When I was a kid and turned on the TV to watch a baseball game, it was very common to see a case like this, the first batter got on base and the second batter bunted. Until today, we can still see this case in some leagues. Previously, the player who bats second is usually good at handling bats, so he can bunt or hit, the main goal of the second batter is to move the runner. However, things are quite different these days, each team normally let the team’s best hitter or a player with speed, power and a high on-base percentage bat second. For example, we see Aaron Judge frequently bat second in the Yankees lineup. It’s been almost a month since the 2021 season began. Let’s see who’s the most dangerous hitter when batting second.
Alex Verdugo was traded to the Red Sox before the 2020 spring training and he had a very good 2020, slashing .308/.367/.478. In this season, Verdugo seems to be much better and he’s a good choice to bat second. Currently, Verdugo has 26 hits when batting second.
Ty France was traded to the Mariners last August and he was batting .302/.362/.453 in 23 games in the Mariners uniform last season. Ty France is off to a good start in 2021 and he collects 25 hits when batting second.
World Series MVP Corey Seager is kinda cooling down these days and he only batted .188/.212/.344 last 7 games. Nonetheless, Seager is doing well so far in 2021 and batting .267/.351/.465 with 23 hits when batting second.
Shohei Ohtani only slashed .190/.291/.366 in the 2020 season, however, Ohtani bounces back this season. He’s healthy and can pitch without restrictions. Also, don’t forget that Ohtani is a dangerous hitter. He has 16 RBI already in this season. Additionally, Corey Seager has 15 RBI when batting second.
It’s Nick Castellanos’ 9th season in the major league. He signed a 4-year deal with the Reds last year, however, his first season in Cincinnati didn’t go well. Castellanos only batted .225/.298/.486 in 2020, but, he’s off to a hot start in 2021 and has 14 RBI when batting second in 2021.
Nick Castellanos has crushed 7 home runs so far. Who else also blasts 7 home runs? Ronald Acuna Jr., Nelson Cruz, Eduardo Escobar, J.D. Martinez, Ryan McMahon, Fernando Tatis Jr. and don't forget this guy, Shohei Ohtani. These are the players who are leading in home runs.
Rhys Hoskins is currently hitting .208/.247/.506 when batting second and he already crushed 6 homers so far. Hoskins blasted 34 home runs in the 2018 season and it’ll be interesting to see whether it’s another season with 30+ HR.
The Astros fans must be happy that the team didn’t let Michael Brantley go. Brantley is one of the most consistent players in the league and in 2021, there’s little doubt that he can hit well. He’s currently hitting .365/.411/.692 when batting second and his OPS is over 1.000.
In addition, Shohei Ohtani and Nick Castellanos each post an over .960 OPS when batting second thus far in 2021.
We see several top hitters who have a brilliant start when batting second so far in 2021. However, some players have not done much when batting second. For example, Francisco Lindor is currently hitting .207/.329/.276 as being the second hitter in the Mets lineup. Moreover, 6-time All-Star Paul Goldschmidt only hits .236/.276/.347 when batting second. Do they need time to heat up? Maybe it’s better for Goldschmidt to bat third or to be a cleanup hitter?
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