2011 Projected Lineup – Updated

Here is my projected starting lineup for the Padres starting out in 2011. Obviously this can change in an instant, since I just wrote one up a couple of days ago and had to make changes to it after the Cameron Maybin trade.

1 Cameron Maybin CF
2 Jerry Hairston SS
3 Adrian Gonzalez 1B
4 Ryan Ludwick RF
5 Will Venable LF
6 Chase Headley 3B
7 David Eckstein 2B
8 Nick Hundley C

1 Cameron Maybin CF
Maybin has the most speed in the lineup and should be leading off for the team. I can also see Buddy experimenting with this slot a lot like he did last year with possibly Hairston or Venable moving up to this position.

2 Jerry Hairston SS
This spot was occupied by the scrappy David Eckstein for a while and I think its time to move in the direction to moving Hairston up to the number 2 spot. Hairston provides a lot more offensively than Eckstein and will get better pitches batting in front of Adrian.

3 Adrian Gonzalez 1B
If Gonzo is here, he will bat 3rd in the lineup as usual.

4 Ryan Ludwick RF
When Luddy was brought in as a Padre, he was supposed to provide protection for Gonzo and struggled. He should be given the opportunity to bat behind Gonzo again to start out the season.

5 Will Venable LF
Venable is a streaky hitter and should benefit from playing all of last season. He provides pop in the lineup and good speed. He also may be used in the leadoff position.

6 Chase Headley 3B
Headley will need to provide a better average and more power to the position and I would love to bring Miguel Tejada back to take over 3B.

7 David Eckstein 2B
As much as I love Eckstein, I would love to see an upgrade offensively at the position. He may be switched with Hundley in the order.

8 Nick Hundley C
Hundley will not supply the same at bats as Yorvit Torrealba, but he does have some pop in his bat and maybe more playing time will give him more confidence in his swing.