Arizona Diamondbacks: Who leads off in the batting order?

By Mark Brown |

By default, David Peralta could emerge as the Diamondbacks' lead-off hitter. (Christian Petersen / Getty Images)

One decision for manager Torey Lovullo of the Arizona Diamondbacks is to determinate an adequate lead-off hitter.

Now that roster composition is complete; the hour is here for decisions by manager Torey Lovullo of the Arizona Diamondbacks. That would include discovering middle relievers, identifying those destined for the bench and solidifying the starting rotation.

Perhaps the most immediate concern is constructing a batting order. Coming into spring training, the Diamondbacks do not have an actual lead-off hitter and not a traditional number-two hitter. Below these two critical spots, Paul Goldschmidt should hit third, Jake Lamb is likely the clean-up hitter and Yasmany Tomas, returning to left field from an injury-plagued 2017 season, could hit fifth.

During the course of last season. Lovullo used the left-handed-hitting David Peralta, perhaps more than any hitter, in that lead-off spot. With more power than a traditional lead-off hitter, Peralta, who plays both corner outfield positions, can spray the ball and has been known to hit for power to the opposite field.

With Peralta, he did not ‘manufacture” ways to get on base and drew only 43 walks in 525 plate appearances. At the same time, center-fielder A. J. Pollock could resume his role as a lead-off hitter. Displaced over the past few seasons because of injuries, Pollock managed a .266 batting average last season, but his walks-ratio was similar to Peralta. In 425 plate appearances, Pollock drew 35 walks and hit second in the order behind Peralta.

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In determining additional value as a lead-off hitter, Peralta and Pollock each were hit by a pitched ball six times.

At this point, it’s likely Lovullo will not make an abrupt change at the top of his line-up. Middle infielders, who traditionally are the bulk of the lead-off hitters, will not perform that role for Arizona.

Penciled in at second, Brandon Drury provided a power bat and suited for a spot lower in the line-up. Shortstop Nick Ahmed has hit eighth for previous manager Chip Hale and last season for Lovullo. Then, he was lost for the season with a broken right hand in late June.

Though his .251 batting average last season was a career-high, there is little chance Ahmed will move up in the batting order.

The only other potential candidate to lead-off, and if he plays every day, is shortstop Ketel Marte, who was called up from Triple-A Reno in late June after Ahmed went down. A switch-hitter, Marte hit .260 in 73 games. His walk/at bat ratio was not steady. In 223 plate appearances, Marte walked 29 times and hit by a pitch only once.

While the establishment of a lead-off hitter remains critical to a productive offense, like the one employed by the Diamondbacks, Lovullo may be left to choose personnel at the top of his line-up by default.

Hitting the ice

The Diamondbacks are combining with the Arizona Coyotes of the NHL to promote a baseball night at Gila River Arena.

Set for Saturday, Feb. 24 and following their pre-season game with Cleveland at Salt River, several players and club personnel will head over the arena. The first 7,500 fans in attendance receive a Jake Lamb bobblehead, and the Coyotes face the Anaheim Ducks.

Next: Does depth of relievers mean ‘quality?’

During their pre-game warm-up, the Coyotes will wear a special branded Arizona Diamondbacks-Coyotes jersey, and those jerseys will be auctioned off to benefit the Arizona Coyotes Foundation.

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