Baker looks to avoid Altuve as his leadoff hitter

JUPITER, Fla. — Dusty Baker is adjusting his lineup so that Jose Altuve Don’t be first at bat.

The Houston manager moved the three-time American League batting champion to the top of the lineup last season, but says the Venezuelan second baseman feels uncomfortable there.

“Actually, Altuve started because everyone asked him to, not because he’s comfortable there,” Baker said. “You assume he’s starting because he’s shorter. That’s not right. I want guys to feel comfortable where they hit.”

Baker thinks Altuve’s free-swinging approach is better suited to second place in the order.

“This guy comes up to bat,” Baker said. “There are a lot of times, if he gets one out on the first pitch, then that second hitter has to take the next pitch, or the pitcher has two pitches and two outs in the first inning.”

The 31-year-old second baseman hit leadoff in all 144 games he started last season, leading the Astros to their third World Series appearance in five years. In his career, the seven-time All-Star has started 530 games as a second, six times more than as a leadoff hitter.

Altuve mostly hit second during the Astros’ run to the World Series in 2019. He hit third 104 times in 2017, the year Houston won its title and Altuve was named AL MVP. Baker has placed Altuve second in all three of his Grapefruit League appearances this spring.

“If I’m first, I’m first,” Altuve said. “If I hit second, I hit second. I don’t care. I really enjoy playing in this lineup.”

Altuve’s .308 career batting average includes 164 home runs. He has also stolen 261 bases, although only 13 of them have come in the last three seasons.

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Josh Donaldson went down the fairway and the ball sailed over the left-field marker.

the shortstop Jeremy Penathe likely replacement for Carlos Correa, was the leadoff hitter on Sunday for the second time since Baker began playing for the major leaguers in Grapefruit League games this spring. He opened the game by hitting the first offer from Miami Marlins pitcher, Jesus Luzardoto left field for a single.

Primarily a No. 2 hitter in the minors, Pena was thrown out trying to steal second before Altuve had his second hit of the spring.

Altuve followed a third-inning single by Peña with a sacrifice fly, driving in the first run of the game.

“It looks good,” Altuve said of Pena. “He’s a great hitter, a great offensive player, a great player overall.”

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Aaron Judge’s first homer went all the way to center field, then he hits his second later in the game.

Baker has also placed the outfielder Chas McCormick as the leadoff hitter this spring.

“I’m trying things out,” Baker said. “That’s what spring training is all about. I’m trying as many things as I can in this short amount of time.”