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Posted: **15 Feb 2026 11:50 am**

sikeston bulldog2 wrote: ↑15 Feb 2026 11:30 am
Cardinals4Life wrote: ↑15 Feb 2026 11:19 am
Cardinals1964 wrote: ↑15 Feb 2026 05:29 am
ramfandan wrote: ↑14 Feb 2026 21:40 pm JJ batted leadoff quite a bit in the minors. In past years, Oli often puts the newbies in 7th slot (at least to start out and then moves them up as they do better ). The math shows that batting leadoff (No. 1) vs. 7th in a lineup will have the No. 1 hitter getting 100 to 120 more plate appearances in a 162 game season.
Walker batted .276 his rookie year with the Cardinals . A .276 leadoff hitter getting 100 more plate appearances could translate to 20 + more hits (excluding the walks in those 100 ) .
One thing if JJ ends up batting leadoff is that as the lineup gets thru the first couple innngs, Wetherholt could bat immediately after VS II (if Oli keeps Victor at 9th spot). Those times that VS II does get on base and attempts a steal (he has high success rate ) there would be a few more times that JJ could come up with VS II in scoring positon for Wetherholt.
I think leadoff would be an ideal spot for JJ. Others may want him elsewhere. Your thoughts ? The more at bats he gets in 2026 the better for the team is how I see it .
AAA
Worst take of all time, guy.
C'mon now. J.J. Will be the best hitter on the team. He was ready last year and didnt get the late season call up. Plug him in at 2B and the 2 hole and watch him shine!
You seem to know of him well. If I plugged him in at 3rd and the 3 hole, am I crazy.

No, JJ can play 3B too. And he will be our best hitter. However, I think his time as a SS, playing 2B is a more natural fit. As far as lineup spots, he will bit wherever. Personally, I like a high contact, high OBP left in my w hole. JJ fors that mold perfectly.

I also think they want Gorman to play at 3B.
JJ will excel wherever you put him. He is that kind kf player.

Posted: **15 Feb 2026 11:51 am**

rage-STL wrote: ↑15 Feb 2026 08:19 am
ramfandan wrote: ↑14 Feb 2026 21:40 pm JJ batted leadoff quite a bit in the minors. In past years, Oli often puts the newbies in 7th slot (at least to start out and then moves them up as they do better ). The math shows that batting leadoff (No. 1) vs. 7th in a lineup will have the No. 1 hitter getting 100 to 120 more plate appearances in a 162 game season.
Walker batted .276 his rookie year with the Cardinals . A .276 leadoff hitter getting 100 more plate appearances could translate to 20 + more hits (excluding the walks in those 100 ) .
One thing if JJ ends up batting leadoff is that as the lineup gets thru the first couple innngs, Wetherholt could bat immediately after VS II (if Oli keeps Victor at 9th spot). Those times that VS II does get on base and attempts a steal (he has high success rate ) there would be a few more times that JJ could come up with VS II in scoring positon for Wetherholt.
I think leadoff would be an ideal spot for JJ. Others may want him elsewhere. Your thoughts ? The more at bats he gets in 2026 the better for the team is how I see it .
Winn - SS
Wetherholt - 2B
Herrera - C
Burly - 1B
Saggese - 3B
Gorman - DH
Walker - RF
Fermin - LF
Scott - CF

Lead off could be a great spring competition. Winn doesn’t thrive there at all, so far. Scott needs to raise his OBP dramatically. Noot probably starts the year on the IL. Maybe JJW hits first.

Posted: **15 Feb 2026 12:01 pm**

When Noot is healthy
LH Nootbaar LF
RH Herrera C
LH Burleson 1B
RH Walker RF
LH Gorman DH
RH Saggese 3B
LH Wetherholt 2B
RH Winn SS
LH Scott II CF

Without Nootbaar
Wetherholt
Saggese
Burleson
Herrera
Gorman
Walker
Scott II
Winn
Fermín

Posted: **15 Feb 2026 12:01 pm**

Jatalk wrote: ↑15 Feb 2026 05:59 am The only proven leadoff man we have is Noot but unfortunately he only plays 5 to 10 games per year. After that who knows? Let’s see what shakes out in spring. There will be a lot of shuffling in the line up during the season. That’s the Oli way and honestly we don’t have any proven hitters at any one spot. Couple of them had decent years last year but no one is proven. We traded those guys away.

The only thing Lars the Human Sushi-baar has proven is that he is not suitable for the role.

Posted: **15 Feb 2026 12:05 pm**

TheFantasyStud wrote: ↑15 Feb 2026 12:01 pm When Noot is healthy
LH Nootbaar LF
RH Herrera C
LH Burleson 1B
RH Walker RF
LH Gorman DH
RH Saggese 3B
LH Wetherholt 2B
RH Winn SS
LH Scott II CF

Without Nootbaar
Wetherholt
Saggese
Burleson
Herrera
Gorman
Walker
Scott II
Winn
Fermín

I don't like either of those.

Posted: **15 Feb 2026 12:06 pm**

BrockFloodMaris wrote: ↑15 Feb 2026 11:51 am
rage-STL wrote: ↑15 Feb 2026 08:19 am
ramfandan wrote: ↑14 Feb 2026 21:40 pm JJ batted leadoff quite a bit in the minors. In past years, Oli often puts the newbies in 7th slot (at least to start out and then moves them up as they do better ). The math shows that batting leadoff (No. 1) vs. 7th in a lineup will have the No. 1 hitter getting 100 to 120 more plate appearances in a 162 game season.
Walker batted .276 his rookie year with the Cardinals . A .276 leadoff hitter getting 100 more plate appearances could translate to 20 + more hits (excluding the walks in those 100 ) .
One thing if JJ ends up batting leadoff is that as the lineup gets thru the first couple innngs, Wetherholt could bat immediately after VS II (if Oli keeps Victor at 9th spot). Those times that VS II does get on base and attempts a steal (he has high success rate ) there would be a few more times that JJ could come up with VS II in scoring positon for Wetherholt.
I think leadoff would be an ideal spot for JJ. Others may want him elsewhere. Your thoughts ? The more at bats he gets in 2026 the better for the team is how I see it .
Winn - SS
Wetherholt - 2B
Herrera - C
Burly - 1B
Saggese - 3B
Gorman - DH
Walker - RF
Fermin - LF
Scott - CF
Lead off could be a great spring competition. Winn doesn’t thrive there at all, so far. Scott needs to raise his OBP dramatically. Noot probably starts the year on the IL. Maybe JJW hits first.

Lots of options.

Noot, if healthy.
VSII if he can show to get on base more with his new approach.
Winn will be Marmol's choice.
Bryan Torres is my dark horse candidate.

Posted: **15 Feb 2026 12:37 pm**

Cardinals4Life wrote: ↑15 Feb 2026 12:05 pm
TheFantasyStud wrote: ↑15 Feb 2026 12:01 pm When Noot is healthy
LH Nootbaar LF
RH Herrera C
LH Burleson 1B
RH Walker RF
LH Gorman DH
RH Saggese 3B
LH Wetherholt 2B
RH Winn SS
LH Scott II CF

Without Nootbaar
Wetherholt
Saggese
Burleson
Herrera
Gorman
Walker
Scott II
Winn
Fermín
I don't like either of those.

I bet I hate them even more than you. 1st or 7th. Hmmm.

Posted: **15 Feb 2026 12:39 pm**

Cardinals1964 wrote: ↑15 Feb 2026 12:37 pm
Cardinals4Life wrote: ↑15 Feb 2026 12:05 pm
TheFantasyStud wrote: ↑15 Feb 2026 12:01 pm When Noot is healthy
LH Nootbaar LF
RH Herrera C
LH Burleson 1B
RH Walker RF
LH Gorman DH
RH Saggese 3B
LH Wetherholt 2B
RH Winn SS
LH Scott II CF

Without Nootbaar
Wetherholt
Saggese
Burleson
Herrera
Gorman
Walker
Scott II
Winn
Fermín
I don't like either of those.
I bet I hate them even more than you. 1st or 7th. Hmmm.

If Marmol puts JJ 7th, he should be fired before he can hang the lineup card up.

Posted: **15 Feb 2026 12:41 pm**

Cardinals4Life wrote: ↑15 Feb 2026 11:19 am
Cardinals1964 wrote: ↑15 Feb 2026 05:29 am
ramfandan wrote: ↑14 Feb 2026 21:40 pm JJ batted leadoff quite a bit in the minors. In past years, Oli often puts the newbies in 7th slot (at least to start out and then moves them up as they do better ). The math shows that batting leadoff (No. 1) vs. 7th in a lineup will have the No. 1 hitter getting 100 to 120 more plate appearances in a 162 game season.
Walker batted .276 his rookie year with the Cardinals . A .276 leadoff hitter getting 100 more plate appearances could translate to 20 + more hits (excluding the walks in those 100 ) .
One thing if JJ ends up batting leadoff is that as the lineup gets thru the first couple innngs, Wetherholt could bat immediately after VS II (if Oli keeps Victor at 9th spot). Those times that VS II does get on base and attempts a steal (he has high success rate ) there would be a few more times that JJ could come up with VS II in scoring positon for Wetherholt.
I think leadoff would be an ideal spot for JJ. Others may want him elsewhere. Your thoughts ? The more at bats he gets in 2026 the better for the team is how I see it .
AAA
Worst take of all time, guy.
C'mon now. J.J. Will be the best hitter on the team. He was ready last year and didnt get the late season call up. Plug him in at 2B and the 2 hole and watch him shine!

Being the best fitter, he would look really good in the third spot.

Posted: **15 Feb 2026 13:15 pm**

Cardinals4Life .. see the plan if he plays 2nd ,bat him 2nd I guess if he plays 3rd base , bat him 3rd So does it follow to bat him clean up , have him be the 4th outfielder

Posted: **15 Feb 2026 13:22 pm**

rage-STL wrote: ↑15 Feb 2026 08:19 am
ramfandan wrote: ↑14 Feb 2026 21:40 pm JJ batted leadoff quite a bit in the minors. In past years, Oli often puts the newbies in 7th slot (at least to start out and then moves them up as they do better ). The math shows that batting leadoff (No. 1) vs. 7th in a lineup will have the No. 1 hitter getting 100 to 120 more plate appearances in a 162 game season.
Walker batted .276 his rookie year with the Cardinals . A .276 leadoff hitter getting 100 more plate appearances could translate to 20 + more hits (excluding the walks in those 100 ) .
One thing if JJ ends up batting leadoff is that as the lineup gets thru the first couple innngs, Wetherholt could bat immediately after VS II (if Oli keeps Victor at 9th spot). Those times that VS II does get on base and attempts a steal (he has high success rate ) there would be a few more times that JJ could come up with VS II in scoring positon for Wetherholt.
I think leadoff would be an ideal spot for JJ. Others may want him elsewhere. Your thoughts ? The more at bats he gets in 2026 the better for the team is how I see it .
Winn - SS
Wetherholt - 2B
Herrera - C
Burly - 1B
Saggese - 3B
Gorman - DH
Walker - RF
Fermin - LF
Scott - CF

Projecting both a potential OD roster and what the team has shown as a desire to do.
Either Winn or Scott can't do LO and make outs 70% of the time. Winn has shown better bat
control than Scott and maybe it works this time. ST should mean something. Both need to change
or their ability to run is negated by an inability to reach base. Average or below average
can't hit first or Melville's point comes to light with the 1st inning futility.

Saggese has to show ability to sting the ball o/w he can't bat #5. So with all the thoughts that you have
involved in this, IF this is the 9, and 2026 repeats 2025 in some regard I'd strongly consider Fermin at LO.

Fermin
JJ
IH
Burly
Saggese/JW
Gorman
JW/Saggese
Scott.
Winn

Hopefully somebody steps up a substantial amount to change this. Church out producing
Fermin or Scott would impact. Power by anyone including Velazquez would help.

Posted: **15 Feb 2026 21:56 pm**

Cardinals4Life wrote: ↑14 Feb 2026 22:45 pm The correct answer is he should hit in the 2 hole from Day 1.

Marmol will undoubtedly get it wrong!

Agree on both counts!

Posted: **15 Feb 2026 23:13 pm**

I do think they would like Scott to lead off, I’m just not convinced his OB% will be good enough. However, Marmol very well could start the season with him there. In such a case then, Winn probably moves to #2, JJ #3, Herrera #4, Burleson #5, Saggese #6, Gorman #7, Walker #8, and then Pages/Fermin/ Church/Torres at #9
I just don’t want to see Marmol hit Herrera #2, or Burleson either. He has before!
Of course, when and if Nootbaar returns, that could change everything ! Marmol has batted him everywhere from #1-#6.

Posted: **15 Feb 2026 23:41 pm**

Hoosier59 wrote: ↑15 Feb 2026 23:13 pm I do think they would like Scott to lead off, I’m just not convinced his OB% will be good enough. However, Marmol very well could start the season with him there. In such a case then, Winn probably moves to #2, JJ #3, Herrera #4, Burleson #5, Saggese #6, Gorman #7, Walker #8, and then Pages/Fermin/ Church/Torres at #9
I just don’t want to see Marmol hit Herrera #2, or Burleson either. He has before!
Of course, when and if Nootbaar returns, that could change everything ! Marmol has batted him everywhere from #1-#6.

He will attempt to go L-R-L-R through the order, because apparently he read that was a good strategy in a coaching pamphlet he found online, and he cannot stray from what he read. He is so bad! Makes me mad just thinking about it!!!

Posted: **15 Feb 2026 23:43 pm**

ramfandan wrote: ↑15 Feb 2026 13:15 pm Cardinals4Life .. see the plan if he plays 2nd ,bat him 2nd I guess if he plays 3rd base , bat him 3rd So does it follow to bat him clean up , have him be the 4th outfielder

Nothing would surprise me with Marmol making out the lineup cards.

The same moron who hit Goldy 2 hole in front of Noot for 3+ years.

Posted: **16 Feb 2026 01:11 am**

Cardinals4Life wrote: ↑15 Feb 2026 23:43 pm
ramfandan wrote: ↑15 Feb 2026 13:15 pm Cardinals4Life .. see the plan if he plays 2nd ,bat him 2nd I guess if he plays 3rd base , bat him 3rd So does it follow to bat him clean up , have him be the 4th outfielder
Nothing would surprise me with Marmol making out the lineup cards.

The same moron who hit Goldy 2 hole in front of Noot for 3+ years.

I’ll bet Bloom and his new team sat Oli down and explained their philosophy to him. I sure hope we see some creativity out of Oli this year. Some aggressive base running, true platooning, competition for starts, playing the hot hand, etc.

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