What's the over/under for how many intentional walks Cliff is going to get this season?

For the season, the Ags have received 5 intentional walks with Cliff receiving 4 of those. Cliff has 19 total walks for the year.

I noticed that in both the Saturday and Sunday Tech games in late-inning situations, Larry Hays did not hesitate to give a free pass to Cliff (BA .388). I suspect the first line on the A&M scouting report is "don't let Pennington beat you in late game situations."

Cliff leads the team in home runs, RBI, slugging %, total bases, etc...,

This brings up an interesting strategy question for the lineup. Should the 2nd best hitter (Ryan Hill BA .391) on the team bat in the #2 spot to protect Pennington? And let Parker (BA .287) hit third?

No doubt that this is unconventional, but it would be driven by the fact that Cliff is an unconventional leadoff hitter (power & average), and the best hitter on the team.

A good counterpoint to this argument is that the opposing manager would walk Cliff anyway, even if Hill is coming up next. Also the typical 1st inning baseball strategy of the #2 hitter bunting the leadoff hitter over to second would be foiled.

Food for thought.

W

I agree and see your conundrum. My solution, however, would be to let someone else hit lead-off and move Pennington to the 3 hole.

What about putting one of the other really fast guys at lead-off, assuming they begin to produce. Perhaps Milkshake is finding his stroke this past weekend, or maybe Infante ro someone else would step up if moved up. Then Cliff could hit second, where he would be a natural: still some speed, more power than a leadoff, and huge RBI potential.

I agree with Ag From Arkansas. The only problem is that no one has consistently shown that they can get on base and set the table. That's why this is a tough situation.

Penny has definately done his share to carry the load thus far.

I think I'd move Hill up, that's a good move. Especially in a format with a DH, I don't mind having my best hitters loaded up at the top of the order.

I like Pennington batting leadoff, similar to Chad Alexander being our leadoff in 1995 and John Curl being cleanup hitter.

Granted that team was loaded with bats, but those two were the best two hitters, and Alexander was an amazing leadoff hitter.

Wow! Are the coaches reading texags? Cliff is batting 3rd tonight and Hill 4th!

Quienes tu papa?

And it paid big dividends. Good move by MJ playing Bartek, Baldwin and Carpender.

Full Speed Ahead - Fire At Will - Gig'em