David Schoenfield, ESPN Senior Writer 9y

Studying the leadoff hitters: AL

I don't know if this is a bad era for leadoff hitters or not, or simply a reflection of the pitching-dominant era we're in right now. There are fewer good hitters overall thus it reasons that we'd have fewer good leadoff hitters.

It strikes me that a lot of teams are missing a good and/or obvious candidate to be their leadoff guy. What do you want in a leadoff hitter? Above all, you want a guy who gets on base. The MLB average on-base percentage in 2014 was .314, .318 for non-pitchers. Your leadoff guy should get on base better than the league average; last year, leadoff hitters posted a .326 OBP. Secondarily, you want speed -- stealing bases is nice but being able to take that extra base is important as well. Many managers still think speed is more important than getting on base; it's not. Third is power; there's nothing wrong if your leadoff guy can pop a few home runs or get himself into scoring position with a double.

Let's look at how each team stands as spring training begins, starting with the American League.

AL EAST

Baltimore Orioles

2014 totals: .336 OBP (ninth in majors), 87 runs (23rd)

Nick Markakis started here 148 games and while his OBP was fine he didn't score many runs. Part of that was the makeup of the Orioles' lineup but Markakis' lack of speed did hurt some -- only four steals and his percentage of extra bases taken was terrible (just 17 percent, well below his career average of 34). I don't if he lost his speed or was cautions or what. Anyway, he's gone and the O's don't have a logical candidate. Maybe Manny Machado, although his career OBP is just .313.

Boston Red Sox

2014 totals: .330 OBP (14th), 109 runs (fifth)

Mookie Betts projects as one of the best leadoff guys in the game. He'll get on base, work the count, steal some bases and has some pop. Yes, John Farrell announced that, if healthy, Shane Victorino is his starting right fielder. Don't worry, there's plenty of playing time for Mookie and he'll hit his way into a regular spot in the lineup.

New York Yankees

2014 totals: .321 OBP (20th), 102 runs (10th)

This was mostly Brett Gardner (107 games) and Jacoby Ellsbury (49 games). Gardner should be the full-time leadoff guy this year, although he's coming off a .327 OBP, his lowest since his rookie season.

Tampa Bay Rays

2014 totals: .316 OBP (21st), 84 runs (26th)

Desmond Jennings had the most time here but posted just a .301 OBP when hitting leadoff (.319 overall). There's not really another good candidate on the roster so he'll get another chance.

Toronto Blue Jays

2014 totals: .325 OBP (18th), 107 runs (seventh)

Early in his career, it looked liked Jose Reyes had the ability to become one of the game's all-time great leadoff men. He didn't quite get there due to inconsistent OBP totals. He still runs well (30 for 32 in steals) but his walk rate dropped last year and his OBP was a mediocre .328. He's capable of better.

AL CENTRAL

Chicago White Sox

2014 totals: .337 OBP (eighth), 98 runs (14th)

Adam Eaton certainly fits the old-school profile with a .362 OBP and some speed. He doesn't possess over-the-fence power but did hit 26 doubles and 10 triples. He should also be capable of stealing 30-plus bases over a full season if he stays healthy (a big issue as he missed time last year and in the minors).

Cleveland Indians

2014 totals: .308 OBP (25th), 90 runs (21st)

Michael Bourn was supposed to be the solution here when the Indians signed him a couple years ago but he's had some injuries and hasn't been that good, with just 10 steals last year in 106 games. If he's not running, there's no point to hitting him leadoff. Maybe Jason Kipnis gets a shot.

Detroit Tigers

2014 totals: .327 OBP (17th), 106 runs (eighth)

Ian Kinsler played 83 games here and presumably is back in a full-time role. He's a little unconventional as his OBP dropped to a career-low .307 in 2014, although he makes up for that to some degree with added power (61 extra-base hits) and excellent baserunning.

Kansas City Royals

2014 totals: .339 OBP (seventh), 82 runs (27th)

This was mostly Norichika Aoki a year ago, with some Alcides Escobar, Jarrod Dyson and Lorenzo Cain mixed in. Escobar actually had a .397 OBP in 16 games but with Aoki gone, putting him there would be a mistake considering his .299 career OBP. I wouldn't be opposed to moving Alex Gordon back here. Let's see how creative Ned Yost gets.

Minnesota Twins

2014 totals: .328 OBP (16th), 118 runs (first)

Bet you didn't have the Twins as the team that scored the most leadoff runs in the majors, did you? Danny Santana and Brian Dozier split time here and combined for 19 of the 21 home runs the Twins received from their leadoff hitters. Santana probably gets first crack but his .319 average as a rookie was driven by a fluke .405 BABIP.

AL WEST

Houston Astros

2014 totals: .353 OBP (second), 95 runs (17th)

Jose Altuve actually only hit here 78 games but he'll be the guy every day this year. He may not win the batting title again but he projects as one of the best leadoff guys in the majors after hitting .341, stealing 56 bases and pounding out 47 doubles.

Los Angeles Angels

2014 totals: .316 OBP (22nd), 111 runs (third)

They scored a lot of runs with the help of Mike Trout hitting second, but Kole Calhoun was a pretty effective leadoff guy, hitting .281/.336/.471, with 17 home runs in 109 games. He didn't steal many bases (five steals overall) but his other baserunning metrics are very good and he's capable of a higher OBP with a full season now under his belt.

Oakland Athletics

2014 totals: .329 OBP (15th), 97 runs (15th)

Coco Crisp is presumably the main guy here again. He's good-not-great.

Seattle Mariners

2014 totals: .287 OBP (30th), 71 runs (29th)

A complete disaster. As much as Seattle needed to add a right-handed power bat, the Mariners also need to figure out the leadoff spot. Austin Jackson probably gets the nod, even though he was brutal after coming over from Detroit. Assuming Robinson Cano and Nelson Cruz hit 3-4, Lloyd McClendon would be better off hitting Kyle Seager first or second and getting him more at-bats (and on base in front of Cano and Cruz) rather than hitting him fifth. The potential shortstop platoon of Brad Miller and Chris Taylor could present another leadoff option, or maybe the less conventional Seth Smith/Justin Ruggiano right-field platoon.

Texas Rangers

2014 totals: .345 OBP (fifth), 81 runs (28th)

Fifth in OBP but just 28th in runs? Yes, the Rangers missed Prince Fielder. Shin-Soo Choo was brought in to be the leadoff hitter a year ago, although Leonys Martin hit well here as well. Either way, the Rangers have good options. Assuming new manager Jeff Banister is smart enough not to go with Elvis Andrus (and get him out of the No. 2 spot while you're at it).

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