Machado went 3-for-4 with a double, a run scored, and four RBI from the No. 3 spot in the order in Friday's win over the Yankees. Afterward, manager Buck Showalter reiterated his stance that Machado could hit anywhere in the order and succeed, the Baltimore Sun reports. "I think he produced a lot of runs leading off last year by scoring runs and setting up others," Showalter said. "I've said it many times, Manny is capable of hitting in about five [different] spots in the order. Really, all nine if you really want to make it simple, but a lot of it depends on what serves the club. It's good to have those options."

EDGE Analysis

525 of Machado's 633 at-bats last season came between the leadoff spot and the two-hole, and he's been in those same spots throughout most of spring. There are those out there that believe Machado's a better fit lower in the order, and Friday's performance showed why it might make sense to move him down, but Showalter's spring lineups have mostly had Adam Jones, Chris Davis, and Mark Trumbo in the heart of the order.