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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 /
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Apr 11, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Jimmy Rollins (11) waits on deck against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. The Diamondbacks won 6-0. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 11, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Jimmy Rollins (11) waits on deck against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. The Diamondbacks won 6-0. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /

player. 6. . 2000-Present. Philadelphia Phillies, Los Angeles Dodgers. Jimmy Rollins. 25

Though he’s “not an ideal choice for the Dodgers’ leadoff hitter,” Jimmy Rollins is one of the only players on our list that is currently active in the role. In the first 19 games of the 2015 season (17 of them with Rollins listed on the top spot on the lineup card), the shortstop is hitting just .178/.282/.301. However, that doesn’t mean the switch-hitter hasn’t been a terrific leadoff hitter in years past.

Over the first 15 years of his career, Rollins led off 1,456 times for the Philadelphia Phillies and entered the season second among active players behind Ichiro Suzuki.

He doesn’t possess the ideal patient approach (he’s got just a .327 career on-base percentage to date), but Rollins provides a good spark at the top of the order and great speed, as evidenced by his 456 career stolen bases and 112 triples (he’s led the National league in triples four times).

When Rollins won the National League MVP Award and Silver Slugger in 2007, he did it primarily as the team’s table-setter. That season, Rollins hit .296/.344/.531 and set career-highs with 30 home runs, 94 RBI, 139 runs, 20 triples, 212 hits, 778 plate appearances and 716 at bats.

In addition to his performance leading off, Rollins is a three-time All-Star and four-time Gold Glove-winning shortstop. He’s been part of two World Series teams and won a ring with the Phillies in 2008.

Next: Alfonso Soriano

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