Kansas City Royals: Rotation Continues To Struggle
By Paul York
Kansas City Royals left fielder Alex Gordon (4) – Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
The Lineup
I get it. It’s working, so why mess with it? Ned Yost won’t alter it anytime soon, and I’m not bagging on him for it, but that doesn’t mean alterations shouldn’t be made.
Between the two, we know Gordon possesses more pop, and is more of an impact bat.Given that information, wouldn’t you want Gordon to have more at-bats than Alcides Escobar?
Really, its a simple adjustment that could pay a lot of dividends. Before we get to that, a couple questions to help illustrate my point.
1. Game on the line, who would you rather have hitting– Alex Gordon or Alcides Escobar? The correct answer is Alex Gordon.
2. At lead-off, would you rather have a high on-base percentage hitter, or a slappy low on-base percentage hitter? The correct answer is Alex Gordon.
As it stands right now, Alex Gordon’s on-base percentage is .415 (to go along with a .290 batting average), and is routinely batting SIXTH in the order.
The Royals’ current lead-off hitter, Alcides Escobar, has an on-base percentage of .345, which is a career high for him considering he’s usually just a tick over .300. That .345 OBP is largely driven by his current .305 batting average (which would also be a career high if maintained). Escobar, in his five years as a Royal, has been a .268 hitter.
Gordon has gotten on base via walk or hit by pitch 23 times so far this year.
Escobar has gotten on base via walk or hit by pitch seven times so far this year.
Between the two, we know Gordon possesses more pop, and is more of an impact bat.Given that information, wouldn’t you want Gordon to have more at-bats than Alcides Escobar? I know I would.
Next: Paul's Lineup Suggestion