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Best leadoff hitter in the game today
This came up in the Damon thread, but I was wondering who do you think is the best leadoff hitter in the game? To qualify they have to have spent a significant amount of time at batting #1. For me,
http://www.jeterfan.com/jeter9.jpg |
Re: Best leadoff hitter in the game today
Also,
what would your prototypical leadoff guy look like? IE, what kind of player would he be? |
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Re: Best leadoff hitter in the game today
[ QUOTE ]
Also, what would your prototypical leadoff guy look like? [/ QUOTE ] black with long legs and he should look fast and bunt well http://www.mlb.com/images/gameday/mugshots/120413.jpg |
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Re: Best leadoff hitter in the game today
Best leadoff hitter in the game? I guess I'd go with Ichiro. If you're just talking about last season, I'd go with Chone Figgins. Out of a leadoff guy, the most important stat by far is a high OBP. (at least .350) After that I'd be looking mainly for excellent speed AND excellent baserunning skills. Of course, this is all kind of moot, because some of the players I would think of to be prototypical leadoff type hitters are usually the further down in the lineup because of their power, hitters like Bobby Abreu, Chase Utley, and Jason Bay.
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Re: Best leadoff hitter in the game today
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Best leadoff hitter in the game? I guess I'd go with Ichiro. If you're just talking about last season, I'd go with Chone Figgins. Out of a leadoff guy, the most important stat by far is a high OBP. (at least .350) After that I'd be looking mainly for excellent speed AND excellent baserunning skills. Of course, this is all kind of moot, because some of the players I would think of to be prototypical leadoff type hitters are usually the further down in the lineup because of their power, hitters like Bobby Abreu, Chase Utley, and Jason Bay. [/ QUOTE ] jeter had a higher obp |
Re: Best leadoff hitter in the game today
Based on the stats in the earlier link, I'd say it would have to be either Jeter or Roberts, at least for last season. I did like the Mets batting Reyes first with a .299 OBP, just what you want in a leadoff hitter.
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Re: Best leadoff hitter in the game today
Hey guys,
power's kinda important, too. Jetes is awesome because he hits bunches of doubles. Getting on base is great. Getting to second base is awesome. My leadoff hitter would be simply my best hitter (by, essentially, 1.8*OBP+SLG) that hits around 20 HR or less. |
Re: Best leadoff hitter in the game today
My prototypical leadoff hitter would look something like this:
http://www.scottmedlock.com/images/P...derson_276.jpg |
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Re: Best leadoff hitter in the game today
Well, if we only count the last 36 games, it would have to be...
http://mark.stubbornlights.org/phils...4/rollins1.jpg |
Re: Best leadoff hitter in the game today
Can't argue with Jeter. He was the best in '05. Ichiro is right up there with Jeter over the last 5 years. In an ideal world, either of those guys would bat second since they get so many hits. I think Ryan Freel gives you the best value as a leadoff hitter. If I could take one player and make him a leadoff hitter, it would be Bobby Abreu.
The basic formula is OBP + speed, baserunning more than base stealing. I'd rather not use a guy who makes up his OPB with a lot of hits, because I'd rather use that guy to bat second, possibly third. I'd also rather not have my homeruns in that spot, for obvious reasons. |
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looks kinda like this, too http://www.cbc.ca/sports/indepth/exp...es/expos02.jpg [/ QUOTE ] Hall of Famer? |
Re: Best leadoff hitter in the game today
dear god yes.
I think Jeter's nearly a perfect leadoff hitter though. Bobby Abreu's another good one. Your best hitter should be batting #2 (ie, A-Rod) |
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Jeter is probably the best there is right now. He has a great combination of skills for the leadoff spot, which is kind of a back-handed compliment.
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Re: Best leadoff hitter in the game today
You guys let me forget about Luis Castillo. I know he's been hitting second the last couple of years, but he is a leadoff hitter. He's right with Ryan Freel for getting more with less as a leadoff hitter.
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Re: Best leadoff hitter in the game today
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[ QUOTE ] Best leadoff hitter in the game? I guess I'd go with Ichiro. If you're just talking about last season, I'd go with Chone Figgins. Out of a leadoff guy, the most important stat by far is a high OBP. (at least .350) After that I'd be looking mainly for excellent speed AND excellent baserunning skills. Of course, this is all kind of moot, because some of the players I would think of to be prototypical leadoff type hitters are usually the further down in the lineup because of their power, hitters like Bobby Abreu, Chase Utley, and Jason Bay. [/ QUOTE ] jeter had a higher obp [/ QUOTE ] Hey, don't get me wrong, Jeter's a great leadoff guy... it's definitely close, but I like Figgins, especially since I'm a Halos fan. |
Re: Best leadoff hitter in the game today
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] Best leadoff hitter in the game? I guess I'd go with Ichiro. If you're just talking about last season, I'd go with Chone Figgins. Out of a leadoff guy, the most important stat by far is a high OBP. (at least .350) After that I'd be looking mainly for excellent speed AND excellent baserunning skills. Of course, this is all kind of moot, because some of the players I would think of to be prototypical leadoff type hitters are usually the further down in the lineup because of their power, hitters like Bobby Abreu, Chase Utley, and Jason Bay. [/ QUOTE ] jeter had a higher obp [/ QUOTE ] Hey, don't get me wrong, Jeter's a great leadoff guy... it's definitely close, but I like Figgins, especially since I'm a Halos fan. [/ QUOTE ] lol, its not close. and thats not saying anything bad about figgins, hes a solid player. |
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I think Ryan Freel gives you the best value as a leadoff hitter.
????????? you saw the title of the thread was best leadoff hitter in the game today, and not best leadoff hitter 95% of america doesnt know, right? |
Re: Best leadoff hitter in the game today
He'd look like Rickey Henderson or Tim Raines.
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Re: Best leadoff hitter in the game today
Jeter by far.
Rickey's probably still a better than a third of the leadoff hitters today. |
Re: Best leadoff hitter in the game today
<font class="small">Code:</font><hr /><pre> Hey guys,
power's kinda important, too. Jetes is awesome because he hits bunches of doubles </pre><hr /> he only had 3 more than ichiro, and was 11 behind Damon, 19 behind Roberts in fact he was in the bottomhalf of leadoff hitters in doubles |
Re: Best leadoff hitter in the game today
He also had the most homers.
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He had the highest OBP, however. Keep in mind that Damon plays in a doubles friendly park (big wall, weird rf corner) Brian Roberts had a helluva year last year, let's see if he can keep it up. (He smacked *50* doubles the year before, but only got on base at a .344 clip...)'
Marcus Giles will be a good candidate to leadoff next year for the Braves. .365 OBP and 45 doubles, mm. Edit: Jetes had a fairly down year for doubles. Might be decline but he tends to average around 35/year. |
Re: Best leadoff hitter in the game today
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[ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] Best leadoff hitter in the game? I guess I'd go with Ichiro. If you're just talking about last season, I'd go with Chone Figgins. Out of a leadoff guy, the most important stat by far is a high OBP. (at least .350) After that I'd be looking mainly for excellent speed AND excellent baserunning skills. Of course, this is all kind of moot, because some of the players I would think of to be prototypical leadoff type hitters are usually the further down in the lineup because of their power, hitters like Bobby Abreu, Chase Utley, and Jason Bay. [/ QUOTE ] jeter had a higher obp [/ QUOTE ] Hey, don't get me wrong, Jeter's a great leadoff guy... it's definitely close, but I like Figgins, especially since I'm a Halos fan. [/ QUOTE ] lol, its not close. and thats not saying anything bad about figgins, hes a solid player. [/ QUOTE ] Eh, then we'll agree to disagree. I mean obviously Jeter's had a brilliant career so far, but he'll be 32 next year, which isn't exactly old, but it's a good bet he won't have a career year anytime soon. Figgins will be 28, which should be right in the middle of his peak years. Jeter will hit more home runs, but they'll both probably hit about .300 next year, and Figgins will have more triples (he had 17 in 2004!) and stolen bases. If you're just asking who's the better hitter, you're right, I don't think it's close, it's Jeter by far. But if you're talking about who's the better leadoff man, it's closer than you think. |
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If you're just asking who's the better hitter, you're right, I don't think it's close, it's Jeter by far. But if you're talking about who's the better leadoff man, it's closer than you think. [/ QUOTE ] What's the difference? And isn't the most important duty of a leadoff hitter to get on base? Shouldn't a guy with a career OBP of over 35 points higher, not to mention alot more power, be deemed a better "leadoff" hitter? |
Re: Best leadoff hitter in the game today
Kenny Lofton
Grady Siezemore Why? Cause i'm a homer. |
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If you're busting out Ted Williams, there's only one active player with a .600 OBP season on his resume
Gary PS: .600!!!!!!!!!! |
Re: Best leadoff hitter in the game today
The Giants used to bat Barry's father lead-off, even though he was a power hitter.
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Re: Best leadoff hitter in the game today
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[ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] Best leadoff hitter in the game? I guess I'd go with Ichiro. If you're just talking about last season, I'd go with Chone Figgins. Out of a leadoff guy, the most important stat by far is a high OBP. (at least .350) After that I'd be looking mainly for excellent speed AND excellent baserunning skills. Of course, this is all kind of moot, because some of the players I would think of to be prototypical leadoff type hitters are usually the further down in the lineup because of their power, hitters like Bobby Abreu, Chase Utley, and Jason Bay. [/ QUOTE ] jeter had a higher obp [/ QUOTE ] Hey, don't get me wrong, Jeter's a great leadoff guy... it's definitely close, but I like Figgins, especially since I'm a Halos fan. [/ QUOTE ] lol, its not close. and thats not saying anything bad about figgins, hes a solid player. [/ QUOTE ] Eh, then we'll agree to disagree. I mean obviously Jeter's had a brilliant career so far, but he'll be 32 next year, which isn't exactly old, but it's a good bet he won't have a career year anytime soon. Figgins will be 28, which should be right in the middle of his peak years. Jeter will hit more home runs, but they'll both probably hit about .300 next year, and Figgins will have more triples (he had 17 in 2004!) and stolen bases. If you're just asking who's the better hitter, you're right, I don't think it's close, it's Jeter by far. But if you're talking about who's the better leadoff man, it's closer than you think. [/ QUOTE ] Figgins is closer to Freel and Castillo than he is Jeter. |
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He'd look like Rickey Henderson or Tim Raines. [/ QUOTE ] Pete Rose gets sore whenever people call Rickey the greatest lead-off hitter. "I've got 1000 more hits than him, 200 more RBI." |
Re: Best leadoff hitter in the game today
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[ QUOTE ] He'd look like Rickey Henderson or Tim Raines. [/ QUOTE ] Pete Rose gets sore whenever people call Rickey the greatest lead-off hitter. "I've got 1000 more hits than him, 200 more RBI." [/ QUOTE ] Pete Rose gets sore about a lot of things these days, I'm sure. He was a great player, but Rickey Henderson is the greatest leadoff hitter in the history of baseball. |
Re: Best leadoff hitter in the game today
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[ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] He'd look like Rickey Henderson or Tim Raines. [/ QUOTE ] Pete Rose gets sore whenever people call Rickey the greatest lead-off hitter. "I've got 1000 more hits than him, 200 more RBI." [/ QUOTE ] Pete Rose gets sore about a lot of things these days, I'm sure. He was a great player, but Rickey Henderson is the greatest leadoff hitter in the history of baseball. [/ QUOTE ] amazing that most people would assume rose was the better player. ricky was just amazing. got on base a ton, hit for power, stole bases at a +EV clip. just unreal. im not sure what his defensive prowless was, but i would assume he was fast enough to be above average on accident. |
Re: Best leadoff hitter in the game today
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[ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] He'd look like Rickey Henderson or Tim Raines. [/ QUOTE ] Pete Rose gets sore whenever people call Rickey the greatest lead-off hitter. "I've got 1000 more hits than him, 200 more RBI." [/ QUOTE ] Pete Rose gets sore about a lot of things these days, I'm sure. He was a great player, but Rickey Henderson is the greatest leadoff hitter in the history of baseball. [/ QUOTE ] amazing that most people would assume rose was the better player. ricky was just amazing. got on base a ton, hit for power, stole bases at a +EV clip. just unreal. im not sure what his defensive prowless was, but i would assume he was fast enough to be above average on accident. [/ QUOTE ] I remember that old Bill James anecdote where he was asked if he thought Rickey was a hall-of-famer. His reply? "If you could split him in two, you'd have two Hall-Of-Famers." |
Re: Best leadoff hitter in the game today
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[ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] He'd look like Rickey Henderson or Tim Raines. [/ QUOTE ] Pete Rose gets sore whenever people call Rickey the greatest lead-off hitter. "I've got 1000 more hits than him, 200 more RBI." [/ QUOTE ] Pete Rose gets sore about a lot of things these days, I'm sure. He was a great player, but Rickey Henderson is the greatest leadoff hitter in the history of baseball. [/ QUOTE ] Rickey is obviously the greatest leadoff man in the history of baseball, but it's a crying shame that Tim Raines doesn't get more respect. As an contemporary of Rickey, he was always a Rickey Lite. He hit for power, but not as much as Rickey. He got on base, but not as much as Rickey. He stole bases, but not as many as Rickey. In fact, if you look on baseball-reference.com, the most similar player to Rickey Henderson every year from 24-42 (except for 1) is..... Tim Raines. |
Re: Best leadoff hitter in the game today
I remember that old Bill James anecdote where he was asked if he thought Rickey was a hall-of-famer. His reply? "If you could split him in two, you'd have two Hall-Of-Famers."
awesome! sad that somebody would even ask that question. |
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How much do you factor in pitches per plate Appearance, if at all? I'd like to have a guy taking pitches, especially in the 1st to get some extra info on the opposing pitcher. This is a stat that knocks Ichiro down a few pegs if you value it.
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Re: Best leadoff hitter in the game today
Yeah, Rose made 1900 more outs too. Rose's OBP was .375 for his career, vs. the league average of .331; Henderson's was .401 vs. the league average of .327. Rose's OPS was .784 vs. the league average of .721; Henderson's was .820 vs. the league average of .728.
And Rose was a bigger jerk than Rickey. Still is. |
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