Baseball Prospectus: Jo Adell was Cleveland’s Game 6 cleanup hitter
Jo Adell served as the designated hitter and cleanup man for the Cleveland franchise in Game 6 against the Tampa Bay Rays, filling a high-pressure lineup spot as the team fell two wins short of a pennant, according to an analysis published by Baseball Prospectus.
Cleveland Follows Pattern of Shifting Cleanup Hitters
The reliance on Adell in the cleanup role mirrors a multi-year pattern for Cleveland in late-stage postseason play. In 2022, Oscar Gonzalez rose to the no. 4 spot in the lineup during the American League Division Series against the New York Yankees after hitting a walk-off home run in the Wild Card Series against the Rays. Two years later, Lane Thomas moved into the cleanup position during the American League Championship Series, again against the Yankees, following a strong performance in the ALDS victory over the Detroit Tigers. Last fall, young first baseman Kyle Manzardo took the cleanup spot in an elimination game before struggling so severely that he spent the final two months of the campaign with Triple-A Columbus.
Four Players Represent Different Roster Construction Archetypes
Baseball Prospectus notes that these four players represent disparate roster construction archetypes. Gonzalez arrived as a medium-dollar international free agent who eventually provided homegrown value. Thomas functioned as a platoon bat deployed specifically against left-handed starting pitching. Manzardo entered the organization as a high-profile prospect intended to anchor first base for the foreseeable future. Adell arrived via an in-season trade, stepping into the cleanup role against a right-handed starting pitcher simply because the roster lacked alternatives.
None of the four players maintained the performance level required of an elite cleanup hitter during the seasons they were assigned the role, and their offensive production declined significantly in the subsequent campaigns. The recurring sequence highlights a persistent offensive shortfall in filling the middle of the order during deep postseason runs.
Disclaimer: The insights provided in this article are for informational and entertainment purposes only and do not constitute medical advice or sports betting recommendations.