Dunn's lineup protection

by pennantchaser1 on Mar 10, 2009 4:42 PM EDT

I read this today and it seemed like the 10th time I've read something that was like, "Dunn won't have much protection in the Nationals lineup." Does anyone think the Nats lineup is better than its being given credit for? I know it's not great, but I don't think it's terrible either, especially if the outfielders produce. I predict a lot of homers for Dunn again this year, probably another 40.

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Adding Dunn is a positive thing for the Nationals. ESPN.com reports that he gives them an identity and at least some credibility. As far as the lineup goes, he will have no protection. This however is only on paper and should be interpreted with caution. We do not know how well some of the players will do this season so keep an open mind. As of now, if I were an opposing pitcher, I would pitch around Dunn almost every single time. The Nationals were god awful offensively last season and it is always safe to play the numbers.

by patches51085 on Mar 10, 2009 5:27 PM EDT reply actions

Then that means protection for the REST of the lineup...

Dukes, Zimm, Johnson, Milledge, maybe even Kearns—they’re not sluggers like Dunn, but they can rack up the extra bases with the best of them. Remember what Frank Robinson used to say, “A double is a run.”

"We’re all neighbors in NatsTown™!" --NNN

by Doghouse on Mar 10, 2009 6:46 PM EDT up reply actions

Nats lineup seems pretty decent to me

Get 130 games from Johnson, a rebound/better luck year from Kearns, a full year of 2008 Dukes, a Zimm rebound, and Milledge with a season under his belt, and I think that’s pretty darn good. Throw in Guzman (who’s good but probably can’t repeat his 2009), and that’s a lineup I’m afraid of.

by James Kannengieser on Mar 10, 2009 11:25 PM EDT up reply actions

It's a stupid argument

Zimm averages 25hr’s when healthy, NJ 20hr’s, and Dukes has 30hr potential. People who say that there is “no protection” aren’t actually looking at the players. Just last year’s record. F ’em.

by wittcap79 on Mar 11, 2009 11:16 AM EDT up reply actions

Yea, what he said!!!

You can look at it this way. Dunn gives everyone else protection in the beginning of the year and the rest others give him protection mid-season on when team figure out how to pitch or not to pitch to Dunn. I’m more worried about a true lead off hitter. Milledge and Guzman are two hole hitters. You could make an arument that Milledge will be a 6 or 7 hole hitter eventually in this line up. One things for certain with Acta making the line ups we’re sure to see all kinds of batting orders, eh…

FWIW – The third base coach has got to lighten up on letting people go to home. Maybe this is an Acta thing not a Tolman thing? Who knows…

by Berndaddy on Mar 11, 2009 11:26 AM EDT up reply actions

Put me down for a Nats lineup fan for the power

I think Elijah Dukes will hit 30 homers this year and be a 30/20 guy. Nick is one of the best hitters in baseball. Period! If he gets the at bats Willingham can easily hit 31-35 homers and he gets on base nearly as much as Dunn. In fact, I think he is everybit the player as Dunn. Remember Dunn has hit in the most homer friendly park in the NL and Willingham in one of the least homer friendly parks before they got here. Zimmerman is Zimmerman. He will hit right around where he has been hitting, but that is pretty good. Call me a big fan of Willy Harris. His all round play is outstanding (worth more win shares than Dunn if they had the same at bats last season). Flores should be a slightly above average hitting catcher.

I have less hope for Millage batting near the the top of the lineup. He has shown no significant skill for getting on base, and according to Moneyball that is not a teachable skill. Your born with it or you aren’t. So, Millage is not a leadoff hitter and strikes out to much to bat second as well. But he would make a darn good 7th or 8th hitter and should see his power grow some. I really like Harris leading off and Guzman #2, but I doubt we see that as often as we should.

Belliard was a great hitter last season. He is a below average fielder at second, but a way above average hitter there. Hernandez is exactly the opposit. All glove little hit, but he did hit the best he ever has last September, so maybe we will get something out of him.

So I think it is possible to construct a lineup in DC that could score as well or better than almost any in the game this season. Not sure the pitchers would always like it because you would have both Willingham and Dunn in the corner outfield spots, Dukes in center, and Belliard at second. Actually I am sure the pitchers wouldn’t like it.

by PhDBrian on Mar 11, 2009 3:04 AM EDT reply actions

I'm with you on Dukes to center but...

I wish I could remember where I read this, a commentary I read (BP or SI, ESPN?) said they thought Dukes a plus right fielder in the near future and at best an average to plus-ish Center fielder ( He loved Dukes arm strenghth, his bat would not be the problem, period!). On the other hand he stated that Milledge would be a just below average Center fielder(with a possibility of an average grade if he learns better ball route habits), his bat would be ok but he was worried about his knowledge of routes to the ball and his average arm) and a way below average left fielder (would be servicable fielder but he lack the bat for a left fielder)

by Berndaddy on Mar 11, 2009 11:39 AM EDT up reply actions