Baseball Strategy:Who to Bat Third
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[edit] Rules and Exceptions
Rule 1: This is typically where the best overall hitter on the team would go. Usually the guy who can best combine power with the ability to get hits and hit for average. A manager's ideal situation would be for the leadoff guy to get on base, the two-hitter to move the runner into scoring position and the three-hitter to hit a home run or get the runner home.
- Examples: David Ortiz, Albert Pujols, Alex Rodriguez
- Exceptions: There are some guys who don't hit for a great average that are put in this spot strictly for their ability to hit homers, as hitters in the three-spot usually hit with runners on base. Adam Dunn often hits here, but doesn't hit for a good average.
Rule 2: This could also be a guy who can combine a little power with a good ability to get on base. Managers absolutely do not want to get outs from their team's third spot in the order as this is key to starting innings and scoring runs, so they will put an OBP guy here and try to get the big hit from their clean-up hitter.
- Examples: Jermaine Dye (with the White Sox in '05), Carlos Beltran, Michael Young
- Exceptions: Just like the exception to the rule above, some guys will hit here strictly for their power numbers. Sometimes guys will be forced to hit in this hole because they are the only true power hitter on their team. Eric Chavez of Oakland is an example of this.
