San Diego Padres: Eric Hosmer right fit as cleanup hitter

Although the cleanup hitter is usually a team’s best power hitter, it would be the perfect place for the San Diego Padres to slot Eric Hosmer.

Traditionally, teams want their greatest slugger hitting in the cleanup spot. Two players with strong on base skills and respectable speed take up the first two spots in the lineup, with the team’s best overall hitter in the third spot. From there, the best power hitter waits, ready to drive in any players on base. At least that is how this works in theory.

The problem for the San Diego Padres is that they really do not have a traditional cleanup hitter. The top of the order is in good hands with Fernando Tatis Jr. and Tommy Pham setting the table. Manny Machado is hitter in the third spot in the lineup. But who hits cleanup?

Right now, the Padres best power hitter may be Wil Myers. However, he is not consistent offensively, and is a player without a position. The Padres had also been actively trying to move him through the offseason, so his place in the lineup is not exactly assured. Instead, it may be time to look in another direction and plug Eric Hosmer into that spot.

Hosmer is not the traditional cleanup hitter by any means. He hit a career best 25 homers in both 2016 and 2017, and only surpassed the 20 homer plateau one other time. Yet, despite that limited home run power, Hosmer has been a consistent run producer, driving in over 90 runs four times in the past five years.

There is also his track record with runners in scoring position. For his career, Hosmer has posted a .291/.365/.456 batting line, hitting 45 homers and 69 doubles in 1465 plate appearances. Those numbers pale in comparison to his production in that situation last year, when Hosmer had a .328/.385/.539 batting line, hitting six homers and nine doubles in 148 plate appearances.

Hosmer should also have a more complete lineup behind him this coming year. Trent Grisham is an exciting young player, and Francisco Mejia made strides last year. With more protection behind him, and a strong top of the lineup, Hosmer could be an elite run producer for the Padres.

Eric Hosmer may not be the typical cleanup hitter, but he is exactly what the San Diego Padres need. And, he might surprise some people this year.