The leadoff spot in baseball is one of the most important slots on a manager's lineup card. The guy at the top of the order is expected to get on base, move into scoring position, and score runs.
It's the spot in the order where on-base percentage reigns supreme and where power is a bonus rather than an iron-clad prerequisite.
Sure, there's a handful of guys who will hit a dozen home runs from the No. 1 spot, but you're far more likely to see these guys slapping a single back up the middle, stealing second base with ease, and scoring standing up on a base hit to the outfield.
To be an elite leadoff hitter you need an above-average combination of plate discipline and patience. Extra-base hits are nice, but giving the men in the meat of your lineup someone to drive home is the one main ingredient to success.
There's a good chance that you won't be on this list if you don't bat .280 or have a walk rate around 10 percent. There are some guys, like Rajai Davis, who have neither and are better suited to a No. 2 spot. Then there are the players like Chris Coghlan who are blossoming into the best table-setters in the league.
So sit back and enjoy this look at the best leadoff hitters in baseball in 2010. I look forward to hearing who you would have included because, with only 10 spots available, I know I will have omitted some players that others will think deserve a spot.
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