Monday, May 16, 2011

Leadoff Rankings: Week 7


Previous Rankings: Week 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

The seventh weekend of the 2011 season has come and gone, and we're changing up the way we do our rankings. For the first time, our Leadoff Rankings have been determined not by my all-knowing power, but by the use of a formula. Similar to what we did on Thursday with our Rotation Rankings, we set all the statistics relative to league average, and then weighted each statistic to mean more or less than others (OBP means more than slugging percentage, for example). This gives us an overall average of 1.000, with lower scores correlating to above-average performance. More a fan of pitching? Check out our Rotation Rankings, published every Thursday, where we rank each team by the performance of their starting pitchers. The rankings are based on season performance (90%), with a small bias towards recent performance. The stats come from each team's first and second batters every game, regardless of the name on the back of the jersey. To see how things turned out this week, hit the jump!

(LW: Last week's ranking; ABs: At-Bats, AVG: batting average; OBP: on-base percentage; SLG: slugging percentage; R: runs; RBI: runs batted in; WS: Weighted Score)

30. (LW: 30) Washington Nationals (19-21, t-4th NL East)--WS: 1.263
This Week: 3-3, .240 AVG, .309 OBP, .280 SLG, 6 steals, 5 runs, 5 RBIs
Season (328 ABs): .198 AVG, .257 OBP, .305 SLG, 17 steals, 31 R, 28 RBIs
A "good" week for the Nationals takes them oh-so-close to the Mendoza line. Still, their average and OBP are 40 points lower than any other team in the majors...at least the 17 steals make up for part of it. Let's see what happens with another week of Roger Bernadina batting leadoff. The relative difference between 30th and 29th is the same as that between 29th and 18th--that's how bad it's been for Washington.

29. (LW: 21) Florida Marlins (23-16, 2nd NL East)--WS: 1.157
This Week: 3-3, .192 AVG, .236 OBP, .231 SLG, 1 steal, 2 runs, 4 RBIs
Season (269 ABs): .231 AVG, .296 OBP, .336 SLG, 4 steals, 35 R, 31 RBIs
The second straight under-.200 week drags the Marlins down in the 29th slot, yet the MArlins still manage to stay in second place in the division--though the way Atlanta is playing, not for loong. It was assumed the Marlins would finish 3rd in the division, and a lack of production from these slots could be a reason they finish there, if not lower.

28. (LW: 20) Minnesota Twins (12-26, 5th AL Central)--WS: 1.149
This Week: 0-6, .240 AVG, .333 OBP, .280 SLG, 0 steals, 7 runs, 2 RBIs
Season (304 ABs): .240 AVG, .306 OBP, .316 SLG, 5 steals, 36 R, 19 RBIs
I know that the top two spots in a batting order are not supposed to be full of sluggers, but a .280 combined slugging percentage? Really, Denard Span & Co.? That's just pathetic. So is the .316 mark for the season.

27. (LW: 29) Baltimore Orioles (19-20, 5th AL East)--WS: 1.145
This Week: 5-1, .278 AVG, .328 OBP, .352 SLG, 3 steals, 7 runs, 1 RBI
Season (321 ABs): .231 AVG, .286 OBP, .333 SLG, 7 steals, 35 R, 33 RBIs
The Orioles had their first good week in these rankings since mid-April, though the overall numbers are still too low to really move up. Felix Pie became the first man not named Brian Roberts or Nick Markakis to appear for Baltimore in the top two spots this week, though it was only for a one-game apperance--all of the good work was done by the O's regulars.

26. (LW: 26) Oakland Athletics (20-20, 3rd AL West)--WS: 1.144
This Week: 2-3, .216 AVG, .326 OBP, .297 SLG, 4 steals, 6 runs, 4 RBIs
Season (313 ABs): .224 AVG, .302 OBP, .335 SLG, 12 steals, 41 R, 22 RBIs
The week started off poorly, with Coco Crisp and Daric Barton going 2-for-21 (.095) against the Rangers and the first game against the White Sox. They ended the week going 6-for-16 in the final two games, with 3 runs and all four RBIs this week. Maybe a positive sign for an upwards move next week?

25. (LW: 24) Detroit Tigers (22-18, 2nd AL Central)--WS: 1.105
This Week: 5-0, .256 AVG, .347 OBP, .395 SLG, 2 steals, 8 runs, 8 RBIs
Season (314 ABs): .229 AVG, .305 OBP, .331 SLG, 6 steals, 39 R, 27 RBIs
This week saw a big statistical improvement from the top of the Tigers' order, as their .256/.347/.395 line is a real step up from their .229/.305/.331 figure for the season. They even drove in a season-high eight runs this week and scored eight more as well.

24. (LW: 18) Chicago White Sox (17-24, 4th AL Central)--WS: 1.101
This Week: 4-2, .269 AVG, .296 OBP, .404 SLG, 0 steals, 7 runs, 3 RBIs
Season (330 ABs): .252 AVG, .306 OBP, .312 SLG, 8 steals, 38 R, 24 RBIs
This was actually a much more successful week than the numbers would indicate, as the White Sox played both the Angels and Athletics this week, on the road. That means above-average numbers against the likes of Trevor Cahill, Tyler Chatwood, and Ervin Santana. Okay, the White Sox did get a little lucky in not having to face Dan Haren or Jeff Weaver.

23. (LW: 27) Arizona Diamondbacks (17-22, 4th NL West)--WS: 1.083
This Week:  2-4, .260 AVG, .315 OBP, .320 SLG, 3 steals, 3 runs, 1 RBI
Season (329 ABs): .234 AVG, .296 OBP, .407 SLG, 19 steals, 49 R, 32 RBIs
Mark Reynolds might have left the desert, but the Diamondbacks are still good at going down without a fight. Chris Young, Kelly Johnson et. al. combined for 17 strikeouts in six games, the worst of their sixth straight double-digit strikeout week. Not that it's easy when you have to face pitchers like Lincecum, Sanchez, Kershaw, and Billingsley all in the same week.

22. (LW: 25) San Diego Padres (17-23, 5th NL West)--WS: 1.081
This Week: 3-3, .364 AVG, .397 OBP, .527 SLG, 3 steals, 8 runs, 11 RBIs
Season (262 ABs): .246 AVG, .313 OBP, .312 SLG, 20 steals, 34 R, 18 RBI
Two good weeks in a row from San Diego? My eyes must be playing tricks! No, actually, Wil Venable had seven hits this week, while Chris Denorfia and Jason Bartlett went 7-for-10 with 4 runs and 3 RBIs against the Brewers on Wednesday. The Padres are still struggling to compete in the NL West, but it's nice to finally see some consistent offensive production.

21. (LW: 14) Seattle Mariners (16-23, 4th AL West)--WS: 1.080
This Week: 0-4, .256 AVG, .293 OBP, .308 SLG, 1 steal, 3 runs, 2 RBIs
Season (325 ABs): .262 AVG, .315 OBP, .325 SLG, 19 steals, 35 R, 28 RBIs
Cut the Mariners some slack with the run and RBI totals, as they only played four games this week. Then give them a little less slack because they lost all four games, with an OBP below .300 for the second straight week. With the worst pitching in the division as well, things are not looking good for Seattle this season.

20. (LW: 22) Kansas City Royals (20-19, 3rd AL Central)--WS: 1.079
This Week: 2-3, .190 AVG, .292 OBP, .405 SLG, 2 steals, 5 runs, 5 RBIs
Season (332 ABs): .238 AVG, .291 OBP, .389 SLG, 17 steals, 45 R, 44 RBIs
Royals center fielder Melky Cabrera hit .208 this week, but his teammates in the top spot in the order hit a combined 3-18 (.167) in five games this week. Cabrera also had 14 of 17 total bases for the Royals' leadoff men and four of five RBIs.

19. (LW: 15) Texas Rangers (21-19, 2nd AL West)--WS: 1.074
This Week: 3-2, .220 AVG, .238 OBP, .293 SLG, 3 steals, 4 runs, 2 RBIs
Season (311 ABs): .244 AVG, .315 OBP, .373 SLG, 21 steals, 51 R, 31 RBIs
I just can't figure out what's wrong with Ian Kinsler and Elvis Andrus. Back-to-back solid weeks four and five (.306/.375/.426) looked like the pair might lead the Rangers back to the promised land, but the .207/.255/.261 line from the past two weeks won't cut it, even against the stellar pitching of the AL West.

18. (LW: 23) Tampa Bay Rays (23-17, 1st AL East)--WS: 1.055
This Week: 3-3, .227 AVG, .333 OBP, .341 SLG, 2 steals, 3 runs, 6 RBIs
Season (322 ABs): .245 AVG, .304 OBP, .385 SLG, 15 steals, 43 R, 37 RBIs
The Rays continue to rise in the standings, though they're still having problems at the top of the lineup. Sadly, the .227/.333/.341 line was the best one they've had in the last three weeks. Ben Zobrist hasn't been the problem, though, as he's hit .372/.481/.558 this month while batting in the second slot in 11 of 12 games.

17. (LW: 11) New York Mets (19-21, t-4th NL East)--WS: 1.048
This Week: 4-2, .213 AVG, .327 OBP, .255 SLG, 2 steals, 7 runs, 4 RBIs
Season (328 ABs): .253 AVG, .323 OBP, .363 SLG, 29 steals, 44 R, 24 RBIs
This was a rough week for the top of the Mets order, as they had only 12 total bases in six games, for a .255 slugging percentage. They did managed eight walks and three stolen bases, though, to scrap out seven runs in a 4-2 Mets week.

16. (LW: 19) San Francisco Giants (22-17, 1st NL West)--WS: 1.028
This Week: 4-1, .306 AVG, .359 OBP, .500 SLG, 1 steal, 5 runs, 2 RBIs
Season (315 ABs): .270 AVG, .311 OBP, .378 SLG, 3 steals, 36 R, 22 RBIs
Other than a 1-for-7 performance against the Diamondbacks on Thursday, Andres Torres and Freddy Sanchez combined for multiple hits in every game this week. Nine strikeouts are a bit much for just five games, but at least they picked up a steal this week--hooray for small victories?

15. (LW: 7) Houston Astros (15-25, 6th NL Central)--WS: 1.019
This Week: 2-4, .196 AVG, .281 OBP, .255 SLG, 1 steal, 3 runs, 4 RBIs
Season (324 ABs): .272 AVG, .337 OBP, .340 SLG, 24 steals, 50 R, 31 RBIs
The Stros majorly plummeted in the rankings this week, as Michael Bourn & Co. hit .196 with three runs scored. Though speed had been a major facet of their game at the top of the order, the top two spots in Houston's lineup only managed one stolen base this week, compared to 11 in the previous two weeks combined.

14. (LW: 28) Toronto Blue Jays (20-20, t-3rd AL East)--WS: 1.012
This Week: 5-1, .396 AVG, .482 OBP, .563 SLG, 3 steals, 14 runs, 9 RBIs
Season (336 ABs): .250 AVG, .298 OBP, .372 SLG, 14 steals, 48 R, 37 RBIs
The Blue Jays jumped back into the AL East race with a really good week (after a really awful .208/.208/.271 line). Walks have been the biggest concern for the Blue Jays--in two weeks they've had 0--but this week they set a season high with eight, in six games.

13. (LW: 17) Los Angeles Dodgers (19-22, 3rd NL West)--WS: 0.999
This Week: 3-3, .400 AVG, .434 OBP, .420 SLG, 2 steals, 8 runs, 3 RBIs
Season (327 ABs): .269 AVG, .327 OBP, .343 SLG, 9 steals, 50 R, 20 RBI
Jamie Carroll and Aaron Miles had quite the week, though the Dodgers only took three of six from the Pirates and Diamondbacks. The three strikeouts in 50 at-bats was very impressive, but not as impressive as nights of 6-for-9, 4-for-7, and 5-for-8 to give the Dodgers the best offensive line of the week.

12. (LW: 12) Boston Red Sox (20-20, t-3rd AL East)--WS: 0.997
This Week: 4-2, .314 AVG, .386 OBP, .373 SLG, 5 steals, 6 runs, 2 RBIs
Season (330 ABs): .267 AVG, .341 OBP, .370 SLG, 19 steals, 47 R, 24 RBIs
Mediocrity has never felt so good in Beantown. The Red Sox finally get back to .500 after sweeping the Yankees, which has to feel doubly good for Boston fans. Jacoby Ellsbury and Dustin Pedroia had two five-hit days this week, though only two RBIs for the week aren't so great.

11. (LW: 16) Milwaukee Brewers (19-21, 3rd NL Central)--WS: 0.990
This Week: 5-1, .286 AVG, .364 OBP, .469 SLG, 2 steals, 9 runs, 4 RBIs
Season (325 ABs): .262 AVG, .318 OBP, .412 SLG, 11 steals, 47 R, 26 RBIs
The Brew Crew went 5-1 this week thanks in large part to improved play from the top of their order. Rickie Weeks had a mediocre six games (.269 average, seven strikeouts), but the #2 hitters in the Brewers lineup drew four walks and scored eight runs to pick up the slack.

10. (LW: 9) Colorado Rockies (20-18, 2nd NL West)--WS: 0.988
This Week: 2-4, .224 AVG, .296 OBP, .306 SLG, 1 steal, 6 runs, 5 RBIs
Season (307 ABs): .261 AVG, .351 OBP, .368 SLG, 7 steals, 45 R, 26 RBIs
No, it wasn't the greatest week the Rockies have had this season, but it wasn't atrocious enough to cause a massive drop. Five walks in six games, while not great, helped the OBP get 70 points above the average, though the strikeout totals hit double-digits for the fifth straight week. The Rockies are struggling just as much as their leadoff duo of late.

9. (LW: 6) New York Yankees (20-18, 2nd AL East)--WS: 0.971
This Week: 1-5, .226 AVG, .268 OBP, .377 SLG, 3 steals, 7 runs, 7 RBIs
Season (304 ABs): .266 AVG, .334 OBP, .424 SLG, 7 steals, 51 R, 41 RBIs
The Bronx Bombers had a tough week, losing their last five games to drop into second place in the division. Getting swept (at home) by the Red Sox hurts, and now the Yankees have some off-the-field problems to worry about--Jorge Posada, anybody?

8. (LW: 10) Pittsburgh Pirates (18-22, t-4th NL Central)--WS: 0.968
This Week: 1-5, .239 AVG, .327 OBP, .500 SLG, 2 steals, 4 runs, 5 RBIs
Season (305 ABs): .256 AVG, .346 OBP, .423 SLG, 19 steals, 46 R, 33 RBIs
Left fielder and #2 hitter Jose Tabata hit .143 this week for the Pirates, as the team lost five of six games. In fact, despite a .500 slugging percentage (23 total bases in six games) at the top of the order, the leadoff hitters managed only four runs scored this week.

7. (LW: 13) Atlanta Braves (23-19, 3rd NL East)--WS: 0.965
This Week: 3-3, .327 AVG, .365 OBP, .592 SLG, 0 steals, 8 runs, 9 RBIs
Season (295 ABs): .265 AVG, .311 OBP, .413 SLG, 2 steals, 48 R, 40 RBIs
The Braves' leadoff duy of Martin Prado and Jason Heyward was busted up this week when Heyward injured his shoulder, so Nate McClouth jumped back up to the second slot for the last four games. They were a fairly successful four games, as the pair went 12-for-31 (.387) with 5 runs and 8 RBIs while winning three (including two against the Phillies).

6. (LW: 5) Cincinnati Reds (23-17, 1st NL Central)--WS: 0.927
This Week: 5-1, .231 AVG, .355 OBP, .327 SLG, 3 steals, 9 runs, 4 RBIs
Season (326 ABs): .267 AVG, .352 OBP, .436 SLG, 20 steals, 63 R, 40 RBIs
The top of the Reds' order (Drew Stubbs, Edgar Renteria, and Paul Janish) hit only .231 with 17 total bases this week. However, they also drew 10 walks and stole three bases en route to nine runs scored in six games--and a 5-1 record.

5. (LW: 4) St. Louis Cardinals (22-19, 2nd NL Central)--WS: 0.904
This Week: 2-4, .271 AVG, .375 OBP, .354 SLG, 0 steals, 6 runs, 11 RBIs
Season (325 ABs): .292 AVG, .366 OBP, .382 SLG, 7 steals, 49 R, 39 RBIs
After a mixed week offensively for the top two spots in the Cards' order, the Red Birds remain in the top five. Despite hitting a pedestrian .271 with six runs scored in six games, Colby Rasmus & Co. drew eight walks (.375 OBP) and drove in 11 runs.

4. (LW: 1) Philadelphia Phillies (25-14, 1st NL East)--WS: 0.888
This Week: 3-3, .218 AVG, .232 OBP, .400 SLG, 2 steals, 6 runs, 6 RBIs
Season (326 ABs): .310 AVG, .363 OBP, .479 SLG, 15 steals, 50 R, 44 RBIs
The Phils' stay atop the rankings was brief. Jimmy Rollins and Shane Victorino only walked once this week, and that helped contribute to the atrocious OBP. Of the 22 total bases the pair hit this week, eight of them came in the first game of the Marlins series on Tuesday. Rollins had a home run and a single, while Victorino had a triple.

3. (LW: 2) Los Angeles Angels (22-19, 1st AL West)--WS: 0.885
This Week: 2-4, .286 AVG, .364 OBP, .388 SLG, 3 steals, 5 runs, 5 RBIs
Season (353 ABs): .309 AVG, .366 OBP, .465 SLG, 17 steals, 37 R, 39 RBIs
The Angels have been getting consistent production from the top of the lineup, no matter who's batting. First it was Maicer Izturis and Howie Kendrick, but lately it has been all Erick Aybar and Bobby Abreu. The pair hit .286/.345/.351 over the last two weeks, not bad for the 37-year-old Abreu.

2. (LW: 8) Cleveland Indians (24-13, 1st AL Central)--WS: 0.877
This Week: 2-2, .364 AVG, .382 OBP, .636 SLG, 1 steal, 6 runs, 6 RBIs
Season (315 ABs): .295 AVG, .341 OBP, .495 SLG, 5 steals, 50 R, 45 RBIs
The Indians have the best record in the Major Leagues now, due in no small part to the top of their order. Asdrubal Cabrera had a .417/.462/.750 line this week, including two walks compared to only one strikeout. As a unit the top of the Indians lineup strikes out too much (53 times in 33 games), but they only whiffed once in four games this week.

1. (LW: 3) Chicago Cubs (17-21, t-4th NL Central)--WS: 0.813
This Week: 2-3, .366 AVG, .381 OBP, .439 SLG, 0 steals, 9 runs, 5 RBIs
Season (319 ABs): .351 AVG, .391 OBP, .442 SLG, 5 steals, 46 R, 34 RBIs
The Cubs are back at the top of the rankings, proving that they don't need Starlin Castro at the top of the order to be a productive offensive team (though he did make two leadoff appearances). The North Siders scored nine runs in only five games this week while slugging .439--not bad at all.

Previous Rankings: Week 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

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