Who should hit third?

by GouldisGold on Dec 11, 2010 7:26 PM EST

After the Braves acquired Dan Uggla from the Marlins a few weeks ago, I was as happy as any other Braves fan. Frank Wren had finally added the right-handed power bat that had eluded us since Andruw Jones' departure. He would make a perfect cleanup hitter for us. But then I started wondering: who should bat third in the lineup? It is generally assumed that Chipper will be back next year, but I am not so sure he is still capable of the production that
he might think he is capable of. Personally, I think that Chipper should be dropped in the order in favor of Brian McCann. Assuming we do not add a leadoff center fielder, this is the lineup I would prefer:

Prado

Heyward

McCann

Uggla

Chipper

Gonzalez

McLouth

Freeman

Poll

Who should bat third in the lineup?

Chipper Jones

99 votes

Brian McCann

23 votes

Jason Heyward

135 votes

Dan Uggla

24 votes

281 votes | Poll has closed

This FanPost does not express the views or opinions of Talking Chop.

Tweet Comment 48 comments | 0 recs |

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Comments

hitting 3rd and beyond

as a contrarian here is what I would set:
m Young(provided he has a good spring)
prado( well suited for 2 hole)
heyward( needs the good pitches, can reach out and down and is developing)
Uggla
McCann
Chip(when playing)
Freeman( nice protected slot yet able to drive in runs, has decent eye)
Gonzales( take the pressure off, the expectations realistic)

I is what I is and I'm sticking to my story

by sealift67 on Dec 11, 2010 8:02 PM EST reply actions

This should be our lineup:

Prado
Chipper
Heyward
Uggla
McCann
Freeman
Gonzalez
McLouth

but that won’t happen. If McLouth hits 2nd I’ll kill myself and if Heyward hits any lower than 5th I’ll also kill myself.

"That guy mvhsbball is really an insufferable schmuck." - FuquaManuel

by Scott Coleman on Dec 11, 2010 8:33 PM EST via mobile reply actions

Damn.

Is life really that bad? I saw a fellow over on Stampede Blue react to a Fanpost suggesting that Peyton Manning be traded for the first draft pick overall (plus the house), which would be spent on Cam freaking Newton. Buddy said that if that were to happen, he would shoot himself in the left nut.

Yikes.

I’m 98% certain that McLouth will not be hitting 2nd in 2011. I leave a 2% amount of leeway on the off possibility that he has a good ST and shows that last year’s suckfest was an anomoly and he is back to form.

SOCIALMEDIA:"FACEBOOK" DOWN, MUST FIND NEW WAYS TO DEEPSTALK AREA FEMALES FOR HUMAN GANT RON TO SEX AKA DONG AFTER BRAVES ATL LOSSES --CyborgHanson48

by Chopaholic on Dec 11, 2010 8:41 PM EST up reply actions

Wow.

That guy who suggested the Cols should trade Manning for the first pick is just… wow.

Thanks Bobby!

by GouldisGold on Dec 11, 2010 9:24 PM EST up reply actions

I know, right?

The actual suggestion was to trade Manning for a whole slew of draft picks so that the Colts can “rebuild.”

I’m pretty sure the guy was trolling, though. It was such a ridiculous idea.

SOCIALMEDIA:"FACEBOOK" DOWN, MUST FIND NEW WAYS TO DEEPSTALK AREA FEMALES FOR HUMAN GANT RON TO SEX AKA DONG AFTER BRAVES ATL LOSSES --CyborgHanson48

by Chopaholic on Dec 12, 2010 2:08 AM EST up reply actions

Line UP

Prado
Gonzalez
Hayward
uggla
McCann
Chipper
Freeman
McLouth
MAybe move chipper up against Lefties , but this will protect our meat bats for good pitches

LIFE IS A GARDEN YOU HAVE TO DIG IT
STAY THIRSTY MY FRIENDS!!
Think Hard Real Hard Before You Type

by 21Dave on Dec 16, 2010 12:21 AM EST up reply actions

Why

Why why why, would you have Gonzalez hitting 2nd?

by Andy Braves Fan on Dec 16, 2010 11:40 AM EST up reply actions

I would rather see
CF TBD
2B Prado
RF Heyward
2B Uggla
C McCann
3B Jones
SS Gonzalez
1B Freeman
I don’t have any suggestions for center

by JNew84 on Dec 11, 2010 8:44 PM EST reply actions

Prado
Heyward
Chipper
Uggla
Heap
Sea Bass
Freeman
McLouth

Though I feel that 6-7-8 is a crap shoot at this point. We obviously need a leadoff hitter. Prado would rake at 2, while I feel Heyward might be better suited at five w/ Heap protecting him at 6.

Chipper at 3 is the Big If as we head into ST. Can he come back effective enough to return to his usual place in the lineup? Way too many question marks and way too early to start assembling lineups right now.

SOCIALMEDIA:"FACEBOOK" DOWN, MUST FIND NEW WAYS TO DEEPSTALK AREA FEMALES FOR HUMAN GANT RON TO SEX AKA DONG AFTER BRAVES ATL LOSSES --CyborgHanson48

by Chopaholic on Dec 11, 2010 8:49 PM EST reply actions

Depends on which Chipper we get.

If we get the Chipper that showed up after talking about retirement, then he should hit 3rd. If not, then Heyward is more than deserving of the three-hole.

Prado
Heyward
Chipper
McCann
Uggla
Freeman
Gonzalez
McLouth

That’s what I honestly expect to see to start next year.

by Jake Humphrey on Dec 11, 2010 9:06 PM EST reply actions

Dream order

M Young CF L
Prado LF R
Heyward RF L
Uggla 2B R
McCann C L
Chipper 3B S
Freeman 1B L
Gonzalez SS R

Free Matt Young!

by bighop on Dec 11, 2010 9:23 PM EST reply actions

then u put a guy with a high on base percentage

in a place where you only have to face the 8 hitter before you can use the pitcher to get out of a jam.. thats ridiculous to me

whatever the case, chip will have a 375+ on base percentage, and that needs to be ahead of run producers.

If chipper is dislodged from the three hole, it should be so that he can move to the 2 spot.

by willlinn on Dec 11, 2010 9:30 PM EST up reply actions

Freeman should bat 8th

To protect his confidence and development.

Thanks Bobby!

by GouldisGold on Dec 11, 2010 9:25 PM EST reply actions

dont we also think that might mess with his instincts?

by willlinn on Dec 11, 2010 9:30 PM EST up reply actions

We started out last year with Heyward hitting near the bottom of the order and then moving up as he showed he could handle it. I might bat Freeman 7th with Gonzalez 8th, to give him some protection.

by DawgB on Dec 13, 2010 10:28 AM EST up reply actions

Who Should-

Jason Heyward…

Who Will- Chipper Jones

"I'm gonna get drunk and play video games till my eyes bleed"- It's Always Sunny in Philly

by KINGSLYTUT on Dec 12, 2010 12:22 AM EST reply actions

word.

Just like this past season.

[only built for cuban linx]

by Mighty Healthy on Dec 12, 2010 3:35 AM EST up reply actions

Does it really matter?

Put the best OBP near the top, power through the middle and then your worst hitters at the back end. The exact order should just be about getting a L-R balance and player comfort.

Jason Heyward wins at baseball.

by bbxxj on Dec 12, 2010 9:16 AM EST via mobile reply actions

I can't believe this...

We all know what Bobby’s influence on Fredi is and how powerful it is. Chipper will be the one to bat third as always because we all love him and will always give him another chance. Besides, he usually does good after coming back from an injury. Uggla cleanup and McCann fifth. Heyward will be second and Prado will leadoff. Freeman will bat seventh behind Gonzalez and McLouth will be eighth.

Prado LF
Heyward RF
Jones 3B
Uggla 2B
McCann 1B
Gonzalez SS
Freeman 1B
McLouth CF

Every time, when I hear the national anthem, I say Atlanta between "home of the" and "brave". And I imagine those jets that fly over being painted in red, blue, and having a painting of the Tomahawk.

by ChopMaster on Dec 12, 2010 10:58 AM EST reply actions

A LOOGY will have a quick, easy time with that 7, 8, 9 spot since Diaz is gone.

Free Matt Young!

by bighop on Dec 12, 2010 11:41 AM EST up reply actions

I think most pitchers will have an easy time with that (Barring Freeman being a badass).

"Funny scene in clubhouse, reporters surrounding Prado, pointing recorders toward him. Moylan sneaks into group quietly, points Klondike bar." - DOB

by McCann and McWill on Dec 12, 2010 12:43 PM EST up reply actions

First base will be kinda crowded with McCann and Freeman standing over there

by crazk829 on Dec 13, 2010 6:00 PM EST up reply actions

I imagine there would also be quite a few passed balls too...

opponents may also try to steal home more often considering there is no catcher.

by Santaklose11 on Dec 13, 2010 9:25 PM EST up reply actions

Lineup when Huddy pitches....

Hudson SP
Prado LF
Heyward RF
Uggla 2B
Mcann C
Jones 3B
Freeman 1B
Sea Bass SS
CF TBD

by crack of the bat on Dec 12, 2010 11:35 AM EST reply actions

as a fan of the optimized lineup...

I have no problem with Chipper hitting third as long as his OBP is near his career average. Really the 2,4,5 spots are more vital to run production so so long as he’s getting on base some there is no reason to hurt his pride and hit him 5th.

Prado
Heyward
Chipper
Uggla/McCann
McCann/Uggla
Freeman
Gonzo
McLouth/CF we use if he fails
P

Switching Uggla and McCann depending on the pitcher. I put Gonzo 7 instead of 8 to break up the LHH and if McLouth gets back to form a bit you could switch him and Freeman, but I like McLouth 8 becuase it takes the pressure off and he can take a walk so you will have fewer instances of a P leading off an inning.

by MWhitexx on Dec 12, 2010 1:00 PM EST reply actions 3 recs

Very good

by Braves Biceps on Dec 12, 2010 1:22 PM EST up reply actions

Seconded

Great line up

by Santaklose11 on Dec 12, 2010 6:05 PM EST up reply actions

Set McCann at 4

I would keep McCann 4 and Uggla 5. That way the line-up reads RLSLRLRLP. This line-up never allows the opposing team to use a RP from one side effectively against more than one batter – except in the P/PH spot (and in that situation we can choose our PH relative to their pitcher). So, for example, if an opponent brings in a specialist RP against one side of the plate, he can only use that advantage against one person before he faces a hitter from the other side of the plate next.

Also McCann is slightly (but only just) more of a gap hitter than Uggla. This was originally my main thought, but upon review of their stats there was only slight evidence to suggest it.

Does this make sense or am I missing something?

by Santaklose11 on Dec 12, 2010 10:16 PM EST up reply actions

either way is really fine I just like the idea of shaking it up depending on the pitcher so that you don’t have LLL with McCann hitting 4.

by MWhitexx on Dec 13, 2010 4:56 PM EST up reply actions

Chipper Jones

by Braves24 on Dec 12, 2010 5:09 PM EST reply actions

Chipper

I think Chip needs to bat third. Prado demonstrated last season that he is a marvelous lead off hitter – and his speed is not that bad either. To move him over or drive him in, Heyward would be a great candidate to bat second (and his fantastic base-running would not be hindered by Prado). Once 1 or 2 are on, Chips OBP and hitting either moves the runners or drives them in. Chip would be running behind (and thus not impeding) Heyward and in front of the huskies BMac/Uggla. Further, this allows Heyward to see better pitches to hit.

This is my first post on TC (though I have been following for almost a year now)…

by Santaklose11 on Dec 12, 2010 6:04 PM EST reply actions

Welcome!

"That guy mvhsbball is really an insufferable schmuck." - FuquaManuel

by Scott Coleman on Dec 12, 2010 7:39 PM EST up reply actions

Thank you

I have followed most of the major Braves blogs for a while now (been a fan since birth and my grandfather was the Braves field doctor). TC is head and shoulders above the others.

DOB articles at the AJC are great but some of the fellow AJC followers/posters are slightly less than shining beacons of wisdom. Capital Avenue is alright and usually well reasoned but TC offers more perspectives and is faster on the draw. The posters here are actual fans that really follow the Braves and baseball.

by Santaklose11 on Dec 12, 2010 9:47 PM EST up reply actions

Braves field doctor? Like what Jeff Porter is now?

Both DOB and Bowman are great writers and they’re great on breaking news via Twitter, but yeah, 98% of the posters on their sites are either clueless or 11-years old. And as you said, I really enjoy CAC and they do some great work, but their commenting system is a mess.

Long live TC.

"That guy mvhsbball is really an insufferable schmuck." - FuquaManuel

by Scott Coleman on Dec 12, 2010 11:19 PM EST up reply actions

Dr. James Funk

No. I believe he was Head Team Physician and Lead Team Orthopedist during the late 70s and earlier 80s. Though at that time I am not sure they had two separate positions (am by no means certain of that). He was an orthopedic surgeon ( he was one of the founding Orthopedists of Peachtree Orthopedic). At one point he was the team orthopedist for the Braves, Falcons, and Hawks – though he worked the longest with the Falcons.

Although I am not a doctor I have met Dr. Royster (Chipper’s Orthopedist) on many occasions (in fact Dr. Royster was a close friend of my grandfather and he performed my knee surgery)

by Santaklose11 on Dec 12, 2010 11:43 PM EST reply actions

I tried to use Tom Tango's lineup optimization methods

and came up with this lineup:

Chipper
Prado
Uggla
Heyward
McCann
Freeman
McLouth
Gonzalez

But it will never happen

by Andy Braves Fan on Dec 13, 2010 10:51 AM EST reply actions

I hope not

S, R, R, L, L, L, L, R is too easy to sub pitchers against

Free Matt Young!

by bighop on Dec 13, 2010 11:20 AM EST up reply actions

true

that was just one way of doing it. Either way it won’t happen because Chipper will never agree to hit leadoff, though he is very well suited for it.

by Andy Braves Fan on Dec 13, 2010 11:51 AM EST up reply actions

Lineup

Chipper
Prado
McCann
Uggla
Heyward
Gonzalez/Freeman
Freeman/Gonzalez
McLouth

by crazk829 on Dec 13, 2010 6:06 PM EST reply actions

Prado
Heyward
Chipper
McCann
Uggla
Freeman
Gonzalez
McLouth

"Make the most of the Indian Hemp seed and sow it everywhere." - George Washington, 1794

Everything made from oil and wood can be made from HEMP. It's the earth's number one bio-mass resource.

by timmy3 on Dec 14, 2010 2:18 AM EST reply actions

Derek Lowe and Stephen Marek for Brett Gardner

Then it looks like:

Gardner
Prado
Heyward
Uggla
McCann
Chipper
Gonzalez
Freeman

"That's my teammate, man... That's my quarterback"

by TurnerTheBurner on Dec 16, 2010 4:03 PM EST reply actions

Or, if Chipper isn't ready to go right away (and that looks pretty likely)

Gardner CF
Prado 3B
Heyward RF
Uggla 2B
McCann C
McLouth LF
Gonzalez SS
Freeman 1B

"That's my teammate, man... That's my quarterback"

by TurnerTheBurner on Dec 16, 2010 4:05 PM EST reply actions

This is my Phillies lineup

Victorino CF
Polanco 3B
Utley 2B
Howard 1B
Ibanez LF
Rollins SS
Brown RF
Ruiz C

Honestly, I think our lineup is better than theirs now.
Ibanez and Rollins are definitely on the decline
Utley and Howard are coming off of down years
And Brown is a rookie

"That's my teammate, man... That's my quarterback"

by TurnerTheBurner on Dec 16, 2010 4:11 PM EST reply actions

Yeah, but... thier rotation...

Thanks Bobby!

by GouldisGold on Dec 18, 2010 3:55 PM EST up reply actions

Has no depth WHEN one of the top 4 go down

let alone if more than 1 misses extended time. The Phillies are going to be dominant when healthy. But a couple of injuries to the wrong players makes them fall far, fast.

http://sportsandgrits.blogspot.com/

by Mr. Sanchez on Dec 19, 2010 11:40 AM EST up reply actions