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Gibby has said that Tulo will be going back to batting 5th this year and its going to be an audition between Pillar and Saunders for the leadoff spot this year.

Who do you prefer and why?

Personally id go with Pillar, but im biased and also haven't seen Saunders play yet. I think that Pillar made great strides last two months of the season making more contact with the ball and also hitting the ball to all sides of the field, something that is quite valuable for a leadoff hitter. He's also got good speed. Only thing that concerns me is that despite his improved eye and approach at the plate he still strikes out too much and doesnt walk enough, two things that you dont want to see in a leadoff hitter.

Thoughts?

In an ideal world, Pompey clicks and earns the left-field position while putting up a high enough .obp to warrant a shot at lead-off. That kind of speed on the bases would be a perfect distraction for pitchers trying to deal with our 2-4.

bautista
donaldson
tulowitzki
encarnacion

bautista leading off will never happen, but want these guys getting more PA's than anyone else. followed by;

colabello
martin
saunders
pillar
goins

If the options are Saunders and Pillar, I'll take Saunders. He'll get on base more.

Randle McMurphy wrote:If the options are Saunders and Pillar, I'll take Saunders. He'll get on base more.

Those are the options and it'll more than likely be Saunders.

Santoki wrote:

Randle McMurphy wrote:If the options are Saunders and Pillar, I'll take Saunders. He'll get on base more.

Those are the options and it'll more than likely be Saunders.

Yeah, Gibbons didn't sound too enthralled about Pillar potentially leading off back at the state of the franchise event.

I doubt either one will win the spot.
I think I would go with Tulo or JB.

I would be okay with Pillar (He can steal bases and put the ball in play.)

Once Travis comes back then he is your leadoff guy.

Saunders versus righties, Martin against lefties. And hopefully Travis or Pompey by mid-season at the latest.

if martin can get back to .400obp, that would be wonderful

Go get Votto but seriously I think Gibbons is just going to throw **** at the wall and hope something sticks

Xaos wrote:I would be okay with Pillar (He can steal bases and put the ball in play.)

Once Travis comes back then he is your leadoff guy.

The problem with Pillar is if goes into a slump then he won't be getting on base at all. Among the projected starters I would choose him 8th or 9th best option as the lead off hitter. I wish that Martin was part of the conversation here.

Domenic Brown which would mean he has had a great spring training and has surpassed Saunders

Saunders can keep the spot warm for Travis.

So whats our lineup going to look like tomorrow? does anyone know?

Aintnohater wrote:So whats our lineup going to look like tomorrow? does anyone know?

Don't know the lineup but Stroman, Hutch, Delabar, Tepera, Jenkins and Copeland are slated to pitch tomorrow.

bringbackhoffa wrote:Domenic Brown which would mean he has had a great spring training and has surpassed Saunders

Even during his allstar season, getting on base was not Brown's forte.

Saunders probably. I like the lineup as is below Saunders and wouldn't change a thing.

Pillar just doesn't get on base enough.

Not that he isn't valuable. I hope he watches film and learns how to let pitches go. It would make him a scary player.

Pillar has no business near the top of the lineup. I don't really care who it is as long as it's one of our top 5 hitters.

Xaos wrote:I would be okay with Pillar (He can steal bases and put the ball in play.)

Why is putting the ball in play a good thing for a leadoff hitter more so than other spots? Wouldn't you rather have a guy who strikes out a lot getting the most at-bats with the bases empty?? Also lets keep in mind that you only lead off once per game. It's far more important that we have a good hitter come up in the 9th inning when the lineup turns over for the last time. In the playoffs we often had Revere come up in big situations near the end of the game when honestly I'd have been a lot more comfortable with Tulo or Donaldson. This is the primary reason those weak slap hitting speedsters should be at the bottom of the lineup rather than the top.

I would say Pillar