The Atlanta Braves Get Elite Production from 9-hole

The Atlanta Braves have not missed having the pitcher in the nine-spot in the lineup as they've gotten great production there in the last year-plus.

Author:
Jake Mastroianni
Apr 12, 2023 12:34 PM EDT

While the Atlanta Braves haven't gotten great production from the designated hitter spot since it was introduced into the National League, they have benefited greatly by not having the pitcher in the nine spot.

Last year the Brave benefited greatly from having Michael Harris II batting in the ninth spot for a lot of the season. When batting in the nine-spot of the order last year, Harris slashed .303/.337/.533 with 12 home runs in 64 games.

Vaughn Grissom only played 4 games in the nine-hole last year, but hit .417.

Over the entire season, the Braves nine-hole hitter ranked first in average (.269), first in slugging (.468), first in OPS (.789), and first in home runs (26). And they were second in OBP (.321).

It's only been 12 games in 2023, but they're on pace to once again have an elite hitter at the bottom of the order. Right now they're tops in baseball with a 1.016 OPS and .400 average.

Orlando Arcia has benefitted the most this year with a .391 average and 1.049 OPS in 6 games when batting ninth. Sam Hilliard has 15 at-bats in the nine-spot this year and is batting .400.

A big part of the reason for this likely has to do with the fact these players are essentially batting in front of Ronald Acuña Jr.

These hitters have to know they're getting a fastball in a hitter's count, as no pitcher wants to allow a free pass and then face the top of the Braves' order.

But credit to the hitters that have been batting ninth for the Braves as they've gotten it done and it's been a huge reason why the offense has been so successful over the past year.

It's even better when you have someone in the nine-hole with speed to get on for those guys.

Bottom line, if there is a Braves' hitter who is struggling, then perhaps give them a shot at the bottom of the lineup to see if that gets them going. Because no matter who they've put there lately, that player has almost immediately become elite.