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Can a Different Batting Order Improve the Blue Jays’ Offence?

  • Edgar Chaput's Author profile. Edgar Chaput

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As of Wednesday, July 26, the Toronto Blue Jays have a statistically decent offence. They rank fifth in batting average and third in total hits. Still, given the dogfight they’re engaged in for a playoff spot, maybe some tinkering is in order. Co-host David Bastl offers up an alternative batting order for former Jays manager John Gibbons to dissect.

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The Blue Jays’ Fantasy Batting Order

Bastl comes at “Gibby” straight from the outset with a hypothetical batting order, at least a reconfigured top four.

1. Whit Merrifield

2. Bo Bichette

3. George Springer

4. Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Right now, Springer is first, Bichette second, and Vladdy is third. Bast’s reasoning is that Springer in third would allow him to use the skillset at the plate many know he has. Additionally, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. would be “protected” insofar as it wouldn’t have to be all on him to bring in runners so regularly.

John Gibbons shares his thoughts on the possible lineup.

“It makes sense but I wouldn’t do it. I kind of like the fact that you get Springer, Bo, and then Vladdy coming out of the gate. When I look back at my time with the club, it was Batista, Donaldson, and Eddy coming right at you.”

The players in question from Gibbons’ time as Toronto’s manager are Jose Bautista, Josh Donaldson, and Edwin Encarnacion, three terrific hitters who were integral to the memorable 2015 and 2016 seasons. Toronto reached the ALCS in both years.

Gibbons continues.

“The argument is you’re moving Whit up, but you’re moving Springer down to a good slot too. Whit is like a classic lead-off hitter from 30 years ago.”

While the former head coach doesn’t think that Bastl’s fantasy batting order would harm the team, he believes that the way the club is set now should translate to the success it wants to achieve. As Gibbons has mentioned before on Pitch Clock, Toronto is in a fight for a Wild Card spot, so things aren’t looking too bad. As previously established, the Blue Jays rank highly in several key statistical categories.