From Baggs --
Bochy needs a leadoff hitter with Torres out. Miguel Tejada, today’s No.1 guy, isn’t really an option against right-handers. Mike Fontenot didn’t work out so well yesterday. Bochy said Aaron Rowand is an option. But what about Belt?
“I could, yeah,” Bochy said, with a you’re-on-to-something tone of voice. “If we get a pitching matchup we like. He does run pretty good, too. I don’t think something like that would affect him at all.”
In order, here's what a leadoff hitter needs:
1. High OBP -- this is absolutely essential.
2. High P/PA -- needs to see a good amount of pitches.
3. Decent speed -- leadoff hitter will be scoring a lot of runs, ideally, so he should be able to run the bases well.
Brandon Belt fits all the criteria. Sure, he's not the "prototypical" leadoff guy. But the prototypical leadoff guy is stupid. What good is "blazing speed" if you can't get on base?
I hope Bochy pursues this. It would be an intelligent move, in spite of Belt's struggles (SMALL SAMPLE SIZE).
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