​There are just a few days left before the All-Star break, and it’s a good moment to review every team’s lineup for trends that could carry into the second half. Nolan Arenado has dropped into the bottom third of the order after spending mid-May through mid-June hitting cleanup. Max Kepler and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. are sharing left field and designated hitter duties, though neither is an everyday player. Ildemaro Vargas is drawing starts all over the infield, but not nearly as frequently as he did earlier this season.
Tyler Soderstrom sat against a lefty on Thursday, likely just a rest precaution after coming off the IL this week. Joshua Kuroda-Grauer has started every game since his June 29 call-up, posting a .500 BABIP through nine games. Henry Bolte remains the true everyday center fielder. Lawrence Butler is platooning with Colby Thomas.
Michael Harris II has returned to the leadoff spot this week, with Drake Baldwin batting cleanup. Mauricio Dubón has started every game since June 3. Austin Riley has settled in at sixth or seventh for a while now. The new one-two-three against right-handed pitching is Gunnar, Adley, and Taylor Ward, who had previously hit only leadoff. Colton Cowser and Dylan Beavers are strong-side platoon hitters sharing positions with Leody Taveras and Tyler O’Neill.
The search for a leadoff hitter continues, with Anthony Seigler the latest to get a look. Mickey Gasper, Masataka Yoshida, and Nate Eaton have also filled the role over the past month. Ceddanne Rafaela has been the everyday two-hitter since late May. Romy González is off the IL and starting against all lefties.
There has been plenty of consistency lately. The one non-catcher spot not filled by an everyday player is right field or designated hitter, depending on where Seiya Suzuki is in the lineup. Michael Conforto draws most of those opportunities against right-handers. Kyle Teel has hit in the 1-4 spots against right-handed pitching since coming off the IL but drops down against lefties. Braden Montgomery has sat twice since being called up on June 9. Andrew Benintendi and Randal Grichuk platoon at DH. Munetaka Murakami is expected back from his hamstring injury on Friday.
Noelvi Marte remains the primary right fielder, though he’ll occasionally be spelled so Nathaniel Lowe can enter the lineup, with several others shifting around positionally. Edwin Arroyo has become the primary second baseman over Matt McLain. Chase DeLauter has started against all five lefties since coming off the IL in a banged-up lineup. Former top prospect Kahlil Watson is getting as many outfield starts as he can handle since being called up in mid-June. Steven Kwan remains a bottom-of-the-order bat and doesn’t start every day.
Across the board, Cole Carrigg has hit 3-5 over the past week. Kyle Karros has been the everyday third baseman while staying hot at the plate. Ezequiel Tovar continues to hit in the bottom third of the lineup in what has been a disappointing campaign. James Outman is the center fielder in the lineup, a strategic choice for search engine optimization and broader recognition.