Minnesota Sports Forum

Not much suspense about who the nine guys in the batting order will be on opening day, but the order is not yet set. Here's my best guess:

Dozier
Mauer
Sano
Plouffe
Rosario
Park
Escobar
Suzuki
Buxton

While I like moving Mauer out of the 3 hole, Dozier is far from a prototypical leadoff guy. That's why I'm hoping that Buxton can take that role away from him early in the season, leading to this better lineup:

Buxton
Mauer
Sano
Plouffe
Rosario
Park
Dozier
Suzuki/Murphy
Escobar

What do you guys think?

Why is Park not right behind Sano? We brought in Park to be a bopper. His best chance to succeed is behind Sano and, if his power is really there, might even protect Sano from some extra walks this year.

LST I know your position on Dozier but I have a hard time believing he would end up dropping that far in the order...unless he was really struggling. I won't be surprised if Buzton struggles some this year but that's ok it feels like the lineup can live with that. It will be interesting how some things shake out who disappoints and who ends up with an opportunity because of a guy not getting it done or injury.

khans2k5 wrote:Why is Park not right behind Sano? We brought in Park to be a bopper. His best chance to succeed is behind Sano and, if his power is really there, might even protect Sano from some extra walks this year.

I thought about that, khans, but that would leave three RH hitters in the middle of the lineup, and Mollie doesn't like that. Rosario hit 15 HRs last year and, as the Strib pointed out this year, also had 10 triples that hit the top of the fence. It's not unrealistic to see him hitting 25 HRs in his second season, which is fine for a #5 hitter. It also allows Park to adjust to major league pitching in a less critical spot in the order. Opposing managers might bring in a lefty to face Rosario late in games, and Park likely does more damage against the lefty (if they leave him in there) or a righty that is likely not the opponent's best righty reliever (since presumably he was lifted for the lefty brought in to face Eddie).

I wouldn't be opposed to Park batting 5th, because I think he is going to hit 35 HRs this year. But I think 6th is a better option.

longstrangetrip wrote:

khans2k5 wrote:Why is Park not right behind Sano? We brought in Park to be a bopper. His best chance to succeed is behind Sano and, if his power is really there, might even protect Sano from some extra walks this year.

I thought about that, khans, but that would leave three RH hitters in the middle of the lineup, and Mollie doesn't like that. Rosario hit 15 HRs last year and, as the Strib pointed out this year, also had 10 triples that hit the top of the fence. It's not unrealistic to see him hitting 25 HRs in his second season, which is fine for a #5 hitter. It also allows Park to adjust to major league pitching in a less critical spot in the order. Opposing managers might bring in a lefty to face Rosario late in games, and Park likely does more damage against the lefty (if they leave him in there) or a righty that is likely not the opponent's best righty reliever (since presumably he was lifted for the lefty brought in to face Eddie).

I wouldn't be opposed to Park batting 5th, because I think he is going to hit 35 HRs this year. But I think 6th is a better option.

You can just put Rosario after Park so it's Mauer/Sano/Park/Rosario/Plouffe. If Rosario and Plouffe are 20 HR guys that's great for 5 and 6, but if you think Park is a 30+ HR guy don't you want him up to the plate in the cleanup role? I'd at least start that way until Sano and Park do something like strikeout too much to cause a change.

If Park hits anywhere close to his Korea results, khans, I think his batting cleanup makes sense. I'm going to try a new lineup...this time, based on every Twin player hitting to the best of their potential.

Buxton
Mauer
Sano
Park
Rosario
Plouffe
Dozier
Suzuki/Murphy
Escobar

Sano and Park are going to strike out a lot, but could also provide 70 HRs in the middle of the lineup...pretty exciting prospect. I still think Mollie starts the season batting Plouffe 4th because he wants a veteran there. But my new lineup (with Buxton leading off and Park cleanup) is potentially the most potent lineup.

longstrangetrip wrote:If Park hits anywhere close to his Korea results, khans, I think his batting cleanup makes sense. I'm going to try a new lineup...this time, based on every Twin player hitting to the best of their potential.

Buxton
Mauer
Sano
Park
Rosario
Plouffe
Dozier
Suzuki/Murphy
Escobar

Sano and Park are going to strike out a lot, but could also provide 700 HRs in the middle of the lineup...pretty exciting prospect. I still think Mollie starts the season batting Plouffe 4th because he wants a veteran there. But my new lineup (with Buxton leading off and Park cleanup) is potentially the most potent lineup.

I tell you if Buxton can just figure out his bat he's going to be special, if you haven't see his catch today here it's hopefully. Had to get it from the mlb site which doesn't always work.

BOS@MIN: Buxton makes stellar running catch in center

http://m.mlb.com/video/topic/26271672/v569035583/?partnerId=as_min_20160331_59997346

So many things to like about that catch. He picked up the flight of the ball right away, took a direct route and got there faster than anyone in the world could, and still had to be fully extended to make the catch. I had the same thought as Bert..."just get up". I think Buxton is going to figure out major league pitching...I'm more afraid of him getting hurt in the OF.

monsterpile wrote:LST I know your position on Dozier but I have a hard time believing he would end up dropping that far in the order...unless he was really struggling. I won't be surprised if Buzton struggles some this year but that's ok it feels like the lineup can live with that. It will be interesting how some things shake out who disappoints and who ends up with an opportunity because of a guy not getting it done or injury.

Dozier might be my favorite Twin, monster...with Hunter gone, he becomes the de facto leader of this team. But he hit .236 last year with only a .307 OBP, and he's never hit higher than .244. The premise of my lineup is that every player hits to his full potential, and although Dozier has some pop, which one of the 6 guys I have batting ahead of him has less potential than Dozier? I'd love to see our young guys hit to their potential, and if they do, I think this lineup will be very potent with Brian in the 7 hole.

longstrangetrip wrote:So many things to like about that catch. He picked up the flight of the ball right away, took a direct route and got there faster than anyone in the world could, and still had to be fully extended to make the catch. I had the same thought as Bert..."just get up". I think Buxton is going to figure out major league pitching...I'm more afraid of him getting hurt in the OF.

The guy was still sliding at a pretty decent speed when he hit that wall. In real time it probably didn't look that way but on replay it was a bit worrisome actually.