Alfonso Soriano - The Best Leadoff hitter ever?

by user Timothy Moreland(Bball3345)

In a previous article, MetsJetsDevils poses the question, Is Jose Reyes the best leadoff hitter ever? While it is still too early in his career to make such a statement, MJD does make a good point that he is having a great season for a leadoffman. Reyes is one of the top offensive infielders in the game, and the best offensive shortstop in the National League.

Let’s not get carried away though. it should be pointed out that Alfonso Soriano has had a better season at the plate than Reyes, while also hitting leadoff. Here are their numbers. Soriano is on top, and Reyes below.

As you can see, Soriano holds a considerable advantage in 2Bs and a huge one in HRs. If the leadoff man can score himself, he does his own job (getting on base) as well as guaranteeing he is driven in. Playing for a much worse team, Soriano has managed to score over 100 runs, while driving in 80. He also holds an advantage in grounding into double plays, although slim and probably not meaningful. Looking at the averages, Soriano leads by .07 in OBP and .100 in SLG.

Reyes, on the other hand, has an outstanding amount of triples, which negates some of his disadvantage in extra bases. He also is clearly the more valuable basestealer, but Soriano is no slouch on the bases either.

What it comes down to is Reyes cannot be called the “greatest” anything yet. He has not even been the best leadoffman this season in his own league during his best season. Coming off a season in which Reyes made 529 outs, he is on pace for roughly 470 this season. This is not Rickey-esque.

Date

Fri 09/08/06, 1:39 pm EST

RkforemanVarsity

1163 days ago

Score 1

Just two words for you "Ricky Henderson" - enuff said.

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JCantRootWaterboy

1162 days ago

Score 0

I agree Rickey is the best leadoff man ever.

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DNLLegend

1163 days ago

Score 4

While I like Jose batting leadoff, the strikeout issue (Soriano has a ton, Reyes has a fair amount but nothing too huge) is interesting. Having a leadoff guy who strikes out a lot is not the worst thing in the world -- it is not like he has someone on base to move over with a ground out or sac fly. I'm beginning to wonder if Reyes wouldn't make a better #2 hitter.

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Manny StilesMajor Leaguer

1163 days ago

Score 1

I agree with DNL, Reyes would be a SWEET #2, 'specially with the triples! Soriano might be better suited as a 2 or 3 himself... If I was starting my ultimate team, I'd have Ichiro lead off (he messes up pitchers at bat and on bases more than either of these guys) Rickey Rick Henderson (when I think of Los Angeles, I think - Rickey Henderson, Dodger) is the best career leadoff guy and best RH batter, LH thrower ever!... Oh yeah, the last leadoff hitter to win MVP, if memory serves me correctly; but but but... Both these dudes above are doing something very special this year. Kudos to everyone!!!

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Jgov05All-American

1162 days ago

Score 1

Sori would make a great 2 or 3 hitter. Just imagine how many RBIs he would have if he batted there and had some protection in the lineup. If he reaches 100 RBIs as an NL leadoff man, that would be truly incredible.

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JCantRootWaterboy

1162 days ago

Score 0

I think the only reasons the Nationals bat him first is so he can steal bases - which is kind of follish if you ask me. He was batting in the middle of the Texas lineup, but he wasn't really a big-time RBI guy. He has improved his walk total significantly this season however, which makes me think he can continue to mature into a great leadoff guy.

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Alex HolowczakHall of Famer

1161 days ago

Score 0

With 40+ HRs, Soriano should play 2 behind a leadoff hitter with a power hitter at 3/4. That way you have speed & hits followed by speed, hits & power followed by power - The ideal lineup.

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MetsJetsDevilsDraft Pick

1162 days ago

Score 0

Soriano is having a good year. I'd still rather have Jose Reyes as my leadoff hitter.

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FriskysmanVarsity Captain

1160 days ago

Score 0

I'd rather have Soriano as my cleanup hitter

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JCantRootWaterboy

1162 days ago

Score 1

And Ichiro won MVP and Rookie of the year as a leadoff man, Manny

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Manny StilesMajor Leaguer

1161 days ago

Score 0

yup, I knew that... brought it up in the argument about Howard. Soriano won't win MVP as leadoff, neither will Reyes is what I should have said... (I'll take Rickey's MVP season over Ichiro's -went to W.S.)

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EmboyeLittle Leaguer

1160 days ago

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Rickey henderson is by far the best leadoff ever. soriano and reyes can both make cases for being the best this season, though they've got a long way to go to make the HOF, let alone status as "best ever."

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Bball3345Draft Pick

1160 days ago

Score 0

I agree. My title was more poking fun at MJD's article of the same name, except about Reyes.

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RomiezzoLegend

881 days ago

Score 0

Rickey Henderson, like many people think, is by far, the best leadoff hitter in baseball. No questions asked. Ichiro is up there, but Henderson definitely beats him. Henderson, even though he had a career average in the .270s, he had a career OBP of about .400, due to the fact that he had all those walks because he had such a good eye and was patient at the plate, and in my opinion, that's what you should do. Ichiro, on the other hand, has a career OBP in the .370s, which isn't good compared to Rickey Henderson. I think another guy who should be mentioned is Ty Cobb. Cobb can hit the ball anywhere he wants to, but Henderson had more runs scored in his career, which is what a leadoff hitter is known for, or should be known for, in my opinion. Sure, stolen bases are good (which Henderson has and probably won't be broken for a really, really, really long time; if ever) but when it comes dowh to it, you want a leadoff man who can GET ON BASE when he can; not necessarily hit the ball, just get on base. Henderson is better than any leadoff hitter in OBP and walks (which can ruin pitch counts for pitchers) which is why Henderson is that great and should be considered the best leadoff hitter in baseball without question. Also, one more thing to add, Henderson faced better pitching than Ty Cobb did (all around), which is another reason for Rickey Henderson...

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