Comments on: Matt Kemp needs to bat fourth, not third for the Dodgers

By: Mike Cook

Mike Cook — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 22:07:24 +0000

To my knowledge, the authoritative research on this topic is chapter 5 of “The Book,” titled “Batting (Dis)order.” A good summary is provided on p. 132:
“Your three best hitters should bat somewhere in the #1, #2, and #4 slots. Your fourth- and fifth-best hitters should occupy the #3 and #5 slots. The #1 and #2 slots will have players with more walks than those in the #4 and #5 slots. From slot #6 through #9, put the players in descending order of quality.”
So based on this, Kemp should bat 1st, 2nd, or 4th. Since more of his value derives from SLG than the other players you’d consider for those three slots, his best slot in the lineup is 4th. The surprising finding is that 3rd is not the next-best slot for him; 3rd should in fact be your 5th-best hitter. I can’t think of any teams that currently construct their lineup that way though.

By: lanflfan

lanflfan — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 20:31:56 +0000

Agreed on Dee Gordon that most are selling him short. It’s probably better that way, make for a better story (and lots of crow) when Dee does well.

I think Either is best for 3rd spot, just need to keep him healthy and in a good frame of mind (neither will be easy). Keep Kemp 4th, with Loney (or whoever else is hot) behind him. Sands could surprise, but probably needs constant play and that probably won’t happen in LA. It won’t be pretty this year, but once McCourt has been exorcised from the owner’s box things should turn around significantly.

I just hope Ellis isn’t another Uribe, and Uribe at least hits his weight and stays healthy (thanks again, Needle Head Ned, can’t wait until your gone).

By: cup0pizza

cup0pizza — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 07:43:20 +0000

You’re underestimating Dee Gordon, but overall the hitting situation for L.A. outside of Kemp and occasionally Ethier is very dire.

By: adeedothatswho

adeedothatswho — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 06:02:16 +0000

He said that C. Montgomery Burns was a better team owner than George Steinbrenner, and obviously, he was correct there.

By: westsideculture

westsideculture — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 05:55:01 +0000

Kemp 2012 MVP
http://bit.ly/wgJ1p4

By: capnsparrow23

capnsparrow23 — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 05:18:56 +0000

Kemp hits 10 points better and just crushes the ball in the first inning! Stop with Dawny’s idiotic idea of hitting him fourth!!!

By: dwrek5

dwrek5 — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 02:04:00 +0000

I was going to write that I tend to agree, but the main problem isnt Kemp at 3rd, its Gordon and Ellis 1,2. But then I tried to figure out who else would fit there and couldnt find anyone. This lineup up is bad, which is unfortunate. Only the great Vin Scully can make this team watchable.

By: paperlions

paperlions — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 00:19:58 +0000

Fact: Matt Kemp is nothing like the best RBI guy in the NL.

Want a little evidence?

Over the last 3 years he is 40th in RBI % (percent of runner on that were driven in) for guys that have had at least 500 runners on over that time period.

By: sabathiawouldbegoodattheeighthtoo

sabathiawouldbegoodattheeighthtoo — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 23:32:07 +0000

I think the NL West finally figured out that they should never pitch to Matt Kemp since he was the single threat in the Dodger’s lineup. I would imagine Kemp fourth with Loney 5th would mean Kemp sees exactly 7 pitches in the strike zone all year, and hits 8 HR.

And with so little to cheer about this year in Chavez Ravine, give the fans those extra few Kemp ABs.

By: Mark

Mark — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 23:16:01 +0000

“But I think Mattingly had the right idea last year.”

I believe that’s the first time anybody has ever suggested that Mattingly had the right idea about anything.