Colorado Rockies: Here’s why Nolan Arenado batting second is good

The Colorado Rockies are trying something new early on this spring training. Superstar Nolan Arenado has been batting second in Bud Black’s batting order.

In a singular game over 162 games, batting orders aren’t sometime to get mad online about. Though, over a full Major League Baseball season an optimized lineup could add up to somewhere between one and four more wins.

That’s worth roughly more money than Daniel Murphy cost the Colorado Rockies, so it’s a small thing that could add up. In fact, one could make an easy argument that Charlie Blackmon‘s marvelous 2017 season spent in the leadoff spot, put Colorado over the top for the final playoff spot in the National League.

An optimized lineup may start at the top and the most valuable spot is right behind that at two. Given that Nolan Arenado is the best and most consistent Rockies hitter—producer of a wRC+ of 120 or better in each of the past four seasons—batting him second could be very helpful for the Rockies.

"“Whatever helps the team win,” Arenado said to MLB.com before Sunday’s game — his fifth appearance in the No. 2 slot in as many Cactus League games. “We’ve talked about it — trying to get used to it in Spring Training. That’s why I’m hitting there right now.”"

Not only does it fit new school baseball but it actually fits old school thinking as well. With Blackmon a lefty, Arenado a righty, Murphy a lefty, Trevor Story a righty and David Dahl a lefty, the five hitting in that order would be a late game matchup nightmare.

"“It’s taking a little time. I’m still not used to it, but I don’t think it’s a bad thing. A lot of good players hit second, and [Black] wants me to get better pitches. They think that’s what’s going to happen, and I guess they have the homework to prove that.”"

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Arenado has started at second in the order just 22 times in his nearly 1,000 game career and has not done it since 2015.

Mike Trout and other team’s stars bat second as well. Long gone are the days of the second hitting moving the leadoff guy further around the bases.

"“I hope I’m not hitting-and-running; I hope I’m just hitting,” Arenado said."

So may we actually see Arenado’s 503 RBI from the past four seasons move up the order and he pass the baton to others on his club.

"“Why not?” Black told MLB.com. “Why not a regular game? We may be trying it out. You like that? Charlie-Nolan-Murphy. We can talk about it moving forward, what we’re thinking. … If you can imagine, we talk about these things.”"

On top of this if Arenado batted second all year, he would get around 15 more plate appearances. Which would give him more opportunities to end games late at Coors Field where he has a career 159 wRC+ in high leverage situations.

"“It’s more having those at-bats late in the game,” Arenado said. “That’s kind of what we’re going for.”"

This should be good for the Rockies and the addition of Murphy allows it. At the very least, if you play fantasy baseball the few extra plate appearances should makeup for the few RBI Murphy and Story steal from Arenado.