TEMPE, Ariz. — With just over a week to go before Opening Day, Ron Washington still isn’t sure what he wants to do about the leadoff spot.
The uncertainty pushed the Angels manager to try Anthony Rendon batting first for Wednesday’s exhibition game.
“Just trying to find some things with the lineup,” Washington said. “I stayed status quo with the lineup throughout the spring and, to be honest with you, I wasn’t impressed with the top of it, the way it was working, so I wanted to try something else.”
Washington said he wanted to try Rendon because he knew he would have a quality at-bat, including seeing more pitches.
Rendon has a career .367 on-base percentage. Even in his mostly disappointing Angels career, Rendon has produced a .359 on-base percentage.
Washington had said earlier in the spring he liked Rendon hitting cleanup – despite his lack of power – because he knew how to drive in runs. Now, it seems he’s more interested in his ability to get on base and see pitches.
Rendon has hit leadoff 36 times in his career, none since 2015.
“Our leadoff hitters are not prototypical leadoff hitters,” Washington said. “I need someone up there that I think will make that pitcher earn his first four or five pitches, instead of the first one being put in play.”
Washington just last week expressed frustration that Luis Rengifo, another of his leadoff hitter choices, was making too many first-pitch outs.
The other candidates in the leadoff spot are outfielders Aaron Hicks and Mickey Moniak.
Hicks has a .524 on-base percentage this spring, with 10 walks in 42 plate appearances. He’s also hitting .375 with two homers, three doubles and a triple. Throughout Hicks’ career, his on-base percentage has been about 100 points higher than his batting average.
“If Rendon is not in there, it would most likely be Hicks,” Washington said. “But Hicks can swing the bat. Hicks has been in situations where he can drive in runs.”
There is still…
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