Washington Nationals: Where should Anthony Rendon hit in the order?
Washington Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon could find himself hitting in a variety of places next season. Where is the best fit?
The Washington Nationals are one of MLB’s most complete offenses. The trouble with this is finding the best place for everyone to hit. This is especially true when it comes to third baseman Anthony Rendon. After finishing last season sixth in the MVP voting, Rendon begins next year with a much higher stock.
It’s practically a given that a typical Dave Martinez lineup in 2018 will include Trea Turner or Adam Eaton at the top. Turner’s speed is especially amazing and a weapon the Nationals can benefit from having ahead of the big bats. With them batting first and second, the Nationals are sure to have an early advantage.
Batting third, we can expect to see the first of those power hitters. Bryce Harper is ideal for this position. The fear he strikes in opposing pitchers based on reputation alone should land him in the three spot. The power and ability to get on base at a high rate make him ideal for this role.
Beginning with the cleanup spot, the debate begins. Who will bat behind Harper?
Last year, Dusty Baker regularly went with Ryan Zimmerman. In 2018, we may see more of Rendon behind Harper.
When everyone is healthy, Rendon only has three places to hit next season. Martinez can use him at number two, four, or six. Unless he decides to place lefties besides one another, Rendon’s place in the 2018 lineup becomes somewhat limited.
If some extra speed is needed at the bottom, Rendon could hit second. This would displace Turner or Eaton to the bottom of the order. Given Turner’s struggles early on in 2017, it’s always possible his bat drops him closer to the bottom. Until that happens, the Nationals should ride with two speedy hitters at the top.
Putting Rendon in the fourth spot creates a little controversy. This would remove Zimmerman from the cleanup role, landing him at the fifth or sixth spot. This would then affect Daniel Murphy’s lineup spot as well. Murphy has put together two straight stellar campaigns. While not a prolific slugger, his ability to come up with big hits is something, any team could use in the middle of the order.
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Finally, there’s the least popular sixth spot to consider for Rendon. This is where he began 2017. It’s also the place I foresee him retaking the majority of hacks next season.
It’s tough to imagine a sixth-place MVP finisher returning the following year to hit behind five teammates. However, this is where Rendon thrived. Though he had a better batting average when hitting fifth, Rendon’s power numbers were noticeably better in the six-spot. His numbers batting fifth and sixth also murder the weak .214 batting average posted while hitting cleanup. Rendon hit over .300 in the fifth and sixth spot, making it a far greater place to play.
Traditional batting orders died when Jose Bautista started hitting leadoff for the Toronto Blue Jays regularly. They are no longer assembled to fit into a mold. Managers now build their lineups based on much more.
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In 2018, the Washington Nationals can do this by placing Rendon in the sixth spot.