Does anyone else think the Mariners would be doing better if Ichiro Suzuki

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Pegger

New member
was batting in a different spot? He is batting .368 with 150 hits and he only has 26 RBIs and 56 runs scored. I think they could get more productivity out of the lineup if he was given more of a chance with runners on base. I know he only has 6 home runs, but you only need a single with runners in scoring position.
 
I agree that he is by far the best position player on the Mariners. Here are the reasons why he should bat first:

1) Typically, when you have a player who hits for a high average and has a high on base percentage, you want him to get as many at bats as he can. The lead off spot usually gets roughly 60-70 extra at bats a year than the clean up spot.

2) You want run producers to get ahead of the hitters who drive in runs. Think this: Carl Crawford (who does have some pop) is a fantastic lead off hitter because of his high average and OBP. What makes him scary is that he can take second at will.

If you lead the game off with a walk or single and then steal single, your automatically in scoring position. The second hitter in the order is usually a player who can move the ball around well (Placido Polanco is considering a terrific second position hitter because of his ability to move a runner from second to third). You now have one out and a runner on third.

Ichiro is very similar to Crawford, but gets on base more and hits for less power. If you can get him 60 extra at bats a year, you want him to (that's roughly 22 extra hits for him a year).

If Seattle had productive hitters in the 3/4 holes, Ichiro would be one of the most valuable players in baseball. In 2001, Ichiro was a monster because he had Edgar Martinez, Bret Boone, Carlos Guillen, and Mike Cameron in the line up with him.

That help a little or?
 
Yes with a BA like that, I think he should be hitting 3rd or 4th in the lineup. I don't know if the Mariners would be better, but I'm thinking more runs would be brought home so maybe a few more wins.
 
The Mariners like having Ichiro Suzuki as a lead off hitter so he can get on base and cause problems one the base paths. He is a constant threat to steal and has great speed. I do believe he is in the right spot of the order but the Mariners have to clutch up more when he's in scoring position. Just because this is the first year he's going to score less than 100 runs doesn't mean he has to be moved down the batting order. Just relax and let Ichiro do his thing. :)
 
Traditionally, your best hitter for average batted third. Your best power hitter batted fourth.

With that said, Holliday is batting behind Pujols. Seems like you'd want it the other way around so Pujols has someone on base.

I'd bat Ichiro third.
 
Ichiro is a singles hitter we all know that. It is actually very importnat that he doesn't change his spot in the order. As a first hitter, he can get on base and also has the speed to steal. He can get to 2nd with no outs and he can easily be drove in. He also can beat out tough double plays. If he bats 4th or 3rd with a guy ahead of him who isn't that fast, it won't allow Ichiro to utilize his running game. When it comes down to it, they are best having Branyan batting 4th because you will need a home run if you have men on base, in close games a single won't do much if the runners on base can't score from second.
 
i think definatly that he should be moved to cleanup. just because he has such a good batting average. i think he will be able to contribute more rbi's and runs.
 
i think definatly that he should be moved to cleanup. just because he has such a good batting average. i think he will be able to contribute more rbi's and runs.
 
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