With Gary Sanchez Back, What Does Yankees Batting Order Look Like?

With Gary Sanchez on the disabled list, the Yankees went 16-2, averaging over six runs per game. Now that he’s back, where does he hit in the order?

The Yankees begin what should be a thoroughly entertaining three-game set against the defending Chicago Cubs on Friday afternoon.

To make matters that much more exciting for fans of the Evil Empire is the fact that Yankees’ starting catcher, Gary Sanchez will be back in uniform, after missing 18 games due to a strained right biceps muscle.

In Sanchez’s absence, 25-year-old rookie outfielder Aaron Judge has picked up the mantle as the team’s most feared hitter. Now that The Kraken is back in the fold, what a 1-2 punch this team possesses!

Taking off for Chicago. See you on the filed, tomorrow. Lets go @Yankees. #iamback #iamgary
— Gary Sanchez (@ElGarySanchez) May 4, 2017

FYI, no, I’m not advocating that these Baby Bombers bat first and second in the lineup. But it does bring up a valid question: where does manager Joe Girardi place Sanchez and Judge in his ever-rotating batting order.

The Yankees have used 24 different lineups already this season. Only twice did Girardi use the same set.

Before Sanchez hit the DL, he saw a number of games in the No. 2 hole. While I understand that you want your best hitter to get more opportunities at the plate per game — therefore moving them higher in the order (Mike Trout of the Angels has batted either first or second for the majority of his career), I’m not a fan of putting a legitimate run producer in a spot customarily reserved for someone who hits to the opposite field — often times sacrificing himself to move runners over — ala Derek Jeter.

Girardi began his experiment batting Sanchez second back in Spring Training. But that was well before anyone could have predicted that six different Yankees would currently be hitting .301 or higher. Even Aaron Hicks and Jacoby Ellsbury find themselves in the .280s.

This weekend, the Cubs will start the series with Kyle Hendricks on the hill, and then follow with back-to-back lefties — Brett Anderson and Jon Lester.

Obviously, depending on the matchup, Girardi will again differentiate his batting order.

As I write this, we’re still 3.5 hours away from first pitch, and the Yankees have just released their lineup. So I’ll beat give you Girardi’s and then mine:

Girardi’s Lineup:

LF – Brett Gardner
CF – Aaron Hicks
C – Gary Sanchez
2B – Starlin Castro
RF – Aaron Judge
SS – Didi Gregorius
3B – Chase Headley
1B – Chris Carter
P – Michael Pineda

Mine:

LF – Brett Gardner
3B – Chase Headley
C – Gary Sanchez
RF – Aaron Judge
1B – Matt Holliday
2B – Starlin Castro
SS – Didi Gregorius
CF – Aaron Hicks
P – Michael Pineda

I don’t hate Girardi’s lineup, I just like mine better. Facts are, I’m glad to see Sanchez hitting third.

Hicks and Headley are basically interchangeable switch-hitters — minus their efficiency on the base paths, so I understand moving Hicks up to No. 2 — though, with Carter batting ninth, should he get on, he clogs up the basepaths in a major way — which is why I like Hicks as a second leadoff hitter, per say.

Yes, Castro has been as hot as any second baseman in baseball, but I’d rather have Judge protecting Sanchez, who could very well be rusty in his first game back. Also, with the added pressure that Castro may place on himself in his first game back at Wrigley Field, I’d drop him down a few notches.

In an NL park, I’d get Holliday’s bat in the lineup at all costs. And if that means sitting Carter, well, then that’s just a bonus. Gregorius is still finding himself since coming off the DL, so the seven slot is good for now.

Next: Jeter Praises Judge

All in all, there aren’t may negative things to say about the 17-9, first place Yankees. Let’s just hope Pineda, Jordan Montgomery and Luis Severino pitch like they’ve been, and give the offense time to get into the flow of a National League style contest.

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