It would look something like this:
1. Mookie Betts/Brock HoltFarrell:
2. Dustin Pedroia
3. David Ortiz
4. Hanley Ramirez
5. Pablo Sandoval
6. Mike Napoli
7. Xander Bogaerts
8. Outfielder (Rusney Castillo/Shane Victorino/Daniel Nava/Allen Craig)
9. Christian Vazquez
The one thing that clearly stands out is we have balance left- and right-handed. I have always liked David in the No. 3 hole. You know he is going to come up in the first inning. I think Hanley gives David some protection behind him. Then you start to create some protection, and we want to keep Sandoval on the left side of the plate as much as possible - so if you sandwich him in between Ramirez and Napoli, you start to have a formidable middle of the order where you're going left-right-left-right all the way through there. ...
I think what Mookie showed in the time that he was in the leadoff spot was very encouraging. His on-base skills have been consistent at every level through the minor leagues. It was the same when he came to Boston. Brock Holt is another guy that could fit into that spot when he is in the lineup on a given day.
That lineup could be devastating.
ReplyDeleteWhen Ramirez was a prospect with the Sox, he was touted for his speed more than his power. He was the heir apparent to Nomar.
ReplyDeleteNow, almost ten years later, he's projected to bat fourth to protect Big Papi and being moved to the outfield where he's never played to replace Cespedes.
He gives me some pause, especially because he missed significant time over the past two seasons due to injury. Will he return to All-Star form?
Buster Olney ranks the lineup #1 in MLB.
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