July 2nd, 2008
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In early May when Alfonso Soriano was struggling at the lead-off spot, fans and media alike were screaming for a change. Of course, everyone looked at Kosuke Fukudome’s on-base percentage and walk-to-strikeout ratio as the answer at lead-off. And even when Soriano did finally find his form, it was argued that Fukudome would still be better suited at top.
Well, with Soriano and Reed Johnson on the DL, the time finally came for Fukudome to prove he’s the answer at lead-off.
Maybe not so much.
After 11 games (not counting two he missed with a calf injury), the Fukudome we’ve come to know and love over the last three months has taken a turn.
His batting and OBP averages are down and his walk-to-strikeout ratio is heavy on the strikeout side:
Fukudome batting fifth: .319 BA (193 at bats, 61 hits), 38:32 walk-to-strikeout ratio, .427 OBPÂ
Fukudome batting first: .267 BA (45 at bats, 12 hits), 7:16 walk-to-strikeout ratio, .377 OBP (also, the Cubs are 4-7)
When it comes down to it, Soriano is the best lead-off option for the Cubs. He is hitting .297 at the top compared to Fukudome’s .267, Reed Johnson’s .227, Ryan Theriot’s .176 and Eric Patterson’s .118. The good news is that Soriano’s comeback is close, which means Fukudome can return to productivity at the fifth spot…or even be sent to the unknown at the two-hole.
April 30th, 2008
Alfonso Soriano’s return gives the Cubs a pleasant — but perplexing — dilemma. Namely, who do you sit? Reed Johnson (.303, great defense) and Kosuke Fukudome (great everything) have to play in the outfield. And normally weak-hitting infielders Rony Cedeno (.364) and Ryan Theriot (.319) are currently red-hot. That makes it an ideal time to slowly ease Soriano back into the lineup and make sure he’s 100 percent healthy. And if he is, then you probably have to sit do-everything Mark DeRosa (.284). Cedeno may never get this hot again; the Cubs should ride it and play him at second as long as he keeps hitting to make the most of his hot streak.
April 3rd, 2008
Had to disagree with the earlier post by Mr. Garcia. Sorry, Tony, you couldn’t be more wrong. If batting Soriano first is a bad idea, the Cubs never should have paid him $136 million. Afterall, he’d hit leadoff basically his entire career. (Moving him down in the order would be about as smart as our co-blogger Wally Haas batting his own son last most of the year when Kevin Haas almost broke the Newshounds record for highest batting average in a season for our slowpitch softball team.) …  The truth is Soriano is the no-brainer choice to hit leadoff. Soriano, Derrek Lee and Aramis Ramirez are far-and-away Chicago’s most expensive and most accomplished hitters. Theriot ranked 14th on the team in OPS last year, 12th if you count only players with at least 140 at bats. That’s below Jason Kendall. Every spot you move down in the batting order costs you 18 to 20 at-bats over a season. Do you really want Ryan Theriot batting 70 more times than Alfonso Soriano (if Soriano is fifth and Theriot first)? No way. Soriano, Fukudome, Lee, Ramirez — those first four should be set in stone. — Matt Trowbridge
