Leadoff hitter

Drew Stubbs, former leadoff hitter for the Cincinnati Reds

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 an inning.

Strategy

Leadoff hitters must possess certain traits to be successful: they must reach base at a proficient on-base percentage rate and be able to steal bases. Sabermetric analysis has indicated that the ability to steal bases is often an overrated quality of leadoff hitters; however, the leadoff hitter should still take a large lead at first and draw a throw from the pitcher. This is useful because it shows the team the pitcher's pick-off move. Many managers also wish their leadoff hitters to take a lot of pitches, to work high pitch counts, to give their teammates a feel for the opposing pitcher, as well as raising his pitch count. Another job, often unknown and unappreciated, is also the responsibility of the leadoff hitter. In the National League, after the pitcher bats (he usually drops a sacrifice bunt), the next hitter is usually the first man in the lineup. His responsibility is to take his time walking to the plate so the pitcher doesn't have to run back to the dugout, which would waste energy and risk unwanted injury. Also, because the leadoff hitter is first in the lineup cycle of batters, he will usually be the player who at least ties for most plate appearances per game on his team.

Leadoff hitters tend to play defensively difficult positions, such as shortstop, second base, and center field. Rickey Henderson is widely regarded as the prototypical leadoff hitter.

Major League Baseball leadoff hitters during the 2015 season

AL East
Club Player
BAL Manny Machado
BOS Mookie Betts
NYY Jacoby Ellsbury
TB Kevin Kiermaier
TOR Ben Revere
AL Central
Club Player
CHW Adam Eaton
CLE Jason Kipnis
DET Anthony Gose
KC Alcides Escobar
MIN Brian Dozier
AL West
Club Player
HOU José Altuve
LAA Erick Aybar
OAK Billy Burns
SEA Austin Jackson
TEX Delino DeShields, Jr.
NL East
Club Player
ATL Jace Peterson
MIA Dee Gordon
NYM Curtis Granderson
PHI Ben Revere
WAS Denard Span
NL Central
Club Player
CHC Dexter Fowler
CIN Billy Hamilton
MIL Carlos Gómez
PIT Josh Harrison
STL Matt Carpenter
NL West
Club Player
ARI Ender Inciarte
COL Charlie Blackmon
LAD Joc Pederson
SD Wil Myers
SF Nori Aoki

Notable Major League Baseball leadoff hitters

Bold names indicate players active going into the 2016 season

Notable Korea Professional Baseball leadoff hitters

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