OB1 posted:My son has struggled at the plate this year. I've struggled with where to have him in the line up and here is why.
PA-23, AB-11, AVG-.182, OBP-.609 H-2, RBI-4, R-7, BB-10, HBP-2, SO-6, K-L-5, SB-7.
So the obvious, like I said he is struggling making contact with the ball. I have had him back and forth from the 2 spot to the 9 spot as a "second lead-off" man, mainly because up until last week he had a .900+ OBP. But here is what I can tell you just from his stats. First, he is patient at the plate and hes scored more than 3 times the amount he has gotten hits. However, you can see that out of 6 SO, 5 were looking. So I think that is an indicator that if someone is too patient at the plate it can begin to make them look at strikes too close to the zone. Now, what I have told him is that he needs to change one thing...expand his zone with 2 strikes. If it were not for the 5 K-L out of 6 SO I would say he's a great patient batter, but that stat indicates that he is looking to walk. There comes a time to be aggressive and there comes a time to be patient...2 strikes is not a time to be patient.
As to the original question and my son's stats...well, he has 2 hits and 10 BB and has scored 4 RBI's and 7 runs...my opinion, as walk is as good as a single in most cases.
OB1, I propose to you that you can make zero assumptions regarding your hitters when you are playing opponents that allow for a .900+ OBP. That is beyond crazy. Immediately start working on scheduling better opponents.
I believe I recall you having a team that struggles and in that circumstance, it is OK to put together a manageable schedule with some weaker opponents on it. But when it reaches that level of bad, no one is benefiting.
Sorry for the diversion on the topic. But that is CRAZY.