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Give me 9 players, and I'll give you an order for them. Swap out someone from that list, and the order might completely change around. I don't really like putting rules like "don't hit a power guy leadoff", since depending on the lineup you're putting together, sometimes they fit like 90% of the rest of my rules and just make the whole lineup flow better. Is an Acuna leadoff HR partially wasted? Sure, in a sense. But if dropping him down in the lineup means you're hitting a low-OBP guy ahead of him, that doesn't really help you either.
My personal rules:
-Avoid as much as possible 3+ same handedness hitters in a row. Obviously not always possible (if you have 7 righties in against a tough lefty, basically just make sure the 2 lefties in the lineup aren't back to back).
-Don't put good hitters too low. All the above posts from people are great strategy, but if it means your 3rd best hitter is in the 7 spot, then you're putting your lineup together wrong. This is sort of an extension of "put your best hitter #1". Sure, sometimes you drop them down a spot if that balances better, but if you have good hitters too low, find a new order.
-After that, generally try to keep OBP higher, and slugging lower. A walk then a double is better than a double then a walk.
-Try to avoid a speed guy in front of someone who is just empty power (ie. Dunn/Schwarber TTO guys). You don't get as much from stealing there. But again, if the OBP and other hitting values make it worth it, I'll violate this if needed.
-If no DH, then I'd generally prefer my 8 hitter to be a power hitter. If there's no DH, then I I want the empty power bat to be hitting right before the "bad" hitters in my lineup, wherever that gap is.
-After that, it depends on what sort of team I have. Is this an all-star level lineup, where Cal Raleigh is the worst hitter on the team? Or am I putting together the current Rockies lineup? If the lineup itself isn't as good, then I might occasionally violate some of the above to set up for some small ball type plays. If I'm fighting tooth and nail for every run, then trying to think about who has speed, who can bunt, can make some sense.
-I do like hitting the pitcher 8th, generally speaking if my obvious #8 hitter is like a low slugging hitter. if they have some power, I'll keep them 8th. But it's such a pain to like have a guy on first, 2 out, your #8 hitter is up, and they walk or hit a weak single. Sure, you can start with your leadoff hitter next inning, but anytime I have 2 guys on base I want to have a chance to score them.
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