Coming in to today, the Sox were hitting .283/.343/.474 as a team, but the #1 spot in the batting order has only hit .245/.281/.377. That .281 OBP is good for 27th in the majors out of the lead-off spot. I know it's early, but as long as Hernandez and Arroyo continue to bat lead-off there's no reason we should expect that to change a whole lot.
I like Hernandez and think he's a useful player, but with a .239/.311/.422 career batting line he should be a bottom of the order hitter. Arroyo's off to a nice start, and I suppose he's young enough that a big step forward is still theoretically possible, but the most likely outcome is he settles in to the ever-critical role of being the third-best utility guy on the roster.
Verdugo led off a lot last year which seemed to work well, but moving him up this year would mean either weakening the #2 spot or moving Martinez/Bogaerts/Devers from 3-4-5 to 2-3-4 (which Cora seems resistant to doing). Maybe give Vazquez a shot at batting second?
I know batting order doesn't matter much, but it continues to bug me a little that one of the team's worst hitters continues to get the most plate appearances.
I also know it's early to start thinking about trades, but adding a 2B or CF who can bat at the top of the order seems like it would be a meaningful addition.
I like Hernandez and think he's a useful player, but with a .239/.311/.422 career batting line he should be a bottom of the order hitter. Arroyo's off to a nice start, and I suppose he's young enough that a big step forward is still theoretically possible, but the most likely outcome is he settles in to the ever-critical role of being the third-best utility guy on the roster.
Verdugo led off a lot last year which seemed to work well, but moving him up this year would mean either weakening the #2 spot or moving Martinez/Bogaerts/Devers from 3-4-5 to 2-3-4 (which Cora seems resistant to doing). Maybe give Vazquez a shot at batting second?
I know batting order doesn't matter much, but it continues to bug me a little that one of the team's worst hitters continues to get the most plate appearances.
I also know it's early to start thinking about trades, but adding a 2B or CF who can bat at the top of the order seems like it would be a meaningful addition.