Flipping the Switch: Examining the Value and Decline of Switch Hitting

Houston Astros’ manager A.J. Hinch’s lineup card is an impeccably neat and organized document. The names of each of his hitters and pitchers are neatly printed in block letters in black ink. A red marker is used for position players Josh Reddick, Michael Brantley and Tony Kemp to indicate their left-handedness.

Last year, he would have used a a blue marker for the versatile utility player Marwin Gonzalez. Gonzalez has since left in free agency for the Minnesota Twins.