Phillies: Projected 2020 Starting Lineup, Nos. 1-3 Spots

1: Andrew McCutchen

2019 Stats: .256/.378/.834, 10 HR, 29 RBI, 219 ABs

Projected to bat leadoff for the Phillies in 2020 is outfielder Andrew McCutchen. McCutchen had his 2019 season cut short after tearing his left ACL. He later would undergo surgery to repair the injury.

It was initially unclear whether or not McCutchen will start on Opening Day this year. However, the outfielder recently cleared it up announcing he would be “ready to go” whenever the 60-game season begins.

McCutchen would be a great choice for Girardi to choose to bat leadoff this year. According to Baseball-Reference, the 33-year-old is projected to produce a batting line of .266/.368/.480, in 177 at-bats, with nine home runs and 26 RBI.

With the season shortened to just 60 games, it’d be interesting to see if the outfielder can produce the numbers he is projected to over a shortened amount of games, as opposed to a full 162-game season.

The veteran left-fielder started in 47 games, before tearing his ACL which effectively ended his season prematurely for Philadelphia last season; so, it’s no doubt that he has the capability and offensive power to bat leadoff for the team this year.

Batting leadoff is something that McCutchen is very used to, as he was the main leadoff man for the team before his injury. Even throughout his 11-year career in the MLB, McCutchen has lengthy experience batting leadoff. Now, he is complemented with a stacked lineup, including J.T. Realmuto and Bryce Harper batting after him.

It would be very intriguing to see McCutchen continue to lead the order — hoping he doesn’t get injured again throughout the 60-game season.