Let's get started!
Again, a few notes:
1. These statistics only include those in the position (i.e. Ruben Tejada's at bats in the 8-hole are not included in his leadoff statistics)
2. I have again omitted including pitchers, as their offense is largely sporadic and highly unpredictable.
3. These statistics are as of 6/14.
(Click the position for a larger version of the statistics graphics)
FIRST:
SECOND:
THIRD:
FOURTH:
FIFTH:
SIXTH:
SEVENTH:
EIGHTH:
NINTH:
A few things to note this year:
- The Mets are getting excellent production out of their leadoff batters. Andres Torres weighs down the batting average, but his 19/15 BB/K ratio really has compensated for it. Kirk Nieuwenhuis and Ruben Tejada put up very similar numbers, Kirk swinging for a bit more power and Ruben getting on base better. The Mets seem to have two bonafide leadoff hitters; I would prefer Nieuwenhuis stay in the spot when Tejada returns, as Tejada has shown an adeptness in the 8th spot. If Ike Davis continues to struggle, however, Kirk could find his bat in the middle of the order in an attempt to plug the gaping 5-hole.
- Continuing with the leadoff point, they have scored 47 runs on 70 hits, with 5 home runs and 27 RBI. Jose Reyes has 30 runs scored on 72 hits, with 2 home runs and 16 RBI in Miami this year, in an almost identical sample size (299 PA's vs. 294). Maybe this argument is more fit for arguing that Reyes was not an ideal leadoff hitter. Maybe all those stolen bases weren't super important. The Mets' pace of 119 runs scored, 13 home runs, and 68 RBI are all better than Reyes' averages, and any of those numbers would be a top-3 total for him.
- Daniel Murphy has been so much better batting second (.319/.387/.404) than fifth (.283/.321/.368), in nearly identical samples. It's not even close. My completely uneducated guess is that batting fifth caused a shift in his strategy at the plate. His walk-rate plummeted, leading me to believe that he was trying to force himself to put more balls into play. Murph had found himself an excellent groove, moving others over and setting a clean table for David Wright and the middle of the order. When he got moved, he was expected to produce runs. While he certainly did a fine job, it plays against his strengths. Daniel won't hit many home runs, but I would say he might have the best eye at the plate on this team, save maybe David Wright.
- David Wright can hit third. No one else. Daniel Murphy can hit there when Wright as games off (sliding Tejada into the two-hole), but that's it. Wright's 52 starts here are, by far, the most any player has had in a particular lineup slot, behind Duda's 31 in the cleanup spot.
- The middle of the order has struggled mightily, but somehow look to combine for 66 home runs and over 300 RBI. Batters hitting fifth have slugged a collective .378, the second worst of any spot in the order, behind the eight spot. The struggles of Ike Davis and Jason Bay, and the injuries to Ruben Tejada have taken their toll here. A productive Davis would allow Duda to bat sixth, where he's hit .288/.345/.596 this year, with 5 home runs and 10 RBI in only 52 at bats. With a healthy Ruben Tejada, the Mets could slot Scott Hairston or Kirk Nieuwenhuis fifth depending on the matchup.
- 15(!) different hitters have been written into the 7th spot in the order this year. Josh Thole has performed the best, with a .351/.415/.432 line in 11 starts here. Aside from stabilizing the catcher position, Thole's healthy return lengthens the lineup.
- In 119 plate appearances, non-pitchers have hit an astounding .299/.361/.514 in the ninth spot. They have gotten excellent production out of their pinch hitters.
Based strictly on this data, my 'ideal' lineup would be:
Kirk Nieuwenhuis, CF
Daniel Murphy, 2B
David Wright, 3B
Scott Hairston, LF
Ike Davis, 1B
Lucas Duda, DH
Josh Thole, C
Ruben Tejada, SS
Mike Baxter, RF
Which is largely similar to what the Mets are running out right now, swapping Mike Baxter out for the pitcher and Ruben Tejada for Omar Quintanilla.
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