2006-09-22 03:19:46 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Sports ➔ Baseball
Everybody seems to be forgetting Alfonso Soriano of the Nationals.
.283, 45 HR, 93 RBI, 40 SB
2006-09-22 05:17:17 · answer #1 · answered by TheOnlyBeldin 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I will list who I consider to currently be the top 5 leadoff hitters:
1) Jose Reyes
2) Johnny Damon
3) Rafael Furcal
4) Gary Matthews
5) Ichiro Suzuki
The prototypical definition of a leadoff hitter is one who takes a lot of pitches, reaches base often, has speed and acceleration, and scores a lot of runs.
While Reyes has the lowest OBP of the 5, he has one of the highest slugging percentages, strikes out less often than everyone except Ichiro, and he has the most stolen bases and triples among the group -- a testament to his speed and ability to take the extra base. Reyes is also near the top in HR and leads in runs scored. Considering the youth of Reyes, he is a more favorable candidate than Damon because he will eventually become a more selective hitter -- his walks will rise and thus his OBP will rise as well.
Both Damon and Reyes play for teams that have the offensive firepower to drive them home when they are on base. The support of the teams ability to drive runs in is an important factor in determining the value of a leadoff hitter because if they are getting on base but not being driven in, then being on base really doesn't mean anything.
2006-09-22 04:03:58 · answer #2 · answered by Fantasy Protege 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Rickey Henderson, I'm sure he's still playing somewhere right? Actually I would have to say it's a toss up between Ichiro and Reyes. The leadoff hitter's job is to get on base and be smart running the bases, and those two do it better than anybody. I would give the edge to Ichiro right now just because he's been doing it better for longer.
I will tell you who the worst leadoff guy is, Pods, have you ever seen somebody fall from grace quicker than this guy.
I have to give props to jason Kendall for being one of teh few catchers I have ever seen in the leadoff spot.
2006-09-22 04:07:07 · answer #3 · answered by thatchelpage 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Johnny Damon hands down. He's broght back the flash in the #1 spot for the Yankees. His being in the #1 slot has made Jtere a better hitter and Giambi a better RBI man.
2006-09-22 03:54:48 · answer #4 · answered by Oz 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Grady Sizemore is the best leadoff guy in baseball.
2006-09-22 10:56:33 · answer #5 · answered by Dale E 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You want a batter that takes a lot of pitches...in that sense, Johnny Damon & Jose Reyes are amoung the best in the game.
I would have to go with Reyes, because he appears to be a better hitter than Damon. But you cannot go wrong with either.
Ichiro is up there too.
2006-09-22 03:34:27 · answer #6 · answered by brianwerner1313 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Ichiro Suzuki
2006-09-22 03:23:13 · answer #7 · answered by Shelley L 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
i think when he used to lead off it was jeter, but right now since jeter bats seconds behind johnny damon, i would say it is jose reyes.
2006-09-22 03:33:33 · answer #8 · answered by joshua h 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hanly Ramirez!!!
2006-09-22 03:38:08 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
duh ichiro he is having an off year and he is still batting 320! he is underrated because he doesnt talk to the media. unlike bigshot jose reyes or trader johnny damon
2006-09-22 05:36:43 · answer #10 · answered by stbema3 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋