Don't yall think that Mark Loretta should be starting instead of playin utility?

Question

I know Biggio is about to get to 3,000 hits, but he can still get that comin off the bench.

Answer 1

He still needs 70 hits, and he won't get that if he doesn't start at least part-time. I'm sure Loretta will start a good share of the games, but Biggio has a lot of well earned respect coming his way from the Astros organization and they'll make sure he has a chance to get his hits.

Answer 2

Let's have a look at this from both sides of the equation.

First, on defence, Biggio has spent the fast majority of his career at 2nd, with some time in OF, although he began his career at C.

Loretta, on the other hand, has spent most of his career playing 2nd, but with lots of experience all around the infield as well as some in LF.

They have similar career F% at 2nd. But with Loretta's overall defensive experience, yes, he's a utility player while Biggio clearly is not.

Loretta's BA has been better in recent years, but he's also played in more games/season in recent years (with the exception of an injury-filled 2005 season. In the last few years, though, both have similar OPS, total bases and GIDP's.

Hitting is about consistency, and without 3 - 4 PA's per game on a routine basis, a batter can't hit consistently. Yes, Biggio has 2930 career hits, but there is no reason to stop at 3000. In fact, only one 1 man did stop at that point, and for Roberto Clemente,well, it's rather difficult to still hit when you're dead.

Based on his 2006 performance, Biggio will likely get his 3000th hit sometime around the All Star break. After that, you may see Loretta a little more frequently at 2nd than in the first half. Or you may not. But Loretta will play around the infield and he'll get his share of PA's.

Answer 3

Craig Biggio is not going to come off the bench dude. He's been a starter his entire career. He needs only 70 hits to get to 3,000. He had a great season last year. There's no need for him to be a sub.

Answer 4

I think you can expect to see Loretta in the lineup for the 'Stros regularly although not at 2b all the time. His bat is still potent and he plays decent defense.

He will play 2B and 3B regularly spelling Biggio and Ensberg and you may even see him at 1B giving Berkman a day off or the opportunity to play DH in interleague games.

If Lee gets hurt you may also see him in LF.

Loretta can still rake and the Astros didn't sign him to ride the bench.

Answer 5

Yes, I saw Loretta play when he played in SanDiego and hecarried the Padres a couple of years ago

Answer 6

Loretta should have signed with a team that would have let him be a starter, like San Diego.