Rockies' DJ LeMahieu: 'I don't really care where I hit'
Some players are particular, and even superstitious, about where they bat in the order, but Colorado Rockies second baseman DJ LeMahieu is far from picky about his spot in the lineup.
LeMahieu is having a spectacular season at the plate, hitting .322/.383/.413 with four home runs and 42 RBI, all while bouncing around in the batting order as if manager Walt Weiss were playing Pin the Tail on the Donkey with LeMahieu's name.
The 27-year-old infielder doesn't give too much thought to where he bats in the lineup, whether it's first or last.
"Where I hit in the order doesn't really affect me too much," LeMahieu said. "The only spot that's a lot different for me is the eight-hole. But besides that, if you're not in the eight-hole, it's all the same. I'm pretty comfortable hitting anywhere. My whole career, I've bounced around all the time, so this year is pretty much the same as I've been doing."
LeMahieu has hit in every slot but cleanup this season, notching above a .300 average in all but the No. 5 (1 for 14: .071) and No. 9 (6 for 30: .200) spots.
Despite his partiality against the No. 8 spot, LeMahieu is hitting .410 (32 for 78) with two home runs and 13 RBI in 22 games in the slot.
"He's a pretty good offensive player, period," Weiss said. "He's a good hitter with a rock-solid approach. He doesn't vary from that approach. He has conviction when he steps in the batter's box, playing with a lot of confidence. He's been very valuable for us."
While sluggers Carlos Gonzalez and Nolan Arenado have claimed the cleanup spot for the Rockies this season, Weiss has told LeMahieu he plans to throw him in that slot as well at some point this season.
"He says he's going to try to get me in the four-hole," LeMahieu said. "But I don't really care where I hit. I've done it my whole career. I think some guys like to be in one spot, but that's not the case for me."
(h/t MLB.com)
