Positives of speed at the top

[southsideirish71]

We have had numerous threads about speed at the top and how it will help our boppers have something to drive in. One thing that we are overlooking is the other benefits to have an aggressive running game up top.

 

1.) Our 3,4,5 hitters will get more hittable pitches.

 

Successful aggressive running creates a situation where you will see more pitchouts. This creates better hitting counts. Also pitch selection changes as pitchers will either slide step or throw more fastballs to get the ball to the plate faster to give the catcher a better chance of throwing out the runner. Plus as we saw last year with Timo. A runner can get under the pitchers skin to the point where they almost forget about the hitter and start to get into a walk fest.

 

2.) Speed puts the defense on its back heel.

It opens holes plain and simple. Now you have players cheating to hold runners or to get into position to accept the throw down. This get defense out of position. It gives the hitters a better chance to hit the ball in the hole or get a ball past a player who would usually be in position to throw you out.

 

3.) Secondary advancement of bases.

Players can advance into better postions after an attempt to throw out a fast runner trying to move ahead. We saw this alot last year. A throw goes into third or to home and the secondary runner advances into scoring position on the long throw.

 

4.) Breakups of GIDP.

GIDPs are rally killers. Having speed is something that can help break this up. A fast runner puts the defense into a position to try and get that lead runner. Forced throws or breakups of the double play can exend the inning.

 

5.) Aggressive advancement of runners. Watching runners steal and to get to third. This opens up the RBI opporunities immensley. We have now a situation that a sac fly will score the runner. You can give up the out to score the run instead of needing a positive hit to score the runner.

 

I am sure others can add more. But there is a lot more that speed can help this team. Its not revamping the team, but putting a better spin on things we did poorly during our Earl Weaver wait for the 3 run homer offense that we had here for years.

[soxman352000]

4.) Breakups of GIDP.

GIDPs are rally killers. Having speed is something that can help break this up. A fast runner puts the defense into a position to try and get that lead runner. Forced throws or breakups of the double play can exend the inning.

 

Thats the big one for me, it would drive me crazy when we had runners at first and third one out and then someone would hit into the inning ending double play.

[Chisoxmatt]

Thats the big one for me, it would drive me crazy when we had runners at first and third one out and then someone would hit into the inning ending double play.

Yeah it will prevent konerko,Dye, and pierzynski from gidp.

 

By the way, damn good points ssirish.

[3E8]

Uribe in the 2 hole isn't enough speed at the top. We still need Iguchi or Castillo.

[TheBlackSox8]

Uribe in the 2 hole isn't enough speed at the top.  We still need Iguchi or Castillo.

you're right...Uribe has some speed....but the speed of Iguchi/Castillo would be extremely better.

[babybearhater]

4.) Breakups of GIDP. 

GIDPs are rally killers.  Having speed is something that can help break this up. A fast runner puts the defense into a position to try and get that lead runner.  Forced throws or breakups of the double play can exend the inning.

 

Thats the big one for me, it would drive me crazy when we had runners at first and third one out and then someone would hit into the inning ending double play.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

yeah but we still have double play paulie on the team. He either hits a bomb or grounds into a double play, so we will still see many of them.