Aaron Hicks and The Batting Order

[RJM96]

Aaron Hicks is finally looking like he could turn out to be the player that he was supposed to be. He has the OBP of a top of the order talent, but he also has great power potential. I could see him hitting 20-25 homeruns eventually. Where do you guys envision him long term? Assuming Buxton is hitting leadoff, I could see him sliding into the two spot and moving Dozier to third.

[DaveW]

Buxton

Mauer

Sano

Dozier

Kepler

Hicks

Rosario

polanco

Wieters

[SwainZag]

 

Aaron Hicks is finally looking like he could turn out to be the player that he was supposed to be. He has the OBP of a top of the order talent, but he also has great power potential. I could see him hitting 20-25 homeruns eventually. Where do u guys envision him long term? Assuming Buxton is hitting leadoff, I could see him sliding into the two spot and moving Dozier to third.

 

If there is a time where he starts hitting 25 HR per year, sure maybe take a look at it, but with his decent OBP, he would fill the 1-2 spot in the order just fine.  I also in the camp that Buxton in time will turn into a 3 hitter.

[Cap'n Piranha]

Buxton

Hicks

Sano

Dozier

Rosario

Arcia/Kepler

Mauer

Suzuki/catcher we trade for

Escobar

 

HIcks will take pitches, giving Buxton a chance to steal.  Sano will take pitches, giving Hicks/Buxton a chance to steal--Hicks/Buxton being on base will give Sano/Dozier more fastballs.  Arcia gets 3 months at DH to show he can hack it, otherwise Kepler gets his job.

[RJM96]

If there is a time where he starts hitting 25 HR per year, sure maybe take a look at it, but with his decent OBP, he would fill the 1-2 spot in the order just fine. I also in the camp that Buxton in time will turn into a 3 hitter.

How soon can we expect Buxton to be hitting third? Three years? Five? Eight? Who is more likely to take his spot? Aaron Hicks, or Nick Gordon?

[bluechipper]

 

How soon can we expect Buxton to be hitting third? Three years? Five? Eight? Who is more likely to take his spot? Aaron Hicks, or Nick Gordon?

I think Buxton will spend most of his career batting leadoff or maybe second. You want to get his speed on as many times as possible. If he develops more power, then maybe you move him down to the 2 or 3 spot.

[sane]

 

"Arcia gets 3 months at DH to show he can hack"

 

He can hack!

[diehardtwinsfan]

The way Hicks is hitting right now, he's top of the order.  Long term (if he keeps hitting), I'd be looking at some form of Buxton, Mauer, Hicks and drop Sano to 4th.  That's a lot of high OBP in front of Sano, Dozier and Arcia/Vargas.  

[Oxtung]

Hicks has a .310 OBP against right handed pitching. He should not be near the top of the order most games. Now against lefties...... Swing away Mr. Hick, swing away.

[HitInAPinch]

I believe Hicks is capable of hitting a solid .285-.295 with 20 HR's 30+ doubles and around 20 SB.

I hear all the people saying he's not hitting well against righties.  It's his 1st successful season in the majors.  Sheezzzz....

 

Using only players within the organization right now, my lineup would be:

 

Buxton           [ he's gotta hit to get the gig ]
Rosario          [ could easily swap Escobar in here ]
Hicks
Vargas/Arcia  [ whomever, will need lineup protection ]
Sano              [ the protection.  he's got the patients for the job ]
Mauer            [ a sometime clutch hitter ]
Dozier            [ Hacker !!  ]
Escobar
Suzuki            [ this or someone for the MiLB ]

[spinowner]

During the last offseason I hoped the 2016 lineup would be:

Buxton 8

Santana 6

Sano 5

Vargas DH

Arcia 7

Pinto 2

Mauer 3

Dozier 4

Hicks 9

I still think Vargas, Arcia and Santana can achieve major league form. I'm doubtful about Pinto, which is truly unfortunate for him. So now I'd make a couple tweaks, reiterating that this is what I hope for, not necessarily what I'm predicting:

Buxton 8

Hicks 9

Sano 5

Vargas  DH

Arcia or Rosario 7

Dozier 4

Mauer 3

(Catcher, even if it's Suzuki) 2

Santana 6

One factor I had in mind with this lineup is trying to alternate right handed batters with lefties or switch hitters.

[Charliemurphy]

My lineup for 2016 has one very distinctive change than other ones I see posted but I think it bears at least a small amount of consideration

 

Hicks 9

Dozier 4

Rosario 7

Sano 5

Arcia or Vargas  DH

Plouffe 6

Mauer 3

(Catcher, even if it's Suzuki) 2

Buxton 8

 

Yes I realize that Plouffe struggled mightily at SS when he was younger. He also has improved greatly at 3B and really wants to stay with the Twins organization. Unless you can get a GOOD SP in return for him or a couple high level Minor Leaguers I think SS is in play here. He is a proven big league hitter. His range is never going to be great and yes I realize you would have a left side of the infield consisting of him and Sano but is his bat in the lineup enough to offset the lack of offense. Keep in mind we are running Eduardo #1 and #2 out there right now, Santana is a question mark and Polanco commits a LOT of errors and is really better suited at 2nd than short in my opinion.