Platoons and Platoon Splits

[stringer bell]

Via espn, here are the Twins platoon splits to date:

http://espn.go.com/mlb/team/stats/batting/_/name/min/cat/OPS/split/32/minnesota-twins

http://espn.go.com/mlb/team/stats/batting/_/name/min/cat/OPS/split/31/minnesota-twins

I have seen it mentioned in the various threads speculating on Gardy's future that Gardenhire doesn't platoon.  I would submit that given the roster he has had the last couple years, there aren't many opportunities to platoon.  Here are five talking points for discussion of platoon splits and platoons.

 

1)  Remember, in a strict platoon, the right handed hitter would only start somewhere between one-fourth and one-third of the time, meaning somewhere between 40 and 55 starts in a season.

 

2)  Two regulars who had big platoon splits last year--Dozier and Plouffe--have closed their splits considerably.

 

3)  Switch hitters are supposed to have an advantage, but three of the four switch hitters on the Twins have large platoon splits. 

 

4)  If you were the Twins' manager, who specifically would you platoon?  I don't think there is a good case for a single platoon given the current roster.

 

5)  Reverse splits (some SSS).  Three players--Pinto, Nunez, and Parmelee--have reverse splits.  They have all hit considerably better against same-handed pitchers than opposite-handed hurlers.     

[Kirby_waved_at_me]

Yeah, not much to platoon on the roster as it is. Maybe Escobar and Santana could platoon at SS - Escobar starts at SS vs. lefites, with Santana playing in CF on those days.

 

Pinto looks a little like he should sit against Lefties. Suzuki is the de facto starter anyway, but maybe his days off should line up when there is a RHP starting..

 

vs. lefty lineup

C - Suzuki

1B - Mauer (Parmelee in a small sample has hit ok - when they give Mauer a day, play Parm?)

2B - Dozier

3B - Plouffe

SS - Escobar

LF - Hicks

CF - Santana

RF - Arcia

DH - Vargas

 

vs. Righties

C - Pinto

1B - Mauer

2B - Dozier

3B - Plouffe

SS - Santana

LF - Schafer

CF - Hicks

RF - Arcia

DH - Vargas

 

All the more reason to go after a good LF - let Schafer and/or Hicks come off the bench instead of starting.

[nicksaviking]

Clearly platooning Schafer and Fuld is the right move, let's get to that ASAP.

 

Anyone notice Parmelee's splits?  They're backwards, he's hitting lefties much better.  He hit them better in 2012 also.  Interesting.

[stringer bell]

I think you have regulars and bench players.  The idea would be to get sufficient playing time for the bench players and rest for the regulars by choosing the right times to play the bench guys and when to rest the regulars.  It is obvious that Arcia and Mauer should be rested against LH pitching and that it might be wise to play Schafer only against RH pitching, if possible. 

[The Wise One]

I haven't looked at the recent nubers but historically the argument looked to me to be which mediocre player should be out there. I would rather they find a different player. In general I think the Twins try to find complete players rather than go for a platoon situation. I am sure someone out there can think of someone they should have kept. As there are more RH pitchers out there a RH batter only is a luxury, like a third catcher is.

Players like Arcia need all the AB they can get to develop. There will come a point that a player should be platooned, but I don't think early in their career should be it.