KC Royals: Projecting The 2016 Starting Lineup

The Sixth Hitter

While Christian Colon was a good fit in the number two spot, I don’t think he would be a good fit in a prime RBI slot in the lineup.

Unlike Colon, Moustakas would be a good fit here. Moustakas gives the Royals three lefties in a row that can hit for power against a right-handed pitcher. It also gives Ned Yost the Left-Right-Left order that he likes when facing a lefty.

He only needed 142 at-bats for those 11 long balls compared to 346 at-bats for the ten he hit out of the second spot.

Moustakas hit very well out of the sixth spot last season for the Royals. His batting average was slightly better in the sixth spot than it was in the second spot.

He also hit 11 home runs out of the six-hole than he did following the lead-off man. He only needed 142 at-bats for those 11 long balls compared to 346 at-bats for the ten he hit out of the second spot. His walk rate also went up in that time, but so did his strikeout rate.

Moustakas has proven that he is capable of hitting for average, for power, and can drive in the runs. He is perfect for the middle of the lineup if he doesn’t find his way back into the second spot. I think he or Gordon could both fit in either spot, but I like each of them in these roles slightly better.

Royals’ opening day sixth hitter: Mike Moustakas

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