Fansided

MLB: Top 30 leadoff hitters of all-time

By Nicholas Ian Allen

Mar 24, 2015; Jupiter, FL, USA; Miami Marlins right fielder Ichiro Suzuki (51) heads toward the dugout during a game against the Boston Red Sox at Roger Dean Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 24, 2015; Jupiter, FL, USA; Miami Marlins right fielder Ichiro Suzuki (51) heads toward the dugout during a game against the Boston Red Sox at Roger Dean Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 31
Next
Sep 19, 2014; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury (22) reacts after hitting a two-run home run against the Toronto Blue Jays during the third inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 19, 2014; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury (22) reacts after hitting a two-run home run against the Toronto Blue Jays during the third inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

43. . 2007-Present. Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees. Jacoby Ellsbury. 30. player

There are only a couple of active players that should be considered among the top 30 leadoff hitters of all-time.

Mike Trout and Andrew McCutchen have spent time in the role but were quickly penciled in lower in the order because of their run production capability. Shin-Soo Choo was great atop the lineup card in 2014, but he hasn’t been used there at all so far in 2015. Matt Carpenter has scored more runs than anyone in Major League Baseball over the past two seasons, but he’s only been a leadoff hitter since 2013, so it’s too early to include him.

But among active players, Jacoby Ellsbury has all the tools, plus a track record of production at the top of the order. He could emerge as one of the all-time greats if he (1) stays healthy and (2) isn’t needed lower in the order to drive in more runs.

To date, Ellsbury has hit .293/.347/.434 in nine big league seasons. He became the primary leadoff man for the Boston Red Sox in his first full season with the club in 2008 and put up solid numbers, including an American League leading 50 stolen bases.

In 2009, Ellsbury hit .301/.355/.415 and led all of baseball with 70 stolen bases and led the AL with 10 triples, further establishing himself in the mold of the prototypical speedy, singles-hitting leadoff man.

After missing most of the 2010 season due to injury, Ellsbury exploded in 2011 when he was the runner-up for the AL MVP Award. In a Major League leading 732 plate appearances, the left-handed hitter compiled a .321/.376/.552 line with 212 hits, 46 doubles, 32 home runs, 105 RBI, 39 stolen bases and 119 runs scored mostly out of the leadoff spot.

He hasn’t put up numbers that good since, but Ellsbury has shown flashes with 52 stolen bases in 2013 – his last season in Boston – and 16 home runs and 70 RBI (mostly in the three hole) last year with the New York Yankees.

Now 31 years old, Ellsbury still has plenty of time to climb closer to the top of this list, especially since he’s an everyday leadoff hitter again.

Next: Tony Phillips

Home/Boston Red Sox