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Rockies intrigued by Charlie Blackmon hitting in No. 3 spot

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a baseball player holding a bat on a field: Rockies center fielder Charlie Blackmon led the NL with a .331 average last season and also drove in 104 runs. © Isaiah J. Downing, USA TODAY Sports Rockies center fielder Charlie Blackmon led the NL with a .331 average last season and also drove in 104 runs.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- The Colorado Rockies had the National League’s highest scoring offense last season – and two of the game’s top offensive producers in outfielder Charlie Blackmon and third baseman Nolan Arenado.

Both had over 100 runs scored AND 100 RBI – with NL batting champ Blackmon (.331)  accomplishing the feat as a leadoff hitter.

This year, manager Bud Black is looking at putting his two best hitters back-to-back in the lineup.

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“Things will become more clear as we move through March,” Black said, “but it might make sense for us to hit Charlie third.”

In Wednesday’s spring training game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Blackmon hit third in the order – in front of where Arenado would be – with Ian Desmond leading off.

With his .399 on-base percentage and major league-leading 137 runs scored, Blackmon was a fantastic leadoff man. However, he also hit 37 home runs – 24 of them (or 65%) with the bases empty.

“We feel good about Charlie anywhere, but the way our roster might be constructed, it might make the most sense for him to hit third with the potential of a couple guys on in front of him,” Black said.

Moving him down in the order could add significantly to Blackmon’s RBI total of 104 last year. And it could give Arenado even more RBI opportunities, after he finished second in the majors with 130.

Arenado tied for seventh last season with 156 at-bats with runners in scoring position. He hit .385 in those situations, second only to Daniel Murphy’s .409. (Blackmon ranked third with a .383 average.)

Yes, someone will still need to fill the leadoff spot, but the idea of having two of the game’s best hitters next to each other in a potent offense could be hazardous to opposing pitchers.

Follow Gardner on Twitter @SteveAGardner

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