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KC Royals: It’s Time for Ned Yost to Choose a New Leadoff Man

By Jackson Stone

Mar 18, 2017; Surprise, AZ, USA; Kansas City Royals left fielder Alex Gordon (4) reacts during an at bat during the first inning against the Cleveland Indians at Surprise Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 18, 2017; Surprise, AZ, USA; Kansas City Royals left fielder Alex Gordon (4) reacts during an at bat during the first inning against the Cleveland Indians at Surprise Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /
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Lorenzo Cain

KC Royals
Apr 18, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals center fielder Lorenzo Cain (6) reacts after hitting a single in the tenth inning of the game against the San Francisco Giants at Kauffman Stadium. The Giants won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports /

This selection could be seen as a weird one, and I get that. Lorenzo should be in the third or fourth spot driving in runs, and I understand that argument. However, he can’t drive in runs if no one is on base. Cain only has three RBI’s through the first 14 games, despite an average of .347. This is why putting him at the top of the order to get more people on the base paths could be exactly what the Royals need to get more runs across the plate. Leading the team in walks with 12, twice as many as anyone else, a disciplined hitter at the top of the lineup could help the team feed off of his production.

Although not a power threat, Cain has better than average speed that allows him to get infield hits; a trait Gordon doesn’t possess. In eight less at bats this season than Gordon, Cain has gotten six more hits and struck out two less times. Until the Royals consistently get men on for Lorenzo to drive in, maybe they should look for him to be the rally starter.

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