Rosenthal: Swapping Figgins for Ichiro at leadoff could revive Mariners’ offense

The truth, though no one dares say it around the Mariners, is that hitting behind Ichiro isn’t easy. Ichiro’s goal is not to get on base, but to get on base with a hit, collect 200 hits a season. He is unpredictable, playing at his own rhythm. And when he starts an inning with a quick at-bat — Ichiro ranked near the bottom in pitches per plate appearance among leadoff men last season — the No. 2 hitter is in a difficult spot.

At that point, a rival hitting coach explained, the No. 2 hitter is almost forced to be patient, or the pitcher will stand a good chance of breezing through the inning. Someone has to work counts, especially in the first inning when pitchers often are at their most vulnerable. And that task shouldn’t fall to the No. 3 hitter.

...The numbers indicate Figgins has lost his way. He is chasing more pitches out of the strike zone than he did with the Angels, and his walk rate declined markedly in each of his first two seasons with the Mariners. Yet, Figgins maintains he still isn’t aggressive enough.

“Being in that spot and understanding that Ichiro is an aggressive player — that’s what makes him great — I need to understand that when he is aggressive, I need to be aggressive, too,” Figgins said. “A lot of times I get behind in the count too much.”

But isn’t patience his game?

“That’s the adjustment I have to understand and make,” Figgins said. “There were spots in 2010 and last year where I got better at it, got back on track because I was being more aggressive. I’m still having my patient tendencies. But at certain times, I have to be more aggressive. Early in the game, I have to be more aggressive.”

Thanks to Butch.