Who's Up First?

All winter long, Andrew McCutchen said his surgically repaired knee would be good to go by Opening Day. Phillies manager Joe Girardi said otherwise. He wants to make sure the veteran outfielder is completely healthy before he sees any regular season action.

So that leaves the Phillies without a leadoff hitter. If the last few games of spring training are any clue, it looks like catcher JT Realmuto might get the job until McCutchen is ready. And I think he's a great choice.

Realmuto does all the things you want a leadoff hitter to do. He gets on base, he runs well, and he doesn't strike out a ton. Scott Kingery could be a good option at some point, but he strikes out way too much. Adam Haseley is another possibility, but I think the Phils would rather leave him lower in the lineup to take pressure off the young outfielder.

So here's my prediction for the Opening Day lineup against the Marlins on March 26.

Realmuto - C
Segura - 3B
Harper - RF
Hoskins - 1B
Gregorius - SS
Jay Bruce/Kyle Garlick - LF
Kingery - 2B
Haseley - CF
Nola - P