Quote:
Originally Posted by CaramonLS
Reed rides the pine because he has been pretty awful since coming back - spelling off guys in the OF occasionally (and plays everyday vs. lefties). Wells has had uncanny success leading off for some reason (perhaps focusing on getting on base more?), so I'd put him there until he proves otherwise.
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Well you make a good point in that the Blue Jays lack a real leadoff hitter type of guy. Johnson is the best player they have to play that role, but he does struggle too much at the plate playing every day against right handed pitching.
I think Wells is a guy who has hit far better in the lead off spot than he did in other parts of the lineup. Really the guy has good speed and can beat out more infield hits than anyone else in the lineup. When he's leading off it I think he will take a few more pitches and will lay off those high fast balls that he always pops up to the infield. Plus once he gets on base he is a guy you can start as a runner and who can score from first on a doulbe or go first to third on a base hit. By no means is he ideal...but he's likley the best option they have. So yeah if you could run out a lineup like
Wells
Overbay
Rios
Thomas
Stairs
Glaus
Hill
Zaun
McDonald/Olmedo
At least you can set it up so that you don't go more than two right handed hitters in a row before a lefty comes up.