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Toronto Blue Jays: Keeping Jose Bautista in the leadoff spot

By Vanessa Serrao

Jun 9, 2017; Seattle, WA, USA; Toronto Blue Jays right fielder Jose Bautista (19) advances to third base on a single by a teammate against the Seattle Mariners during the first inning at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 9, 2017; Seattle, WA, USA; Toronto Blue Jays right fielder Jose Bautista (19) advances to third base on a single by a teammate against the Seattle Mariners during the first inning at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Manager John Gibbons decided to put Jose Bautista in the leadoff spot in the third game of the series against the Texas Rangers and it worked out well for the Toronto Blue Jays.

Sometimes when things just don’t seem to be working like you anticipated, it requires you to mix things up. This is exactly what Toronto Blue Jays manager John Gibbons did.

Gibbons decided to change things up by placing Jose Bautista in the leadoff spot. Kevin Pillar has unfortunately not been as productive of late, so removing him from the leadoff spot was a good idea.

Bautista has been playing more consistent baseball and when it comes down to the numbers, they don’t lie:

When it comes to baseball, numbers and statistics are a huge thing. Just like when certain hitters hit very well against a particular pitcher, you want that hitter in the lineup against that pitcher.

More hits equals men on base, which means more chances for scoring runs. It is simple math.

Getting on base

Having players get on base is so important. When you have the leadoff man get on base, this makes things easier on the guy that’s up to bat next.

It gives him drive and motivation. Especially since Justin Smoak is doing so well this year, putting a guy on base for him while he’s up at the plate is beneficial.

Also, with having a team like the Toronto Blue Jays that have home run hitters like Kendrys Morales, Josh Donaldson and Smoak, then you can cash in more runs. A simple matter of changing the lineup can make such a big impact.

Truth Be Told

Pillar was in the leadoff spot, because he ultimately earned it. But as of late, his numbers just aren’t the same.

At the end of the day it is nothing personal and I’m sure the outfielder knows that. As per Gregor Chisholm of MLB.com:

"Kevin Pillar openly lobbied for the leadoff role in recent years and earned the job out of Spring Training. He was one of Toronto’s best hitters through the first six weeks, with a .313 average and .874 OPS on May 16. Since then, Pillar is batting .160 (19-for-119) with seven extra-base hits and a .456 OPS."

Next: Aaron Sanchez on the comeback trail yet again

The whole logic behind moving Bautista in the leadoff spot is to take advantage of his high on-base percentage. How long he stays there, remains to be seen.

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