Why not leadoff Iwamura ?

[deerayfan072]

I think that'd be a good idea, how's Imawura's speed exactly? If he's speedy enough to steal some bases and wreak havoc, I like him at the top and Upton is a perfect 2 hitter with a good balance of pop, contact, and speed... man, if Tampa just had a power hitter (not Ty Wiggington ), they would be scary good on offense...

He has some speed, but not a ton of it. The point is though, that he is so good with OBP that it is worth it to lead him off, despite his medium speed.

His ability to take pitches, make contact, hit when down in the count and ability to draw a walk make for a great second hitter. He has the ability to take pitches and allow BJ to run on the bases, his contact makes it able to move BJ also.

[chipper]

Well whaddaya know?

Iwamura leading off today....against a lefty none the less.


Their lineup vs a RHP would look even better with Iwamura leading off.

[roninmedia]

He was batting .524 against lefties coming into tonight's game.

[deerayfan072]

He was batting .524 against lefties coming into tonight's game.

hes not bad

[chipper]

I mean, perfect leadoff guy, right?

[deerayfan072]

I mean, perfect leadoff guy, right?

i still think he is a perfect 2 batter, but he is a great leadoff man as well.

[chipper]

I mean, perfect leadoff guy, right?

i still think he is a perfect 2 batter, but he is a great leadoff man as well.

Yeah I hear ya, especially being a lefty.

I just don't see anyone else on the Rays being a better option at the top. Also not sure they'd want letfty's back to back with him and Crawford.

Maybe they should put Crawford back to 1, Iwamura 2, Upton 3, Pena/Norton 4, Young 5

[deerayfan072]

I mean, perfect leadoff guy, right?

i still think he is a perfect 2 batter, but he is a great leadoff man as well.

Yeah I hear ya, especially being a lefty.

I just don't see anyone else on the Rays being a better option at the top. Also not sure they'd want letfty's back to back with him and Crawford.

Maybe they should put Crawford back to 1, Iwamura 2, Upton 3, Pena/Norton 4, Young 5

Yea i hear the lefty lefty thing, but i would like to see BJ, Aki, CC

Bj is better on the base and can steal more and Aki will take pitches and is patient so BJ can steal.

[livinginarizona]

Yahoo:

Jun 2 Tampa Bay Devil Rays 3B Akinori Iwamura went 2-for-4, Saturday, June 2, against the Kansas City Royals, as the leadoff hitter. It was the first time this season he had batted in the leadoff spot, according to the Associated Press, and manager Joe Maddon said he may hit there full-time.

Interesting. I think they should also try him hitting second, but he has more fantasy value to me hitting leadoff.

[raiders_umpire]

Yahoo:

Jun 2 Tampa Bay Devil Rays 3B Akinori Iwamura went 2-for-4, Saturday, June 2, against the Kansas City Royals, as the leadoff hitter. It was the first time this season he had batted in the leadoff spot, according to the Associated Press, and manager Joe Maddon said he may hit there full-time.

Interesting. I think they should also try him hitting second, but he has more fantasy value to me hitting leadoff.

Maddon says lots of things, lots of times. I would still prefer Upton, Aki, CC as the top 3, but I guess I can live with Aki, BJ, and CC as the top 3.