wiggen

And because he's one of the few Mariners actually willing to take a pitch or two to give Ichiro the opportunity to steal.

Pitchers per plate appearance:

Ibanez:3.8
Sexson:3.7
Ichiro:3.7
Beltre:3.7
Guillen:3.6
Vidro:3.6
Lopez:3.5
Betancourt:3.4
Johjima:3.3

[bedir than average]

Looks like by that logic the best guy would be Ibanez, because as a lefty he would hit behind the runner more often than a switch and he sees more pitches than any other hitter.

[Wiggen]

Originally Posted by Goose

Pitchers per plate appearance:

Ibanez:3.8
Sexson:3.7
Ichiro:3.7
Beltre:3.7
Guillen:3.6
Vidro:3.6
Lopez:3.5
Betancourt:3.4
Johjima:3.3

I'd be interested in seeing those numbers when first base is occupied. I would have no problem with Ibanez hitting second, however. Since his home run swing has apparently deserted him, but he's still finding the gap for doubles, it might be a good place for him. Now, if only we had Mark Texeira to hit third.

[Goose]

That's quite an obscure split. P/PA with a runner on first.

I have no idea where to find that or if even such a split exists. Though I'd be interested to see it as well.