Soriano

[Kid]

<!--quoteo(post=25339:date=Mar 27 2009, 08:52 AM:name=ruby23)-->QUOTE (ruby23 @ Mar 27 2009, 08:52 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=25321:date=Mar 26 2009, 11:58 PM:name=KBwsb)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (KBwsb @ Mar 26 2009, 11:58 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->As if we needed further evidence that batting Alf at leadoff is an asinine idea:

<!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE <!--quotec--><b>How often does a leadoff man
come up with no one on base?</b>

How often does a leadoff man come up with no one on base? 67% of the time. Or conversely, 33% of the time with at least one man on base. Overall, MLB hitters come up with at least one man on base about 45% of the time. Here's the breakdown by lineup position:

Left column: Batting Order Slot
Right column: Percentage of Time At Least One Man on Base
1- 33%
2- 43
3- 48
4- 50
5- 48
6- 46
7- 46
8- 46
9- 45<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

The article goes on to say that Hanley Ramirez came up to bat 400 times last year with the bases empty. Pretty poor use of a power hitter, eh?
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Those percentages are also skewed, the Cubs get alot more production out of 7, 8, 9 than most other teams. I'd be shocked if the Cubs leadoff hitter didn't come to bat with someone on base at a clip of 40% or higher.
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39.6% of Soriano's total plate appearances last year (199/503) came with runners on base.