Atlanta Braves: assessing the leadoff and cleanup lineup spots for 2019

Cleanup Requirements

The cleanup spot in the lineup is pretty self-explanatory. The fourth batter in a batting lineup needs to be able to “clean up the bases” and drive in the runners that got on base to begin with.

This doesn’t necessarily have to be a guy that hits 40 homers a season, but it needs to be a guy that can barrel up the ball and at least hit for extra base hits, as it’s hard to knock guys in with singles.

I’m gonna go back to Sky Kalkman’s piece and show you his description for the optimal cleanup hitter:

"The old-school book says to put your big power bat here, probably a guy with a low batting average, who will hit the big multi-run homeruns. The Book says the #4 hitter comes to bat in the most important situations out of all nine spots, but is equal in importance to the #2 hole once you consider the #2 guy receives more plate appearances. The cleanup hitter is the best hitter on the team with power."

Just like his definition for lead-off hitters, his take on the cleanup hitter is pretty simple. The best hitter and most powerful hitter should bat in the cleanup spot.

Whether you think most powerful is home runs only, or just the ability to hit extra-base hits – the fourth batter needs to consistently do one of the two.

Which Braves’ hitter is one of the best overall hitters, but also features some of the best power on the team? Just like I did for the lead-off hitters, I will look at some data to help determine who is best.