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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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Toronto Blue Jays
Apr 30, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Toronto Blue Jays right fielder Michael Saunders (21) hits an RBI single during the ninth inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Michael Saunders

This one is a tough one because this slot can easily be occupied by Troy Tulowitzki, who has been hitting better lately.  I wouldn’t be opposed to having him here instead of Saunders, depending on the pitching matchup and who is coming off a better game.

The five slot guy needs to offer protection to the cleanup batter, in case he gets intentionally walked. So if the guy hitting at the five is not a very good hitter or is in a slump, you’ll see someone like Encarnacion get intentionally walked more frequently.

Saunders has hit for a respectable .264 average this season with power. Although his average has dipped since the All-Star break, I believe he is a very good hitter and will turn things around. He has to turn things around anyway, because he is such an importance piece of the pie for the Jays offense.

I chose Saunders over Tulowitzki because he hits left-handed. The Jays batting order is filled with right-handed batters, so he offers a nice break in the middle of the order to throw off pitching matchups, sometimes forcing teams into their bullpen. Saunders could also expose a right-handed pitcher, should the opposing team choose not to go to their pen.

Next: Batting sixth

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