Where do you bat Heywood in the order?

[quick]

Give your analysis of where you bat Heyward in the order and why. This thread may morph as we go through the spring and see more of him playing against big-league pitching.

[Walla]

I would bat him 6th. Right behind Glaus and McCann, right before Escobar and Diaz.

[Wahoo]

That's easy in a position where he's got the best chance to succeed and again some early confidence, which in my opinion is in the 2 hole, right in front of Chipper. Should see a nice variety of fastballs, which should help him build confidence and find a comfort zone.

[Andy G.]

... Plus, what Bobby will likely do is bat Heyward in the 7th slot once the season begins.

McLouth
Prado
Chipper
Glaus
McCann
Escobar
Heyward
Diaz

You know...because Bobby will want to break up the lefties and the righties in the order.
Replace Diaz with Melky and this is exactly what Bobby went with in tonight's game which just started about ten minutes ago.

[bravos4evr]

One good thing about hitting Heyward 7th is any LH pitcher is gonna throw him something to hit cuz he damn sure won't wanna pitch to Diaz with a guy on base!

[KB 34]

Where I'd bat Heyward depends how his development proceeds throughout the spring. Here's the basic outline for the lineup that's not really negotiable.
1. McLouth
2. Prado or Escobar
3. Chipper
4. Glaus
5. McCann

Ideally Heyward's ready to shine and he bats 6th, which means Escobar bats 2nd with whoever in LF batting 7th and Prado 8th. I probably don't bat Heyward 8th since I'd be concerned about pitchers avoiding him and pitching to the pitcher. In that case Heyward bats 7th, Prado 2nd, Escobar 6th, and LF 8th. That would be the most realistic scenario to me.

[jamminHANES]

He'll start off batting 7th but get time at 2nd and hopefuly 3rd throughout the season. When Chipper misses his games I would like to see Heyward get some at bats there.

[bravos4evr]

Honestly, realistically, I see this lineup as the first 2 months:\

Mclouth
Prado
Chip
Glaus
McCann
Escobar
Heyward
Diaz

What do I see the lineup becoming after a 2 months or so?

Mclouth
Escobar
Chip
Glaus
McCann
Diaz
Heyward
Prado



I know I know, only Prado and Diaz and Escobar changed... But , I really see that as bein what we are gonna get ( not counting any games Chipper or Glaus Misses)


What would I do?


Mclouth
Prado
Chipper
Glaus
Heyward
Escobar
McCann
Diaz


Critique me all you want about McCann,(and my righty lefty matchups) but I see that McCann hitting lower in the order as a really really good thang for the team! heyward is a beast hitting 5th behind Chip and Glaus, and McCann hitting 7th is obscene!!!!!!!!It mixes up the lineup (IMO) to a level where...... there's nobody to pitch around!

[Dreamscape]

But you are decreasing the potential at-bats for one of your best hitters. That's never good strategy in my book. I prefer dropping Prado to any alternative that means dropping McCann. I'll contend that it's probably best to keep Glaus in front of McCann, but I do think McCann needs to be in that top five at the very least.

[HaRdCoReBrAvEsFaN]

2nd and 3rd(when Chipper's out)

What we'll probally see....He'll hit 7 when the regular 8 are out there....When Chipper's out he'll hit 3rd, When McCann's out he'll hit 5th, He'll hit 2nd from time to time....When Escobar's out he'll hit 6th esp if it's a RHP, and he might even get in a few games at cleanup over the course of the season...So he'll get plenty of chances to show where he best fits in the lineup...

[Agent-X-]

But you are decreasing the potential at-bats for one of your best hitters. That's never good strategy in my book. I prefer dropping Prado to any alternative that means dropping McCann. I'll contend that it's probably best to keep Glaus in front of McCann, but I do think McCann needs to be in that top five at the very least.

I think you're the only one who has hit on something that I would be willing to bet even Cox will see. You want to give your better hitters more at bats.

Once in a great blue moon, Cox showed that he is willing to place a great rookie hitter in the top half of the lineup. Cox will find room for Heyward near the top of the order.

Likewise, it is a mortal sin to not hit Escobar at the top of the order. What will it take to move McLouth down in the order? Do you see Derek Jeter hitting 7th for the Yankees? Likewise, it is not kosher to hit one so adept at sparking the offense so low in the order. What kind of reward is that for such lethal consistency?

For shame.