Rollins most productive when batting leadoff

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Ive heard more than one person say that Juan Pierre should be batting leadoff for the Phillies. I wont dispute that Pierre is best suited for that spot when he is in the lineup. But what usually goes along with that commentary is that Jimmy Rollins refuses to play anywhere else in the lineup. Thats just not true.

At one point, did Jimmy make it pretty clear he didn't want to hit anywhere else in the lineup? Yes, but that is no longer the case. Rollins has told Charlie Manuel hell hit anywhere he wants him to. The problem is Rollins hasnt proven to be as effective anywhere else in the lineup.

Rollins began his run as the Phillies leadoff hitter in 2004. Entering Sunday, of the 1,687 games hes played in, hes hit leadoff in 1,273 of them -- 75 percent of the time. Batting third hasnt worked. Hes hit third in 86 career games with a batting average of .241. The numbers from the three-hole in 19 games this year are even worse: .216.

Taking a look at Rollins career numbers, they have been down since 2009. Prior to that year, Rollins numbers were consistent across the board year in and year out. His overall average dropped significantly in '09 (.250) and '10 (.243) and while he rebounded some last year (.268), he was still below the levels he achieved from 2004-2008 when his overall average was .286.

The inconsistency has continued this season; entering Sunday, Rollins was hitting .300 when the team trailed but just .173 when leading. Hes also hitting .302 at home but just .191 on the road. His career numbers in this and almost every category are far more balanced.

There are a couple of numbers that pop out (pun intended) this season and both show Rollins ineffectiveness occurring when hes needed most. His average with runners in score position is just .209, a far cry from his career average of .290 with RISP. Additionally, for the first time in his career, Rollins batting average is higher when the team loses (.236) than when they win (.248).

Rollins has been most effective batting leadoff this season and his numbers in that spot are certainly better than his overall numbers. Hes hitting .255 when batting first (needs improvement) and his on-base percentage is a sufficient .315. Hes hitting .267 to lead off the game and .293 when leading off an inning.

So, while some would like to exile Rollins to the bottom of the order, its not going to happen. Not because he will raise a stick about it or wont play elsewhere, but because the leadoff spot is where Rollins has been and will likely continue to be most productiveeven if, overall, hes not as productive as he once was.

I believe Manuel will use Pierre in the leadoff spot occasionally, because right now hes more productive than Rollins. But to Charlie, Rollins is his leadoff hitter. Thats the way Charlie plays the game.

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