The National League All-Star lineup looks a tiny bit odd to me. Luis Arraez bats sixth. Based on 2023 statistics, Arraez ranks second to last to Orlando Arcia in slugging percentage, but first among the nine in OBP. Despite that, the NL is batting him in a power slot. In general, hitters who do a great job getting on base with little power serve as table setters. I would bat Arraez first and Ronald Acuna Jr second, rather than Acuna at the top and Arraez in the sixth hole.

The Lineup Analysis Tool (LAT) puts Arraez at the top of the order often, but it’s not a slam dunk. When Acuna or any one else leads off in the top lineups, Arraez bats ninth. That makes a lot of sense, as Arraez, Acunca, followed by other sluggers looks like table setters followed by big bats most of the times through the order. Sixth seems like the worst spot one could place Arraez.

Note that the player the LAT places in the sixth slot the majority of the time is J.D. Martinez. The Dodgers DH is all power this year, with a .303 OBP and a .570 slugging percentage. In other words, the sixth slot is a power slot.

It’s only an exhibition, and the batters probably get on plate appearance, but Arraez deserves to be showcased early. Batting him and Acuna in the top two slots makes sense and shows off too tremendous talents to start the game.