Polanco could profile as a decent number 9 hitter, but they've made it pretty clear that's Buxton's spot when he comes back, and I don't think there would be much impact with moving him there in the short term. I also don't think it would be beneficial to put him in the mix with a struggling Cron and guys like Schoop and Cave. He's been slumping but he's still one of our top 3 or 4 OBP guys, and I think a switch hitter with that skill that the lineup mostly lacks would go to waste at the bottom of the order. I'd expect something like a .280 average and at least a .330 OBP the rest of the way. Sandwiched between Kepler and Cruz is a great place for a player like that.

I would like to see Arraez in the ledoff or second spot. He works the pitcher a lot more than anyone, and also ahs the ability to put the ball in play. Isn't that what you want at the top of the order?

Polancho is also our best hitte at the moment. So seems logical that he needs to be near the top of the lineup.

If we argue for Kepler, maybe he should be batting third. But Cruz has been dynamite in that position. Still, we have waaaay too many solo home runs. Isn't the buzz to put homerun hitters in a lineup AFTER guys who get on base? Why your best slugger should be batting fourth, assuming that you may have at least one, if not two batters before him on base?

But once a game happens, the lineup goes array. Different people led off different innings.

But until the opener becomes a mainstay, you still want your opening first inning salvo to be MAKING the opposing pitcher throw a lot of pitches so everyone watching from the dugout will get a good idea of what the guy on the mound might be trying to do.

Polanco (SS)

Arraez (2B)

Cruz (DH)

Kepler (RF)

Sano (3B)

Rosario (LF)

Cron (1B)

Castro ©

Buxton (CF)

or

Garver ©
Polanco (2B)
Cruz (DH)
Kepler (RF)
Sano (3B)
Rosario (LF)
Cron (1B)
Arraez (2B)
Buxton (CF)

Polanco could profile as a decent number 9 hitter, but they've made it pretty clear that's Buxton's spot when he comes back, and I don't think there would be much impact with moving him there in the short term. I also don't think it would be beneficial to put him in the mix with a struggling Cron and guys like Schoop and Cave. He's been slumping but he's still one of our top 3 or 4 OBP guys, and I think a switch hitter with that skill that the lineup mostly lacks would go to waste at the bottom of the order. I'd expect something like a .280 average and at least a .330 OBP the rest of the way. Sandwiched between Kepler and Cruz is a great place for a player like that.

I agree it would be good to see Arraez in the leadoff spot. Teams can play a shift on him because of his bat control. If Buxton ever makes it back let's hope he is still hitting. With Buxton on first and Arraez at bat it could make some pitchers pretty nervous. Buxton should have free reign to run and it probably wouldn't effect Arraez's focus. Put Kepler in the two spot and Polanco is a perfect fit right behind Rosario as a  switch hitting combination power/contact guy.

Buxton

Arraez

Kepler

Cruz

Rosario

Sano

Cron

Garver 

Polanco

"The Twins hot start this year coincided with Jorge Polanco's. Since Polanco has fallen back to earth the Twins once "insurmountable lead" has turned a division front runner into a division contender."  The hot start coincided with every one on the team being hot including the pitchers with the exception of Gonzalez.