Cubs Insider · Dec 29, 2017
Cubs Quick Hits: Plate Appearances with RISP, Runners on Base by Batting Order Slot
How many times did the cleanup hitter bat with runners in scoring position and men on base in 2017 for the Cubs? Lots.
But some of the other numbers might surprise you. In particular, the eighth hitter in the lineup had the third-most plate appearances with runners in scoring position last season. And the leadoff and second hitters essentially had the same number of plate appearances with RISP.
While the plate appearances with RISP are weird, the quantity of appearances with any runners on followed a more traditional pattern. Cubs cleanup hitters batted most often with runners on base and the difference between the leadoff and second slot was a stark 52 plate appearances.