Optimizing Runs: Getting Full Value From Your Batting Order

Optimizing Runs: Getting Full Value From Your Batting Order

The debate around hitting orders has been a hot topic since Abner Doubleday (or whoever you believe) first thought of our beloved game. It may never be solved, but there are definitely strategies to get the most out of your lineup. For a long time, I had the fairly standard opinion that your 3 hitter was the best, and that the #4 guy was your best power guy. However, after the Yankees acquired Andrew Benintendi, I wanted to see where he would fit in my teams order. I started researching batting orders based on sabermetrics. This is what I learned:

#1: Leadoff man

This is a classic choice adopted by many teams. Your #1 hitter should get on base, steal another one, and then score. He should lead your team in OBP, SB and Runs. Its a tried and true strategy, so try to find the perfect leadoff man.

Important Ratings/Stats to watch: CON, SPD, OBP, SB, RUNS

MLB Comp: Trea Turner

#2: 5 tool guy (Your best overall hitter)

For a long time, the casual baseball fan thought that your best player should hit 3rd. It makes sense! The 3rd hitter will have runners on base, while still getting plenty of at-bats. However, as we entered the stats era, analysts found that is simply not the case. In fact, #3 hitters have the highest percentage of at-bats with NOBODY ON AND 2 OUTS. Not exactly an ideal situation for your best hitter. But the #2 slot works better. He can drive in the leadoff man, while still getting on base for your power hitters at 3, 4 and 5. This player should be extremely well balanced, capable of almost anything in your lineup.

Ratings/Stats to Watch: CON, POW, XBH, OPS, RBI

MLB Comp: Mike Trout

#3: 5th Best Hitter (Behind 1, 2, 4 and 5)

As I mentioned earlier, the #3 hitter can have opportunities presented by hitters #1 and 2, but they are just as likely to be facing a situation with little value. Thus, your #3 hitter doesn’t really have a specific role. He just exists. Since he is hitting 3rd he will get more at-bats than other slots. For this spot in the order, pick a player that doesn’t fit perfectly in any other archetype, but is still capable of producing value in his extra at bats.

Ratings/Stats: Anything you think is important

MLB Comp: Gleyber Torres

#4: Power Hitter (Cleanup)

When many people think of the #4 spot, they think of HRs galore. However, that isn’t the only thing #4 hitters need to do. Yes, they must drive in runs with their moonshots, but many times they are up with 2 outs, and swinging for the fences isn’t the best idea. A strikeout to end a rally can be a momentum killer for your team. The #4 hitter also may need to leadoff after a 1-2-3 inning, and having Joey Gallo up with the bases empty isn’t valuable. Try to find a guy with 90s power, but make sure he has high contact as well, so he isn’t striking out in crucial moments.

Ratings/Stats: CON, POW, HR, RBI, SLG%

MLB Comp: Yordan Alvarez

#5: TEAM DEPENDENT (4th Best Hitter)

The #5 hitter is basically up to the manager’s style (and $). If you enjoy the HR style and have the money to support (Hey Bombers), another hitter like #4 can work perfectly fine. For teams that prefer the small ball style or don’t have the money to acquire top players, a player like #1 or #2 can be very useful. If you don’t have a specific style, your number 5 hitter should be your 4th best overall hitter

Ratings/Stats: Anything that is important

#6: Hybrid

This is a more personal preference for me, but I like my #6 hitter to be a hybrid between #1 and #2. The #6 hitter will often get up with 0 or 1 outs in the 2nd inning, and having a versatile player that can get any job done is very valuable in this position. Otherwise, pick your style (HR, Small-Ball, OVR Talent).

Ratings Stats: CON, SLG, OPS, RBI, OBP

MLB Comp: Jose Altuve

The Rest:

For Hitters 7-9, you should generally put the players ranked by OVR talent. Have your worst hitter (or pitcher) hitting 9th. I am a free team, but when I use the DH, I like to have a leadoff style hitter in the 9-hole to get on base for the top of the order.

Here is an article mirroring my thoughts, with better detail. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND YOU READ THIS: https://www.beyondtheboxscore.com/2009/3/17/795946/optimizing-your-lineup-by

TO SUMMARIZE: Put your best hitters in the #1, #4 and #2 spots. Prioritize OBP at the top of the order and SLG in the middle. Put your 4th and 5th best hitters at the #3 and #5 spots, with the better hitter at #5. Then place your remaining hitters in decreasing order of ability, with basestealers ahead of singles hitters


Here is what other teams think about finding the right lineup:

“The best I can say is to experiment and don’t always expect a lineup to work no matter how well you think you’ve placed each player.”

“I mainly just place who is the hottest batter in third so that he can hit a 3 run homer”

“I place the second hottest guy in 1st so that he can either get on base or hit a lead-off homer to give me a comfortable lead. I put the coldest guys in the bottom because they are, to me, considered the "weak zone"

“I often try to keep the lineup consistent, but if I need a shakeup I'll move my best OBP guy to the #1 and the best OPS guys to 2/3/4. The rest I usually leave up to BA and roster swaps. I'll almost always put a new addition to the lineup in the 9 hole”

“I put my best hitter 3rd usually. My best obp hitters are at the top of the lineup.”

“Well I generally put higher contact/avg guys who don’t hit as many homers first, second, and ninth, and then the big boppers 3-5”

“But also some guys just hit better in certain spots in the lineup. Like for instance I have a guy who does amazing when he’s hitting in the leadoff spot, but if I put him anywhere else he sucks. So sometimes it’s just about where your hitter does the best.”


Ultimately, you can find success in FB doing your own thing. Maybe this article will change your mind. Or maybe it won’t. AND THAT’S OK. That’s what makes baseball so unique. 2 different managers going head to head with completely different strategies, with a different outcome every single time.

A big thank you to St. Johns Deadly Sins, San Diego Bombers, Roanoke Colonists, Houston Astronauts and Anchorage Aces for sharing their thoughts for this article!

Feel free to comment your own unique strategies below!

-Seattle Cyclones