Baseball Special Report: Top 10 leadoff hitters of the MLB
Being a hitting leadoff is one the job that is undervalued yet the most important in baseball. Today managers assign this role to players who are fast. The leadoff hitter should theoretically be given more plate appearances. This being due to the fact that the leadoff hitter’s job is to get on bases.
A leadoff hitter has to have sharp skills in which communicating are very important, just running fast can’t result in a successful leadoff hitter. It would rather be big problem for a team. Without any doubt, the leading hitters are placed in the top teams that are contending for the title. Here we’ll be looking at the top 10 leadoff hitters of the MLB.
The criteria of selection here are the following: Base Percentage, Slugging Percentage, and Runs Created and Stolen bases.
Ben Zobrist is placed in at 10. Ben is just a temporary leadoff hitter. These, being due to the other hitters like Jason Bartlett failing to meet the expectations of the Rays. His statistics are as follows: OBP: .379 (2) OPS: 0.766, (10) runs Created: 57 (T-7) and steals: 19 (T-7)
The Rangers leadoff hitter Elvis Andrus has the following statistics OBP: .358 (8), OPS: .677 (24), runs Created: 45 (T-18) and steals: 24 (4). He brings serious speed to the already tough and one of the major MLB sides. Although he is just 66% of steal success but forms an important part of the Rangers lineup.
One of the players who need to pitched after some thought is Fred Lewis. Having very impressive stats of OBP: .344 (T-13), OPS: .800 (7), runs created: 48 (T-14) and steals: 10. His career however has slowed down as a result of him being traded to Toronto but his stats reflect what good potential he has.
Austin Jackson comes in at number 7 although still in the rookie career. This rookie career however is still proving to be an extraordinary one though. He has the ability to do the job, well considering the fact he doesn’t have much power. His statistics are as follows OBP: .361(7), OPS: .776 (8), runs created: 53 (10) and steals: 16 (T-14).
Brandon Phillips is next in line of the most power leading hitter. He spent most of his time as the headoff in the number 2 or number 3 spot. The great hitter along with the fact that he is a superb offensive player plays an important role for the Reds. His massive contribution to the team is one of the reasons why the Reds are in contention for the title. Though not very extravagant stats on home runs, he still has some good hitting capabilities having the following career statistics. OBP: .347 (T-9), OPS: .818(5), runs created: 61 (3), steals: 11.
OBP: .362 (6), OPS: .845 (3), runs created: 70 (2) and steals: 4 are the stats of one of the best hitters of the MLB this season, Martin Prado. Being one of the best hitters of the game, he is still wanted by many teams to be a part of their squad. The swing of his bat is one that rips through the opponent’s chances of even thinking of a win.
The 4th number belongs as the leading hitter in the MLB is of Rafael Furcal. The MLB hitting sensation has an impressive OBP: .393 (1), OPS: .915(1), runs created: 58 (T-5) , steals: 16 (T-14) not only this, he also has impressive base stealing abilities.
The 32 year old Andreas Torres comes in next with the third spot. He not only possess the ability to show his power by hitting hard but provided the speed that he has, he provides the complete package that a hitter has to have. He seems to assist the Giants in the department of hitting and is an important figure in every success that they achieve. He has the following stats highlighting his career: OBP: .370 (4), OPS: .853 (2), runs created: 55 (9) and steals: 17 (T-11).
The second spot is occupied by the Milwaukee’s Rickie Weeks. He not only shows amazing power and speed the statistics of his career OBP: .374 (3), OPS: .843 (4), runs created: 74 (1), steals: 6 reflect one of the best career without a doubt. He only sat out one game and he put up great display using his talent in the best manner. The sight being a manager, of having a player consistently performing and playing each and every game makes not only the manager happy but also the huge number of fans that come to support them in each and every game.
Arguably, the top spot goes to Ichiro Suzuki. His phenomenal statistics OBP: .366 (5), OPS: .760 (12), runs created: 59 (4), steals: 22 (5) cement his position even further as the top best leadoff hitter in the MLB. At the age of 36 currently, he still looks like a young player. His late arrival to the MLB while playing in Japan is the only reason why he is not in the Hall of Fame already. However, some say that he is the best player in the MLB today.
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