Changes to the batting order should still be considered for the Blue Jays even after their latest win

While Bichette and Guerrero Jr.’s averages have been solid, both are above .270, Santander has floundered, hitting below the Mendoza Line. The lack of power is the more concerning area, though, as the team’s run production has taken a hit without it. He is a notoriously slow starter, so his bat may come around in May, but that’s a gamble the Jays may not want to flirt with, considering they are already under .500.

It raises the question of why manager John Schneider has refused to change the batting order.

Back in February, he told Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi, “I’ve talked to George (Springer) a little bit and I’ll talk to him more when he gets in, but one through nine is kind of an open book right now. Not just with George, with everyone – Bo (Bichette), Vlad (Guerrero Jr.), Anthony (Santander), (Alejandro) Kirk – just to see where it all kind of flows correctly.”

Yet, for almost the entire 2025 season to this point, Bichette has been locked in at the one spot, with Guerrero Jr. and Santander at two and three, respectively.

Trying other players higher in the batting order may be enough of a change to break the offence’s woes. Sliding Guerrero Jr. and Santander down a couple spots would put them back in the middle of the order, where they’ve spent most of their careers. Potentially putting George Springer back in the leadoff spot, where he has considerable experience, might help Bichette find some power away from leading off.

Daulton Varsho had two hits including a home run in his second game back from injury and could also be an option to move further up the order, while sliding Andres Gimenez up to the one or two slots may break his struggles (he’s currently under the Mendoza Line) as that would make him hit with less traffic on the bases and therefore less pressure.

Kirk has been hitting well lately (six hits in his last four games) and could be another candidate to move up, and Addison Barger desperately needs more at-bats to adjust to big league pitching, something that won’t happen with odd appearances at the bottom of the lineup card.

It goes to show that the team has options to slide around and experiment with, yet Schneider and hitting coach David Popkins have refused to budge on the top of the order.

While small changes like this may not make an immediate massive impact, one of the most important parts of baseball is the ability to adapt and change, something the Jays have not done despite their lack of pop at the plate. It’s something that can build upon a strong showing on Wednesday and continue the momentum at the plate.

Perhaps Wednesday was the breakthrough win that the team needed, but if it was a one-off, changes need to be made. One of the easiest places to start would certainly be shuffling the top of the batting order.