Poll: Where Would You Bat Jonathan Lucroy in 2014?
This is something I meant to ask before the end of the regular season, but the beauty of the off-season is that we’ve got plenty of time.
Jonathan Lucroy spent a good portion of the 2013 season hitting third and did an admirable job. The third spot in the order is taken for 2014 though with the return of Ryan Braun. So it led me to the question, where should Jonathan Lucroy hit in the batting order next season?
Here’s a breakdown of Lucroy’s splits by his most-seen spots in the order in 2013:
3rd: 54 G, 232 PA, 205 AB, 27 R, 58 H, 11 2B, 2 3B, 3 HR, 30 RBI, 6 SB, 22 BB, 31 K, .283/.353/.400/.753,
4th: 34 G, 141 PA, 125 AB, 12 R, 38 H, 9 2B, 1 3B, 7 HR, 22 RBI, 3 SB, 14 BB, 12 K, .304/.376/.560/.936
5th: 42 G, 169 PA, 155 AB, 17 R, 41 H, 3 2B, 3 3B, 6 HR, 22 RBI, 0 SB, 9 BB, 22 K, .265/.308/.439/.746
So, I ask you, Brewer Nation…
The Brewer Nation 
I voted for 3rd. I think the order should be:
Aoki
Segura
Lucroy
Braun
Ramirez
Gomez
Gennett
1B
P
Obviously, this could change dramatically depending on who we get at first base.
Why Braun 4th?
I know that Braun is not a prototypical cleanup hitter, but he does hit for power and drives in runs. I like Aoki and Segura at the top of the order, getting on base and into scoring position. Lucroy has the ability to drive in runs and also to set the table for a cleanup hitter. Braun has the most consistent power in the lineup. If Ramirez has a slow start, it won’t hurt as much coming out of the 5 spot. Also, when he does heat up, there will be plenty of RBI opportunities.
As long as Braun doesn’t try to be a 50 home run guy, he should be able to keep his average up and still hit 30-40 home runs. This should be plenty as long as the top 3 in the order are getting on base.