Red Sox: Xander Bogaerts cleaning up
By Sean Penney
The Boston Red Sox have been experimenting with Xander Bogaerts in the cleanup spot this spring, which is typically reserved for power hitters.
What comes to mind when you think of a cleanup hitter in the middle of the lineup? A powerful slugger capable of swatting mammoth home runs is likely what your mind would jump to as the ideal candidate. Get the first three batters on base so that the guy hitting fourth can drive them all in with a grand slam, that’s the dream beginning to any game.
Are the Boston Red Sox trying to redefine what a No. 4 hitter should be?
Lately manager John Farrell has been experimenting with the unorthodox strategy of hitting shortstop Xander Bogaerts fourth in the lineup, with the powerful bat of David Ortiz typically in front of him. At first glance this appears backwards, but perhaps there is a method to this madness.
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Bogaerts has yet to show the type of power typically associated with a cleanup hitter. Last year American League teams averaged 28 home runs and a .800 OPS from the No. 4 spot in the lineup, while Bogaerts hit only 7 homers with a .776 OPS. Those are great numbers for a shortstop, but well below average for a cleanup hitter.
After beginning the 2015 season near the bottom of the lineup, Bogaerts quickly proved himself to be worthy of climbing his way toward the top. His 340 at-bats in the No. 3 spot were by far the most he accumulated at any spot in the order, with only 4 appearances hitting cleanup.
Next: Putting Big Papi third