Why Machado Should Stay in the Leadoff Spot

Manny Machado has already made a name for himself as one of the top young third basemen in MLB.

The 22-year-old has wowed viewers with his impressive reels of highlight plays. He has even been gifted with comparisons to Brooks Robinson. Machado’s hitting has also been above average but two knee injuries made it harder for the third baseman to show off his power and to hit above. 300.

The young star struggled early in the season and was used in No. 6 spot in the lineup for a while. However, Showalter decided to move Machado into the leadoff spot after Alejandro De Aza was traded to the Red Sox. The results have been fantastic for the team in many ways.

Machado has batted .310 as the Orioles’ leadoff hitter, including 10 homeruns, 24 RBI’s and six steals, according to ESPN.com. His stat line has given the Orioles a surge in runs and pulled the team back into contention in the AL East.

The move to leadoff has helped Machado’s power, as he’s already tied his career-high 14-homerun total. He’s also looked more relaxed at the plate and been more active on the base paths with 11 steals (another career high).

Some fans have suggested that Machado moves down to the No. 3 or No. 4 spot in the lineup in order to drive in more runs. It may sound good on paper but the third baseman seems to have found a home at the leadoff spot.

Machado has been able to benefit at the leadoff spot by keeping a relaxed approach at the plate and seeing more pitches. It has given him the ability to see the ball a lot better than he was earlier in the season. He doesn’t seem to feel pressured at the plate.

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Moving Machado out of the leadoff spot might take him out of his groove and the Orioles also don’t have any better options. Nolan Reimold isn’t an option right now and David Lough would be the only other logical choice.

Showalter made a great move at making Machado the Orioles’ leadoff hitter and he should remain there the rest of the season. He’s shown off all the offensive tools at the spot that the Orioles saw in him when they drafted him and he’s taking the next step in his career.

We saw just how good Machado is with his glove and now we’re seeing just how well the young star can hit thanks to a simple move to the top of the lineup.