At the end of the day it doesn't really matter what you or I think as Hinch is the one making out the lineup and he likes Springer at the top of the order. That said given the results this yr it's hard to argue against Hinch's thinking.
Its not so much that I am against his thinking, just open to alternative thinking. (see my previous response in regards to what Hinch has actually said http://bbs.clutchfans.net/index.php?threads/bench-springer.285895/page-7#post-11391048 ).
Unless something weird happens, get used to Springer batting lead off again next year. Sorry, but I have no idea what you are trying to say here: seems to me that you feel its worked so well, why change it? But to me, that implies it must be fragile. You wouldn't be afraid to tinker if you thought of it as resilient, would you? Why would something working well imply that it must be fragile?
I go with what works and what has been shown to work. Springer is the leadoff batter. It has worked for the Astros both during the regular season and the playoffs. Springer's hitting approach changed for the better when he became a leadoff hitter. The team has a track record of success using Springer at the top of the lineup. The fact that he doesn't steal a lot of bases is the only reason I've seen to not have him be at the top of the order. That one reason doesn't override the many reasons and success our team has with Springer batting first.
George Springer career splits 1st batter of game.....304/.395/.569 .964 OPS Leading off an inning....302/.384/.567 .952 OPS Men on base...264/.373/.467 .840 OPS RISP.....243/.373/.410 .783 OPS Play to a man's strengths, don't try to expose his weakness, end of discussion
Steam Engines worked well in their time as well. Because your afraid to change it (the BO) and possibly discover it can be greater still in the belief that you might make it worse. That to me is lack of faith. If you belief in its parts (the players), than you shouldn't be scared to try to imagine that the Steam Engine can be bettered.
This year: http://www.espn.com/mlb/player/splits/_/id/32078/george-springer None on.......................283 .356 .519 .875 Leading off an inning...302 .393 .600 .993 Men on base................282 .389 .529 .918 RISP.............................392 .544 .725 1.269 (two outs)
Well, unless something weird happens with the roster, be prepared to be disappointed again next season.
Yep we know exactly how well he hit out of the lead off spot. And yet, you want to move him after the fantastic year he had. Strange.
There will NEVER be an end to this discussion; not as long as there's a wall Jim can bang his head against. I've been on his side of things - objectively wrong & facing a horde of posters who couldn't wait to tell me so. I've even tried to punch my way out of it. But he has dug his heels in so far here... Even a day after Springer snapped his cold streak (as we all told Jim he would) AND won the first World Series game in franchise history, rather than be contrite and concede - even a little - he's chosen instead to double down. I don't get it.
