Toronto Blue Jays: Picking the Optimal Batting Order

2 of 10

Aug 4, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Toronto Blue Jays second baseman Devon Travis (29) celebrates his run against the Houston Astros in the first inning at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Devon Travis

I’ve been saying it all season before he even played a game this year, this guy is a modern-day hybrid leadoff hitter. Yes, Travis can up that OBP, which is actually up to .334, but he’s done it by hitting .306 on the season.

His batting average is not the most impressive statistic either, while his slugging percentage is .468. This means he is not only hitting the ball often, but he’s also hitting it hard. Sometimes he goes opposite field and sometimes he hits it out of the park. Once you combine that with his speed, it’s obvious he should be hitting first for the Jays.

You always want your best four batters at the top of the order, because they will get the most at bats. I don’t agree with the statement that some have argued recently about leadoff batters are only leadoff to start the game but after that it doesn’t matter, so why not put an excellent hitter at the bottom of the order to turn the batting lineup around.

Yes, it’s true the batting lineup may not have the leadoff batter start an inning again for the rest of the game, but It certainly does matter. The top of the batting order will often get one more at bat than the rest of the line up per game. That’s 15-20 percent more at bats, and throughout a full season they can end up with 100+ more at bats, because they are at the top of the order.

Next: Batting second

Home/Toronto Blue Jays