The New York Yankees have made a habit this season of putting unconventional choices in the leadoff spot.
That’s where Cody Bellinger finds himself on Saturday.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone opted to put Bellinger atop the lineup because of how it impacts the rest of the order.
“Somebody’s got to go there,” Boone told reporters. “I kind of like Rice in there behind Judge right now. He’s done it in the past. Hopefully he can set a tone for us today.”
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Aaron Judge remains in his No. 2 spot, with the red-hot Ben Rice behind him.
Paul Goldschmidt and Austin Wells, who have each batted leadoff this season, slot in to the Nos. 4 and 5 spots in the order.
Bellinger is a great athlete, but certainly more of a power threat than a speed guy.
His placement atop the order is extra curious because of his recent struggles. Bellinger is hitting just .204 this season with three homers. His on-base percentage is an abysmal .281.
Maybe a different perspective will get Bellinger going, though.
The Tampa Bay Rays are starting righty Zack Littell (5.03 ERA), who is certainly someone Bellinger will have a chance to hit hard.
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There’s another thing about the leadoff spot that goes without saying too often.
Bellinger will lead off the first inning. He may never be the leadoff hitter in an inning again the rest of the game. The leadoff guy is just guaranteed to leadoff once.
And when Bellinger steps in to start the bottom of the first, the Yankees will be hoping for big things.
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