What should our lineup look like for the rest of April?

[MI2]

A few assumptions to lay out here:
1. Buxton will be at DH for the rest of April 
2. Polanco wont be in the lineup until May 
3. Gallo, Correa, and Kepler will be available

Here are my thoughts based on what we’ve seen thus far:

1. Kepler-RF
2. Buxton-DH
3. Correa-SS
4. Larnach-LF
5. Gallo-1B
6. Miranda-3B
7. Farmer/Gordon-2B
8. Vazquez/Jeffers-C
9. Taylor-CF 

A few considerations that are worth discussing:

1. Kepler: To me, if Kepler is getting at-bats, we should really consider playing him in CF (with Taylor available off the bench as a defensive replacement). I know we’re giving something up defensively, but a Larnach/Kepler/Wallner outfield could be worth trying out in April. 

2. Miranda: I do think he would benefit from moving down the order, because I see him trying to do a little too much at the plate. His BABIP hasn’t been bad, but why not protect the kid for a bit?  

[Richie the Rally Goat]

Kepler is currently on the Il not eligible to return until April 15. With a knee injury, it’s is TBD when he actually returns.

in the way too small sample size that is this season, Taylor’s god-awful 29 wRC+ is better than Max Kepler’s 28. I’m not in a rush to get Kepler back.

protect Miranda with who, exactly? Michael Taylor? You gotta fill out a lineup card.

 

[ashbury]

23 minutes ago, MI2 said:

 a Larnach/Kepler/Wallner outfield

"Nothing falls but raindrops, and the occasional double in the gap plus some Texas-leaguers." ™

[MI2]

1 minute ago, Richie the Rally Goat said:

Kepler is currently on the Il not eligible to return until April 15. With a knee injury, it’s is TBD when he actually returns.

in the way too small sample size that is this season, Taylor’s god-awful 29 wRC+ is better than Max Kepler’s 28. I’m not in a rush to get Kepler back.

protect Miranda with who, exactly? Michael Taylor? You gotta fill out a lineup card.

 

Forgot it was April 15th, for whatever reason I thought it was sooner. In that case, my lineup card would be something like: 

1. Buxton-DH
2. Correa-SS
3. Larnach-LF
4. Gallo-1B
5. Miranda-3B
6. Wallner-RF
7. Farmer/Gordon-2B
8. Vazquez/Jeffers-C
9. Taylor-CF 

[ashbury]

1 minute ago, MI2 said:

Forgot it was April 15th, for whatever reason I thought it was sooner. In that case, my lineup card would be something like: 

1. Buxton-DH
2. Correa-SS
3. Larnach-LF
4. Gallo-1B
5. Miranda-3B
6. Wallner-RF
7. Farmer/Gordon-2B
8. Vazquez/Jeffers-C
9. Taylor-CF 

Reasonable.  At 2B do you play the L/R matchup, or do you play Farmer there a bit more than the platoon would strictly suggest?

/ and before anyone pipes up, "yes".

[MABB1959]

Is Buxton ever going to play CF?   

[MI2]

1 minute ago, ashbury said:

Reasonable.  At 2B do you play the L/R matchup, or do you play Farmer there a bit more than the platoon would strictly suggest?

/ and before anyone pipes up, "yes".

Based on the early returns, I’d consider playing Farmer a bit more, with Gordon as a true super-utility guy. 

[LA Vikes Fan]

This lineup is a real challenge if Buxton is not going to play CF because that means that Taylor has to play or someone has to shift to center field. I am tempted to suggest putting Gordon in CF, but he isn't hitting much either and Taylor is much better with the glove (although Gordon is actually hitting the ball harder I think). If Polanco does not come back before May 1, I think you probably do have some leadoff either Buxton or Larnach. I am tempted to try Larnach. I think a lineup has to be something like this:

Larnach/Buxton

Correa

Buxton/Larnach

Miranda

Gallo

Solano

Farmer/Gordon

Valesquez/Jeffers

Taylor.

In this lineup, I have Gallo in right field, Gordon and Farmer platooning at second base, Solano at first base, with Buxton as the DH. If Gallo can't go, I think you move Gordon to left field, Larnach to right field, and Farmer plays every day at second base. If Gallo can't go, Solano moves to the five hole, Gordon six, and Farmer seven against right-handed pitching, reverse against left-handed pitching. I don't factor Kepler in much because he doesn't help your lineup unless he plays centerfield, which he has previously not wanted to do and is unlikely to do if he has a knee issue, and frankly he doesn't hit much better than Taylor either.

It's hardly a menacing lineup, but without Polanco and with Buxton only available to DH, I think that's the best you can do. At this point, we have to hope that Miranda, Gordon, and Correa can get jumpstarted to hit like they did in the second half of last year, that Solano will keep hitting, and that Farmer won't fall off a cliff against right-handed pitching. All possible, but other than Correa hitting, all a bit of a crapshoot.

 

 

 

[LA Vikes Fan]

11 minutes ago, MI2 said:

Based on the early returns, I’d consider playing Farmer a bit more, with Gordon as a true super-utility guy. 

Right now I think that's probably the right move. Unfortunately, until Gallo comes back Gordon has to play in the outfield or DH unless you want Willie Castro out there or you want to play both catchers with one of them manning the DH spot. Thank God we have a little better depth this year or we would already be seeing Jake Cave or Mark Contreras playing everyday. Solano and Farmer are an improvement, Willie Castro perhaps a little less so. Anybody raking a AAA that we really need to move up? Have to say that it sure doesn't look like it when you look at the St. Paul Saints' stats. Julien is hitting a little but 12 strikeouts in 29 at-bats a AAA does not bode well at the MLB level. Another injury and we may see more of Kyle Garlick and Ryan LaMarre then we ever wanted to see this year.

[Doctor Wu]

All of these injuries, and rehab stints, are shaking up the crystal ball. No idea what the lineup will look like a week from now. Will be interesting to see how  much they play Julien when he is called up. And are Correa's latest aches and pains anything to worry about?