Report from the Fort: Get Ready for Lots of Nick Gordon

MORE COWBELL!  (....and Nick Gordon is a valuable asset that I do not think has peaked yet)

I'm ready for more Gordon. Which means likely not against LHPs, more often against RHPs and less often when Kiriloff & Larnach are on the 26 man. If Kiriloff doesn't make the 26 man due to being held back, Gordon might make the LH bat choice at 1B if they they want to keep Gallo in the OF. Yet I'd prefer Gordon over Gallo in CF.

IF Gordon is actually the performer we saw in 2022...and I'm NOT saying he isn't considering his much better health now AND his previous MO of adapting at growing at each level...especially his 2nd half, I'd have him batting #1 against RHP pitching until someone better comes along.

It allows Correa, Polanco, and Buxton to hit in the 2-5 spots and be productive driving in runs, Gordon to help set the table, even if he's not conventional in the spot, and drive in a few runs himself. 

443 PA last year. The only way he gets more PA this year is if the “no other choice” scenario plays out in the outfield forcing him to play against left-handed pitching. I do believe he’s still developing as a hitter. So, might not be a terrible thing. But, in 2022 it was a terrible thing.

2 hours ago, Beast said:

Gallo has multiple gold gloves.  Someone posted a figure here not long ago showing he is one of the MLB leaders in DRS over the last handful of years.  He’s literally one of the best defensive outfielders in the game.

Gordon has shown to be terrible in the OF at times.  At his best, average.

Gordon is probably the 6th best CF on the team (Buxton, Taylor, Gallo, Lewis when healthy, Kepler).

Help me understand the reasoning behind preferring Gordon in CF over Gallo.

There's a hugh difference between CF to cOF. TOR 1B V. Guerrero won the GG, that doesn't mean he can be a good SS. Cave was a good cOF but he was a terrible CF. The last 3 yrs. Gallo has played 6 innings in CF where Gordon has played 244 innings, last year alone. While they both grade out at avg. in DRS & OAA at CF last year, Gallo is trending down while Gordon is trending up with only 2yrs. experience in CF ever.

Of course Buxton & Taylor are the best and should play the great majority of time in CF but if they both need a rest against some RHPs match ups, my choice is Gordon. And keep Gallo in the corners where he excels.

33 minutes ago, miracleb said:

Actually....I see Solano leading off against lefties now......which is still obviously a weakness.......

Here are Donnie Barrel's platoon splits vs leftys since he became a regular and broke out.

2019: .339 .382 .461 .843

2020: .350 .381 .483 .864

2021: .301. 344 .478 .822

2022: .301 .348 .422 .770. 

Not too shabby and a more traditional leadoff type hitter than, say, Buxton. Buxton is now more of a power hitter type that I would prefer further down the lineup. 

5 hours ago, wabene said:

Here are Donnie Barrel's platoon splits vs leftys since he became a regular and broke out.

2019: .339 .382 .461 .843

2020: .350 .381 .483 .864

2021: .301. 344 .478 .822

2022: .301 .348 .422 .770. 

Not too shabby and a more traditional leadoff type hitter than, say, Buxton. Buxton is now more of a power hitter type that I would prefer further down the lineup. 

Agree with the assessment on Solano vs Buxton for leading off against lefties. Just hoping we don’t see another 50-pt drop in the OPS in this, what will be his age-35, season. Also, I’m still confused about who we are sitting when we play Solano for a left-handed starter…I guess it would be our “left-handed first baseman”…whoever that is.