Stanton went 2-for-3 batting out of the three-hole Sunday in a win against the Cardinals. "I like him hitting there," Manager Mike Redmond told the Palm Beach Post, indicating that the slugger could stick at that position during the regular season.
Giancarlo has functioned as the Marlins primary cleanup hitter over the past two seasons but it appears his time batting fourth may be nearing an end. With a lack of lineup protection, Stanton will be hard-pressed to find quality pitches regardless of his lineup position but the handful of extra at-bats he will get in the three-spot certainly can't hurt. He remains one of the premiere power threats in the league after mashing 71 home runs over the past two seasons.
