San Francisco Giants: Changes the team should make to keep up its winning ways

Jul 28, 2015; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants 23 left fielder Nori Aoki (23) gets a base hit against the Milwaukee Brewers in the sixth inning of their MLB baseball game at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Lance Iversen-USA TODAY Sports

Let Nori Aoki lead off again 

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I get that Bruce Bochy doesn’t like to tinker with the lineup when it’s rolling, but I see no reason why Nori Aoki should continue to hit at the bottom of the order. The left fielder was the catalyst for the Giants offense the entire first half, slashing .315/.382/.392 with 12 stolen bags, and had several rehab starts with the Rivercats before making his long-awaited return.

Angel Pagan has done a decent job in his stead, but clearly doesn’t have the speed or on-base numbers to be San Francisco’s leadoff guy anymore. Pagan obviously prefers batting higher up in the order (.277 BA at No. 1-3 vs. .188 BA at No. 7-9), but Bochy needs to go with the guy who’s going to set the table most effectively.

And that’s Aoki. 

Next: On to second change