tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10079755.post-70816955877010387912008-04-02T09:15:00.000-07:002008-04-02T09:33:15.858-07:00I like Chris Young. He is an exciting player, both in the field and at the plate. I wonder though, if he is the right fit for the lead-off spot in the lineup.<br /><br />Last season, Young had an on-base percentage of .295. Look at that number again: <span style="font-weight: bold;">.295</span>. I don't know about you, but I think it's pretty hard to move over (or drive in) your lead-off guy when he's already back in the dugout. Micah Owings had an OBP of .345. O-Dog's was .376. The overall team OBP for the Diamondbacks was .321, and that includes the pitchers. Among positions players who appeared in more than 100 games for the D-backs, Chris Young was the only one whose OBP was below .300.<br /><br />Part of the problem with Chris is his strikeouts. He led the team with 141 (just slightly less than the number of games in which he appeared: 148). Opening day was no exception-- Chris excited the Arizona fans with a solo home run, but he also struck out three times.<br /><br />I'm not saying that Chris shouldn't be playing... he is a key part of this lineup and has a lot to contribute. But a lead-off hitter is supposed to get on base-- and it's clear that someone else needs to be filling that role. Orlando Hudson or Eric Byrnes would be fine by me.Paul Wrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06609006306944829120noreply@blogger.com