Leadoff hitter: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|First batter in baseball}} |
{{Short description|First batter in baseball}} |
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{{distinguish|lead off}} |
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[[File:Rickeyhenderson2002.jpg|thumb|right |
[[File:Rickeyhenderson2002.jpg|thumb|right|[[Rickey Henderson]], career leader in [[Major League Baseball]] for leadoff home runs<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/most-career-leadoff-home-runs-in-mlb-history|title=Most career leadoff home runs in MLB history|website=[[MLB.com]] }}</ref>]] |
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In [[baseball]], a '''leadoff hitter''' is a batter who bats first in the [[batting order (baseball)|lineup]]. It can also refer to any batter who bats first in any inning. |
In [[baseball]], a '''leadoff hitter''' is a batter who bats first in the [[batting order (baseball)|lineup]]. It can also refer to any batter who bats first in any inning. |
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== Strategy == |
== Strategy == |
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Traditionally, the leadoff hitter has been utilized as a contact-oriented position. The leadoff hitter is usually tasked with being able to reach base at a proficient [[on-base percentage]] and generate [[Run (baseball)|runs]] for the team. Secondary goals for such a player include wearing down a pitcher's stamina and providing a dangerous presence along the basepaths to create more offensive opportunities. As a result, the prototypical leadoff hitter is [[Small ball (baseball)|small ball]] oriented, with elements such as contact ability, speed, patience, and occasionally defense elevated to an important level.<ref>{{cite web |title=There's never been a leadoff hitter like Soler |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/jorge-soler-is-a-very-unusual-leadoff-hitter |first=Mike |last=Petriello |publisher=MLB |work=MLB.com |date=September 24, 2021| accessdate=February 22, 2022}}</ref> Power hitters, instead, would be put in the third and fourth slots to drive in the leadoff hitter and produce more runs as a result, thus deemphasizing the necessity for power amongst leadoff hitters.<ref>{{cite web |title=Betts, Carpenter, and the Evolution of the Leadoff Hitter |url=https://blogs.fangraphs.com/betts-carpenter-and-the-evolution-of-the-leadoff-hitter/ |first=Craig |last=Edwards |publisher=FanGraphs |work=FanGraphs.com |date=August 16, 2018 |accessdate=February 22, 2022 }}</ref> The correlation between leadoff hitters and small ball stretches as far back as 1898 with mentions of a "small, active fellow who can hit, run and steal bases" as being fit for the position.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Batting Order Revolution Will Be Televised |url=https://www.theringer.com/2017/3/31/16040426/2017-mlb-preview-leadoff-hitter-revolution-george-springer-kyle-schwarber-2e49f6ff7c58 |first=Zach |last=Kram |publisher=The Ringer |work=theringer.com |date=March 31, 2017 |accessdate=February 22, 2022}}</ref> Players such as [[Rickey Henderson]], [[Ichiro Suzuki]], and [[Kenny Lofton]] are often considered as archetypal leadoff hitters.<ref>{{Cite web |title= |
Traditionally, the leadoff hitter has been utilized as a contact-oriented position. The leadoff hitter is usually tasked with being able to reach base at a proficient [[on-base percentage]] and generate [[Run (baseball)|runs]] for the team. Secondary goals for such a player include wearing down a pitcher's stamina and providing a dangerous presence along the basepaths to create more offensive opportunities. As a result, the prototypical leadoff hitter is [[Small ball (baseball)|small ball]] oriented, with elements such as contact ability, speed, patience, and occasionally defense elevated to an important level.<ref>{{cite web |title=There's never been a leadoff hitter like Soler |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/jorge-soler-is-a-very-unusual-leadoff-hitter |first=Mike |last=Petriello |publisher=MLB |work=MLB.com |date=September 24, 2021| accessdate=February 22, 2022}}</ref> Power hitters, instead, would be put in the third and fourth slots to drive in the leadoff hitter and produce more runs as a result, thus deemphasizing the necessity for power amongst leadoff hitters.<ref>{{cite web |title=Betts, Carpenter, and the Evolution of the Leadoff Hitter |url=https://blogs.fangraphs.com/betts-carpenter-and-the-evolution-of-the-leadoff-hitter/ |first=Craig |last=Edwards |publisher=FanGraphs |work=FanGraphs.com |date=August 16, 2018 |accessdate=February 22, 2022 }}</ref> The correlation between leadoff hitters and small ball stretches as far back as 1898 with mentions of a "small, active fellow who can hit, run and steal bases" as being fit for the position.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Batting Order Revolution Will Be Televised |url=https://www.theringer.com/2017/3/31/16040426/2017-mlb-preview-leadoff-hitter-revolution-george-springer-kyle-schwarber-2e49f6ff7c58 |first=Zach |last=Kram |publisher=The Ringer |work=theringer.com |date=March 31, 2017 |accessdate=February 22, 2022}}</ref> Players such as [[Rickey Henderson]], [[Ichiro Suzuki]], and [[Kenny Lofton]] are often considered as archetypal leadoff hitters.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Baseball's New Leadoff Hitters Don't Need To Be Speed Demons |url=https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/baseballs-new-leadoff-hitters-dont-need-to-be-speed-demons/ |first=Neil |last=Paine |publisher=FiveThirtyEight |work=FiveThirtyEight.com |date=April 20, 2017 |accessdate=February 22, 2022}}</ref> |
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In recent years, however, leadoff hitters are shifting away from the traditional makeup to generally more well-rounded players. Numerous teams have opted to utilize hitters with strong on-base skills and power potential at the top of the batting order in exchange for speed and pure contact ability.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Batting Order Revolution Will Be Televised |url=https://www.theringer.com/2017/3/31/16040426/2017-mlb-preview-leadoff-hitter-revolution-george-springer-kyle-schwarber-2e49f6ff7c58 |first=Zach |last=Kram |publisher=The Ringer |work=theringer.com |date=March 31, 2017 |accessdate=February 22, 2022}}</ref> Non-typical leadoff hitters such as [[Kyle Schwarber]] and [[George Springer]] have all seen time in the position in recent years. |
In recent years, however, leadoff hitters are shifting away from the traditional makeup to generally more well-rounded players. Numerous teams have opted to utilize hitters with strong on-base skills and power potential at the top of the batting order in exchange for speed and pure contact ability.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Batting Order Revolution Will Be Televised |url=https://www.theringer.com/2017/3/31/16040426/2017-mlb-preview-leadoff-hitter-revolution-george-springer-kyle-schwarber-2e49f6ff7c58 |first=Zach |last=Kram |publisher=The Ringer |work=theringer.com |date=March 31, 2017 |accessdate=February 22, 2022}}</ref> Non-typical leadoff hitters such as [[Kyle Schwarber]] and [[George Springer]] have all seen time in the position in recent years. |
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{{Baseball positions}} |
{{Baseball positions}} |
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{{Baseball}} |
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[[Category:Batting (baseball)]] |
[[Category:Batting (baseball)]] |
Revision as of 10:30, 18 August 2024
In baseball, a leadoff hitter is a batter who bats first in the lineup. It can also refer to any batter who bats first in any inning.
Strategy
Traditionally, the leadoff hitter has been utilized as a contact-oriented position. The leadoff hitter is usually tasked with being able to reach base at a proficient on-base percentage and generate runs for the team. Secondary goals for such a player include wearing down a pitcher's stamina and providing a dangerous presence along the basepaths to create more offensive opportunities. As a result, the prototypical leadoff hitter is small ball oriented, with elements such as contact ability, speed, patience, and occasionally defense elevated to an important level.[2] Power hitters, instead, would be put in the third and fourth slots to drive in the leadoff hitter and produce more runs as a result, thus deemphasizing the necessity for power amongst leadoff hitters.[3] The correlation between leadoff hitters and small ball stretches as far back as 1898 with mentions of a "small, active fellow who can hit, run and steal bases" as being fit for the position.[4] Players such as Rickey Henderson, Ichiro Suzuki, and Kenny Lofton are often considered as archetypal leadoff hitters.[5]
In recent years, however, leadoff hitters are shifting away from the traditional makeup to generally more well-rounded players. Numerous teams have opted to utilize hitters with strong on-base skills and power potential at the top of the batting order in exchange for speed and pure contact ability.[6] Non-typical leadoff hitters such as Kyle Schwarber and George Springer have all seen time in the position in recent years.
Records
* | Member of the Baseball Hall of Fame. |
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Most times on base as leadoff hitter
Below is a list of Major League Baseball players with the most times on base from the leadoff spot as of the end of the 2020 season.[7]
Rank | Player | TOB |
---|---|---|
1 | Rickey Henderson * | 5,412 |
2 | Pete Rose | 4,181 |
3 | Eddie Yost | 3,243 |
4 | Brett Butler | 3,237 |
5 | Ichiro Suzuki | 3,202 |
Rank | Player | TOB |
---|---|---|
6 | Lou Brock * | 3,080 |
7 | Kenny Lofton | 3,018 |
8 | Craig Biggio * | 2,777 |
9 | Paul Molitor * | 2,732 |
10 | Johnny Damon | 2,701 |
Most games played as leadoff hitter
Below is a list of Major League Baseball players with the most games played in the leadoff spot as of the end of the 2020 season.[8]
Rank | Player | G |
---|---|---|
1 | Rickey Henderson * | 2,886 |
2 | Pete Rose | 2,313 |
3 | Lou Brock * | 1,901 |
4 | Brett Butler | 1,858 |
5 | Ichiro Suzuki | 1,827 |
Rank | Player | G |
---|---|---|
6 | Eddie Yost | 1,741 |
7 | Kenny Lofton | 1,711 |
8 | Johnny Damon | 1,584 |
9 | Paul Molitor * | 1,573 |
10 | Harry Hooper * | 1,568 |
Most plate appearances as leadoff hitter
Below is a list of Major League Baseball players with the most plate appearances from the leadoff spot as of the end of the 2020 season.[9]
Rank | Player | PA |
---|---|---|
1 | Rickey Henderson * | 13,122 |
2 | Pete Rose | 10,710 |
3 | Lou Brock * | 8,653 |
4 | Ichiro Suzuki | 8,451 |
5 | Brett Butler | 8,432 |
Rank | Player | PA |
---|---|---|
6 | Eddie Yost | 8,023 |
7 | Kenny Lofton | 7,929 |
8 | Johnny Damon | 7,411 |
9 | Craig Biggio * | 7,297 |
10 | Paul Molitor * | 7,291 |
See also
References
- ^ "Most career leadoff home runs in MLB history". MLB.com.
- ^ Petriello, Mike (September 24, 2021). "There's never been a leadoff hitter like Soler". MLB.com. MLB. Retrieved February 22, 2022.
- ^ Edwards, Craig (August 16, 2018). "Betts, Carpenter, and the Evolution of the Leadoff Hitter". FanGraphs.com. FanGraphs. Retrieved February 22, 2022.
- ^ Kram, Zach (March 31, 2017). "The Batting Order Revolution Will Be Televised". theringer.com. The Ringer. Retrieved February 22, 2022.
- ^ Paine, Neil (April 20, 2017). "Baseball's New Leadoff Hitters Don't Need To Be Speed Demons". FiveThirtyEight.com. FiveThirtyEight. Retrieved February 22, 2022.
- ^ Kram, Zach (March 31, 2017). "The Batting Order Revolution Will Be Televised". theringer.com. The Ringer. Retrieved February 22, 2022.
- ^ "Batting Split Finder". Stathead.com. Sports Reference. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
- ^ "Batting Split Finder". Stathead.com. Sports Reference. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
- ^ "Batting Split Finder". Stathead.com. Sports Reference. Retrieved 26 January 2021.