Interesting list. I wouldn't take this stat as mu...

2009-04-30T15:46:00.000-07:00

Interesting list. I wouldn't take this stat as much more than a supplement to other measures like OBP, but it is definitely another angle to consider. It does still marginalize on base skills and to some extent power skills that are still valuable in the lead-off spot, but it's good for it's simplicity and it's conceptual grounding.

There is a lot more to consider, I think, in asking who is the best lead-off hitter. A fly ball that bounds off the wall is not really better than one that goes over, lead-off hitter or not, and standing on first base 50 extra times will go a long way to producing more runs. You are putting yourself in position to be moved into scoring position with a walk, another hit, a bunt, some ground outs, a wild pitch/passed ball, etc., and that's also important.

In general, the better hitter/offensive weapon (since baserunning also has to be taken into account) will make for the better lead-off hitter, although there are some skills that are more valuable leading off, so in some ways, this comes down to who is the best hitter who happens to bat lead-off, which is Grady Sizemore right now. I've got a stat I've been working on for Lead-off Runs, which basically measures how often a player would be expected to score leading off an inning for a neutral lineup and considers the unique situation of leading off compared to hitting in other situations, and eventually I'll get that up when it's more ready.

Baserunning will probably be a fairly significant part of this, at least in looking only at the lead-off hitters, because these guys are mostly among the best baserunners in the game. I've been debating whether to post a rough draft of my baserunning stats because they aren't park-adjusted yet, but I might post some of the most interesting players at some point.

Comments on 3-D Baseball: Who’s the Best Leadoff Hitter in Baseball?

Interesting list. I wouldn't take this stat as mu...