With the Yankees in desperate need of a spark offensively, C-Mac is once again clamoring for Juan Soto to be moved to the leadoff spot to give him the most at-bats on the team, and set the table for the heart of the order with his elite on-base ability.
“I don’t understand the obsession with the ‘prototypical’ leadoff hitter. Unfortunately, it’s gone the way of the dodo for the most part,” C-Mac said. “I understand the Yankees in particular are unathletic in many ways…I don’t know why everyone feels like they need speed and this or that. Rickey Henderson isn’t walking through the door. Some of the best teams in baseball have unique leadoff hitters, including a guy who can’t run in Kyle Schwarber in Philadelphia.”
Schwarber leading off has worked out for the Phillies, and C-Mac wants to see the Yankees move up Soto in the order, who is much better at getting on base than Soto. Sure, he doesn’t steal bases, but nobody on the Yankees has, and at least Soto will put together tough at-bats and get on base, even when things aren’t going well.
“Nobody is suggesting hitting Soto leadoff? Its crazy?” C-Mac said. “You would rather have Ben Rice hit leadoff than Juan Soto? Why? Explain that to me.
“Mr. on-base percentage himself, a guy who has a .420 on-base percentage while he’s slumping. Why can’t he be the leadoff hitter?”