March 14, 2009
Team Offense, Colorado Rockies
Brad Hawpe
Photo: Icon SMI
The series on team offense continues with the Colorado Rockies. I plug the probable lineup from CBSSportsLine into the Lineup Analysis Tool, and fill in the numbers with Marcel the Monkey projections. For pitchers, I used the Rockies 2008 numbers. The results:
- Best lineup: 5.01 runs per game
- Probable lineup: 4.78 runs per game
- Worst lineup: 4.38 runs per game
- Regressed lineup: 4.52 runs per game
The Rockies scored 4.61 runs per game in 2008.
The Rockies project to be a team that does a great job of getting on base. Of the eight position players, only Clint Barmes to have an OBA below .350. If Atkins and Helton stay healthy, I wonder if the Rockies will play Ian Stewart more at second base? That would give them eight hitters all way above the NL average in OBA.
I agree with the Lineup Analysis Tool that Hawpe and Ianetta should be batting higher. If Brad comes anywhere near that OBA, the Rockies are losing a lot of times on base batting him fifth. I'd simply move Brad to fourth and Chris to fifth and let Atkins clean them up with his power.
Barmes or not at second base, the Rockies should put a ton of runners on. The smallest amount of luck with runners in scoring position is going to lead to a big scoring year for Colorado.
Other teams in this series:
Please donate to the Baseball Musings Pledge Drive.
Buy Rockies opening day tickets (hosting the world champion Phillies).
