Lineup Review

I was listening to Home Plate on XM Radio when they talked about the Jays for a good chunk of time and was struck by the confidence they had in the lineup's ability to continue to produce at the levels it has thus far. They even suggested it could get better, and here's part of the reasons why they are so confident.

The offensive stats this season for the Jays are as follows:

Player		TEAM		POS		G		AB		R		H		2B		3B		HR		RBI		TB		BB		SO		SB		CS		OBP		SLG		AVG
1. A Hill		TOR		2B		27		119		19		43		6		0		6		22		67		9		17		2		1		.403		.563		.361
2. A Rios		TOR		OF		27		114		14		30		8		1		2		13		46		9		22		2		0		.317		.404		.263
3. V Wells		TOR		OF		27		112		22		32		8		1		4		16		54		11		8		3		0		.347		.482		.286
4. A Lind		TOR		DH		26		103		16		32		8		0		5		23		55		15		23		0		0		.398		.534		.311
5. M Scutaro		TOR		SS		27		101		24		27		4		1		5		16		48		24		14		2		0		.406		.475		.267
6. S Rolen		TOR		3B		23		88		13		27		3		0		2		9		36		7		10		2		0		.367		.409		.307
7. R Barajas		TOR		C		21		76		9		26		9		0		2		13		41		4		9		0		0		.370		.539		.342
8. T Snider		TOR		OF		22		70		9		16		5		0		3		11		30		6		14		1		0		.289		.429		.229
9. L Overbay		TOR		1B		20		61		10		15		6		0		3		11		30		16		11		0		0		.397		.492		.246
10. J Bautista		TOR		OF		17		44		10		14		3		0		1		2		20		10		11		0		0		.455		.455		.318
11. K Millar		TOR		1B		11		42		7		14		4		0		1		10		21		3		6		0		0		.378		.500		.333
12. M Barrett		TOR		C		7		18		3		3		0		0		1		2		6		1		5		0		0		.211		.333		.167
13. R Chavez		TOR		C		5		15		0		4		0		0		0		2		4		0		0		0		0		.267		.267		.267
14. J McDonald		TOR		SS		11		9		3		1		0		0		0		0		1		0		1		0		0		.111		.111		.111

Now, the first thing I notice when I see this list is how short it is. Only the top 11 guys are getting steady ABs and this allows them to get and stay in a rhythm that was non-existent last season. In 2008, 16 guys had over 100 ABs, making it hard for the lineup to get in a rhythm. Injuries had a lot to do with it, but Gibbons juggled the lineup like he was a clown at a carnival which didn't help matters at all.

With Cito at the helm, all of the guys are comfortable with where they hit in the lineup, know their roles, and have proven to be able to make adjustments to match the pitching they face. As Lind and Snider gain maturity, it is only a matter of time before they hit for more power and higher average, making this lineup a scary one to face in June-July and beyond.

Another reason this lineup is potent is the middle infield pop. Few teams have matched the Jays in middle infield offensive production this season. While Hill starts to get his feet underneath him defensively, he is now talked about as a top 4 second baseman in MLB.

Rios has also started to heat up and Barajas has been outstanding this season to say the least. While it is unlikely the Jays will go the entire season without injuries, they also have the depth required to plug up any holes. Millar, and especially Bautista, have such flexibility in their roles and the Jays also have great options for the MI in the minors in Brad Emaus and Joe Inglett, and also in the OF with Jason Lane. Nobody is hoping for injuries, but these guys can perform well enough to ensure the offense stays productive all year long.

Snider-Wells-Rios is an OF that is starting to make me feel very good about the Jays chances for this year and for future years. Although Wells is way too expensive next year and beyond, the total cost of the OF will be tolerable since Rios and Snider cost much less. Fans can finally relax and enjoy the first dose of steady offensive production since the mid-90s.