GOODYEAR, Ariz – One of the more intriguing and potentially powerful White Sox lineups in recent memory begs the question: How will manager Rick Renteria sort it out and line them up?
Cactus League batting orders should be regarded as thinly as the paper they’re written on, but Renteria leading off with Tim Anderson in the spring opener against the Reds Sunday, coupled with his stated intention of using Anderson or Yoan Moncada in the top two spots seems to suggest the leadoff spot is what he has in mind for the American League batting champion.
Anderson’s favorite place is second, but he said he is on board with what the Sox brain trust deems best. No matter what, Anderson likes what he sees from his perch at the top.
“We got some power guys, some speed guys and some power and speed guys,” Anderson said.
“We have two catchers [Yasmani Grandal and James McCann], and the pitching, and you look at our lineup and it could be fun. We got a chance. Motivate one another, push one another and keep that positive energy rolling and we’ll be just fine.”
Against the Reds Sunday, Renteria batted Anderson, Moncada and Jose Abreu in the top three spots, a trio he seems to like for an upper third. A hint of things to come? Here’s an educated guess on how Renteria will roll with his 2020 lineup:
1. Tim Anderson SS
Leadoff is where it starts, of course, and for the Sox there’s no obvious choice. Moncada’s speed, on-base, power ability to take pitches would fit nicely, but look for Renteria to respect his discomfort level at the very top. Anderson walked 15 times, so he’s far from ideal, but he led the majors with a .335 average, is fast and has some pop.
2. Yoan Moncada 2B
The switch-hitting Moncada would nicely fill the first through fourth spots, but the team’s best all-around hitter is perfect here. Speed and power at the top.
3. Jose Abreu 1B
This is where Abreu, a .293/.330/.503 career hitter and 2019 AL RBI leader (123), has batted 726 times in his career. The next most is 124 in the cleanup spot, where his numbers have been slightly better.
4. Edwin Encarnacion DH
This will work if Encarnacion, who ranks third among active home run leaders with 414 behind Albert Pujols and Miguel Cabrera, records his ninth consecutive season with 30 plus home runs. It might not if he begins to show a decline at age 37.
5. Yasmani Grandal C
A switch-hitter who could bat anywhere in the first six slots, Grandal, like Encarnacion will make pitchers work. Hit career high 28 homers and walked 109 times with Brewers last season while slashing .246/380/.468.
6. Eloy Jimenez LF
If Jimenez becomes the hitter many believe he will be, the No. 6 slot won’t hold him. He led AL rookies with 31 homers, 79 RBI and was second in OPS at .828 and seems primed to take those numbers to another level in his second season.
7. Nomar Mazara RF
Left-handed hitter has hit 20, 20, 20 and 19 homers – including a 504 footer against Reynaldo Lopez last season – in four seasons. More experienced that most 24-year-olds, Sox hoping for a breakout year. Better vs. righties (.271/.337/.462) than lefties (.231/.272/.361) in career.
8. Luis Robert CF
If he’s as good as he projects, this spot won’t hold him for long, but look for Renteria to ease him onto the majors at the bottom of the lineup.
9. Leury Garcia 2B
Fleet primary leadoff man in 2019 batted isn’t a high on-base guy (21 walks) and is better suited for bottom of order. Could be replaced eventually by Nick Madrigal and deepen Renteria’s bench.
