SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Walt Weiss’ spring experiment could lead to fundamental change.
In Monday’s Cactus League game against the Brewers, the Rockies’ manager has right-handed starter Jon Gray hitting eighth, followed by second baseman Rafael Ynoa in the ninth spot.
Colorado manager Walt Weiss like the idea of a pitcher hitting eighth. (Karl Gehring, Denver Post file photo)
Hitting a pitcher eighth instead of in the traditional nine-hole is something Weiss might do during the regular season. It’s something his mentor, former A’s and Cardinals manager Tony La Russa used to do.
Weiss believes the Rockies have a deep, talented and versatile lineup and he wants to take advantage of it. For instance, in Monday’s game, Weiss has slugger Carlos Gonzalez hitting second.
“It intrigues me enough that I wanted to look at it a few times down here,” Weiss said. “I told our guys that I didn’t want them to think that I’m screwing with our chances to win, or that I think I’m smarter than the game or smarter than anybody else. We all know that’s not the case.
“I have played for some managers who have done it. The concept behind it is to put another position player in front of the middle-of-the-order guys — that you have bumped up in the lineup. So that maybe they get another at-bat, possibly, and it’s puts you in the position to get another at bat. And, at the same time, they have another position player, as opposed to a pitcher, hitting two spots in front of them.”
In Weiss’ thinking, the No. 9 hitter can be a player with a high on-base percentage and can act as a table setter for the top of the order.
“I like to have some thunder in that two spot, as opposed to a situational guy,” he said. “I like that when the lineup rolls over, it’s dangerous, as opposed to waiting a couple of slots for your big boppers. The length of the lineup allows you to do something like this.”
Tags: Carlos Gonzalez, Jon Gray, Rafael Ynoa, Walt Weiss
