Connolly's Tap Room

Tap-In Question: What’s your take on Adam Jones hitting leadoff?

By Dan Connolly

Posted on May 28, 2016

It’s a holiday weekend. I’m not going to get all philosophical at the Tap Room today.

We have a simple question, one that you should have an opinion on – even if you’ve really only had a few hours to think about it.

The Orioles were in a four-game losing streak. They had struck out roughly a billion times in the last week. They needed to shake things up a little offensively.

And Orioles manager Buck Showalter did, most notably by placing Adam Jones in the leadoff spot. You know, Jones, the guy who was 3-for-37 in his last nine games.  Jones, the guy who is railed on by critics for his lack of patience at the plate, suddenly batting in the spot where you want your most patient hitter.

And what happens?

Jones, naturally, gets three hits in five at-bats, including one to leadoff the game and trigger a three-run first that led the Orioles to a 6-4 win at Cleveland.

And Showalter helped make it happen with an unconventional look to his lineup.

We know Jones isn’t your typical leadoff hitter. His on-base percentage is .291 through 46 games. But it worked for a game. And maybe it jumpstarts things for a little while. I wouldn’t be surprised if Showalter tries it again.

So what did you think? Did you like seeing Jones in the leadoff spot? Do you want to see if it’s something that can keep some momentum going for a while? Or are you just glad it went well, no one got hurt and you hope to never see it again?

Tap-In Question: What was your take on Jones hitting leadoff Friday?