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Toronto Blue Jays: Picking the Optimal Batting Order

By Vinnie

Aug 3, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson (20) celebrates with first baseman Edwin Encarnacion (10) after hitting a solo home run during the fourth inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 3, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson (20) celebrates with first baseman Edwin Encarnacion (10) after hitting a solo home run during the fourth inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 15, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion rounds the bases after hitting his second home run of the game during the seventh inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Edwin Encarnacion

The cleanup role has historically been the guy who hits the ball the hardest and the longest with the most consistency. There is no doubt the person for the Jays who does that is Mr. “Walk the Parrot” himself.

Some may argue that he is hitting in the three slot, so that Bautista can offer him protection from being intentionally walked and I can’t disagree with that argument. What I can say is that if the Jays want to win the World Series, they’ll need a guy at the five slot who can offer solid protection for Encarnacion.

The general idea is the top three guys get on base and he cleans up the base path with a bomb. The four guy usually is one of the weaker runners on the team too – who else better suited than Encarnacion? Need I say more?

Next: Batting fifth

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