A point of contention that has reared its head just two weeks into the season is the subject of Ohtani’s spot in a crowded, powerful lineup. He is already slugging like the most fearsome of clean-up hitters from a position in the batting order that is generally reserved for defensive specialists, role-players, and pitchers who are not two-way superstar rookies. Thus, the topic on many minds has been that of when Scioscia will finally move Ohtani up in the order.
I have written about lineup construction in the past when examining how best to keep Albert Pujols from killing two birds with one stone while Trout is on first base.