Colorado Rockies: Looking at some potential batting order tweaks

Absolutely, Charlie Blackmon is one of the game’s most dangerous leadoff hitters. His historic season last year can only cement his role at the top of the lineup. He is the sparkplug that gets the Colorado offense going.

He is also one of Colorado’s best hitters. With this in mind, it brings up the question we have asked before: Should Charlie Blackmon be hitting in the leadoff spot?

Consider a lineup where Blackmon is moved down in the order to take advantage of his power and ability to get on base. Consider a lineup where the speedy Raimel Tapia takes over the leadoff position, allowing Chuck Nazty to shift down.

Colorado Rockies

Think about this…

Raimel Tapia, RF

DJ LeMahieu, 2B

Charlie Blackmon, CF

Nolan Arenado, 3B

Trevor Story, SS

Gerardo Parra, LF

Ryan McMahon, 1B

Chris Iannetta, C

Pitcher

Tapia showed last season that he has the ability to get on base and produce at the plate, going 8-for-20 in September on his way to an overall .288 average in just 160 at-bats. It is very likely that Tapia will be a bigger part of Colorado’s plans in 2018 … and that should include using his speed as a weapon.

Last season, Tapia was named as the fourth-fastest player in Major League Baseball thanks to Statcast measurements. Imagine putting him at the top and allowing him to use that speed with LeMahieu, Blackmon and Arenado coming up.

Blackmon batting third also allows Arenado to move into the cleanup spot. Let’s talk about that now.