April 8, 200521 yr MIAMI -- Sliding down in the batting order may be a benefit for Marlins catcher Paul Lo Duca. No longer carrying the burden of having to be a power hitter batting third, Lo Duca is conveniently situated in the sixth slot of the Marlins' upgraded lineup. Hitting coach Bill Robinson believes that Lo Duca is ideally suited to bat either second, sixth or seventh. A contact hitter with decent, but not exceptional, power, in the season opener, Lo Duca resembled the player who was a two-time All-Star with the Dodgers. "We've talked extensively about what he needs to do: hit the ball to right field, hit the ball up the middle, hit-and-run," said Robinson. If things go as we have planned, he can be very productive. I want him to concentrate on putting the bat on the ball. His situational hitting, when he is in the groove, is as good as anybody's." The scrappy Lo Duca worked out a solid at-bat that ended in a key base hit off John Smoltz in the Marlins' 9-0 win on Tuesday. That hit loaded the bases, setting the stage for Juan Encarnacion's grand slam. A year ago, Lo Duca found himself having to fill a power role that really didn't fit his strengths. In 2003, the Marlins had won the World Series with catcher Ivan Rodriguez batting third. Manager Jack McKeon envisioned a similar role for Lo Duca after he joined the club. But Lo Duca chipped a bone in his hand shortly after the trade, and he finished his first year with the Marlins batting .258 with three home runs and 31 RBIs. Now, with sluggers Miguel Cabrera, Carlos Delgado and Mike Lowell batting third, fourth and fifth, respectively, Lo Duca takes on the role of a situational hitter who can belt about 15 homers while driving in around 80 runs. "He's like Pudge," said McKeon. "Pudge isn't a 25-home run guy. Maybe he was back in his early American League days, but he's a 15-home run guy who puts the ball in play. When he does try to hit the ball out, he strikes out or pops up. I like him down [in sixth]." Robinson detected last year that when Lo Duca was with the power hitters in batting practice, he got caught up in trying to hit the ball as far as he could. So this year, Robinson moved the catcher from the power-hitting Group 3 to Group 2, which includes Juan Pierre, Luis Castillo, Alex Gonzalez and Cabrera. "I like to have guys hit according to their power," said Robinson. "He's in there with Juan Pierre, because he hits the ball to right field. He has occasional pop. Miguel Cabrera likes to hit in with that group. "I thought that when he was with Mike Lowell, Delgado and the big power guys, he kind of got out of his bag, especially the end of the year, swinging at pitches over his head. He is not a bona fide home run hitter. But he can drive in 80 to 90 runs by hitting doubles and occasionally booming a home run." http://florida.marlins.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/...t=.jsp&c_id=fla
April 8, 200521 yr Like I told Oreo tonight, I think Lo Duca should be hitting in the 2nd position and Louie should be hitting in the 6.
April 8, 200521 yr Author Like I told Oreo tonight, I think Lo Duca should be hitting in the 2nd position and Louie should be hitting in the 6. 733752[/snapback] I agree, and if I remember correctly Lo Duca did very well batting second last year.
April 8, 200521 yr The problem with Louie in the 2 is that if JP reaches on a single or walk late in the game, and the Marlins are down by 2 or 3, Louie is up there basically just trying not to hit into a DP. Maybe bunt JP over or something like that. Can't just try and slap it, because then it would just be base to base playing and that is hard to do. Lo Duca in that spot would be able to put a power threat there, or be able to hit a gap or a homer.
April 8, 200521 yr The problem with Louie in the 2 is that if JP reaches on a single or walk late in the game, and the Marlins are down by 2 or 3, Louie is up there basically just trying not to hit into a DP. Maybe bunt JP over or something like that. Can't just try and slap it, because then it would just be base to base playing and that is hard to do. Lo Duca in that spot would be able to put a power threat there, or be able to hit a gap or a homer. 733774[/snapback] Or hit into a double play anytime he hits the ball on the ground to an infielder. At least with Luis you know if he slaps a grounder at someone most likely he won't get doubled up.
April 8, 200521 yr I like LoDuca ALOT. I can't see why some of ya'll don't like him. He's one of the best offense catchers in the NL. He has clubhouse leadership and calls a good game.
April 8, 200521 yr Like I told Oreo tonight, I think Lo Duca should be hitting in the 2nd position and Louie should be hitting in the 6. 733752[/snapback] Interesting proposition. Jack surely is not one to stary from toying with the order.
April 8, 200521 yr I like LoDuca ALOT. I can't see why some of ya'll don't like him. He's one of the best offense catchers in the NL. He has clubhouse leadership and calls a good game. 733816[/snapback] excellent post. oh i love loduca. haters can rot.
April 8, 200521 yr I don't understand the haters either. . . . I guess some exoteric stat may be yelling that LoDuca sucks. oh well. I'm on the dumb fan category that likes a player based on day to day game play observation.
April 8, 200521 yr Against atlanta the other day, castillo was facing a 3-1 count from the left side. He wasnt going to hit intoa game ending homer, or a long double that would put him in scoring position. LoDuca at second also helps b/c hes a contact hitter, so we cna utilize the hit and run when pierre is on base. And if he does hit poorly we may be able to at least move the runner up. In the 6 hole he is more prone to hitting inro double plays. Another player, Craig biggio was also famous for hitting into many double plays, but whenever he batted higher in the order the problem was reduced.
April 8, 200521 yr Id rather see Sea Bass in the 2 hole over Lo Duca 733899[/snapback] Why? He strikes out way too many times. Maybe if he learned some plate discipline.
April 8, 200521 yr Id rather see Sea Bass in the 2 hole over Lo Duca 733899[/snapback] Why? He strikes out way too many times. Maybe if he learned some plate discipline. 733900[/snapback] He gets nothing to hit in the 8 hole. If he was in the 2 hole they have to throw him strikes, he would actually have some kind of protection.
April 8, 200521 yr Id rather see Sea Bass in the 2 hole over Lo Duca 733899[/snapback] Why do you want the guy with the worst contact on the team batting second? Not only worst contact, but last year he had the worst average, OBP, and second worst OPS of all our starters. Keep gonzo 8th.
April 8, 200521 yr Bass can't hit because the hitters behind him can't hit. Poor guy has no protection.
April 8, 200521 yr Bass can't hit because the hitters behind him can't hit. Poor guy has no protection. 733910[/snapback] Remember when bass used to hit second, and they had to move him down b/c of how poorly he was playing. you cant blame his bad play on his spot in the order. So maybe he would get on base a few more times, but it wont make a significant difference. If it would they'd move him out of there.
April 8, 200521 yr Bass can't hit because the hitters behind him can't hit. Poor guy has no protection. 733910[/snapback] its pretty amazing some of the numbers he puts up back there
April 8, 200521 yr Still, he'd be a better hitter away from #8. Why not bat Luiy 8th so you have someone that can hit anything in that position? Or someone with alot more patience? Eight isn't suited for a free swinger who can mash like Alex.
April 8, 200521 yr Id rather see Sea Bass in the 2 hole over Lo Duca 733899[/snapback] Haha huge mistake. You don't want a guy who never walks and always K's batting 2nd.
April 8, 200521 yr Id rather see Sea Bass in the 2 hole over Lo Duca 733899[/snapback] Haha huge mistake. You don't want a guy who never walks and always K's batting 2nd. 733928[/snapback] meh, I think he would do quite well there
April 8, 200521 yr you have to have a much different mentality to hit in the 2 hole. remember most of the time the pitcher is behind you. if we had that stupid DH rule, Bass would be a .270 hitter at worst. I said it.
April 8, 200521 yr Id rather see Sea Bass in the 2 hole over Lo Duca 733899[/snapback] Haha huge mistake. You don't want a guy who never walks and always K's batting 2nd. 733928[/snapback] meh, I think he would do quite well there 733931[/snapback] In addition, Gonzo is a pretty good bunter. A very important quality for a 2nd hole hitter.
April 8, 200521 yr Like I told Oreo tonight, I think Lo Duca should be hitting in the 2nd position and Louie should be hitting in the 6. 733752[/snapback] JP might be better out of the sixth/seventh/eighth spot until he regains his speed. Even then some speed of the fast good baserunning kind towards the bottom of the order would be nice.
April 8, 200521 yr I like LoDuca ALOT. I can't see why some of ya'll don't like him. He's one of the best offense catchers in the NL. He has clubhouse leadership and calls a good game. 733816[/snapback] He's most of that. The problem I have with his acquisition was the timing. He had a terrible second-half reputation and proved it during our attempted playoff run last year. He was also due a big raise despite his declining performances. We ended up being the ones who opted to pay it. Hopefully these trends will reverse and he'll be a very productive member of the club for the next four years.
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