Leadoff hitter
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
In baseball, a leadoff hitter is a batter who bats first in the lineup.
[edit] Strategy
Leadoff hitters must possess certain traits to be successful: they must get on base at a proficient rate and be able to steal bases. However, sabermetric analysis has indicated that stolen bases is often an overrated quality of leadoff hitters. Leadoff hitters tend to play defensively difficult positions, such as shortstop, second base, and center field. Many consider Rickey Henderson the prototypical leadoff hitter.
[edit] Notable MLB leadoff hitters
- Roberto Alomar
- Luis Aparicio
- Craig Biggio
- Max Bishop
- Lou Brock
- Brett Butler
- Bert Campaneris
- Max Carey
- Ty Cobb
- Eddie Collins
- Johnny Damon
- David Eckstein
- Rafael Furcal
- Billy Hamilton
- Dummy Hoy
- Rickey Henderson
- Arlie Latham
- Kenny Lofton
- Davey Lopes
- Joe Morgan
- Juan Pierre
- Tim Raines
- Jose Reyes
- Jimmy Rollins
- Grady Sizemore
- Alfonso Soriano
- Ichiro Suzuki
- Maury Wills
