Why is the first spot of the batting order so important?

[Zagi-CRO]

I'd like to know why is the first spot of the batting order so important?
Or, which spot of the batting order is more valuable then other?
Is the last spot less valuable and why?

thanks!!

[SamtheBravesFan]

The first batter of the order, at least in theory, should be able to get on base so that the two, three and four hitters can drive him in. Of course, the first batter doesn't always lead off an inning, but it is best to have a person who can get on base at the top of the order. Personally, I think the middle of the order is the most important, the 3-4-5-6 area, because they need to be the most reliable to keep the offense going.

The 7-8-9 area isn't necessarily unimportant, in the NL at least.

[sturg1dj]

i think the idea is that your 3-4 hitters are your best so you want people ahead of them to be able to get on base.

[Erik Bedard]

The #1 spot is important because the person in that spot will always come up to the plate the most times in each game (assuming they aren't substituted for). That's why you'd want a high-OBP guy with speed in that spot. The #9 spot will always come up to the plate the least, which is why in the NL, pitchers bat there. In the AL, the best use for the #9 spot (in my opinion) is a fast guy who doesn't get on base well. That way they don't do too much damage by making all their outs, but when they do get on base, you can rely on the #1 hitter to advance them by getting on base himself. Then you've got your high-slugging guys at 3-4-5 to knock them in.

[Jermz]

#1 spot is the table-setter, nuff said. I always liked Rickey Henderson hitting leadoff, even though he would have been a great 2, 3 or even 4 hitter on most clubs, his walks/steals were so valuable in the leadoff spot.

The ideal 1st inning is to load the bases for the #4 hitter, and he would hit a grand slam. So you gotta make your lineup that way. 1-3 should be guys that have the highest OBP, and 4-6 have the most power. 7-9 are the least valuable. That is all theoretically of course

[cardsfanatic]

Well, the fact they are going to get more plate appearances than anyone else on your team matters a lot. Do you really wish to give your lions share of PA's to a guy who constantly makes outs? I don't.

[Pere]

Do you really wish to give your lions share of PA's to a guy who constantly makes outs?

It's not a "lion's share." The #1 slot gets more PA's, but not vastly more.

Lion's share, all, or nearly all; the best or largest part;
-- from Aesop's fable of the lion hunting in company
with certain smaller beasts, and appropriating to himself
all the prey.

But, the number of PA's is still the most significant thing about position in the batting order. A lot of the other things that are said about specific "holes" in the order, are nonsense.

[Zagi-CRO]

#1 spot is the table-setter, nuff said. I always liked Rickey Henderson hitting leadoff, even though he would have been a great 2, 3 or even 4 hitter on most clubs, his walks/steals were so valuable in the leadoff spot.

The ideal 1st inning is to load the bases for the #4 hitter, and he would hit a grand slam. So you gotta make your lineup that way. 1-3 should be guys that have the highest OBP, and 4-6 have the most power. 7-9 are the least valuable. That is all theoretically of course

Super! The best way of explanation!

[digglahhh]

Super! The best way of explanation!

Not really.

Why is the ideal not for all four hitters to hit solo homers? Even, assuming the grand slam, what's the ideal following - presumably three more baserunners and another, right?...

The importance of the #1 slot is that it is the spot in the order that will get the most ABs over the course of the season. That's the totality of it, right there.

[Zagi-CRO]

The importance of the #1 slot is that it is the spot in the order that will get the most ABs over the course of the season. That's the totality of it, right there.

hmmm... Torii Hunter had 600 ABs, Chone Figgins only 442 ABs although Figgins is the first spot?

Ok, the Tigers 1st spot Granderson had 612 ABs /max/, then Sizemore had 628 ABs... J.Reyes had 681 ABs... yes, it's ok.

[SamtheBravesFan]

hmmm... Torii Hunter had 600 ABs, Chone Figgins only 442 ABs although Figgins is the first spot?

Ok, the Tigers 1st spot Granderson had 612 ABs /max/, then Sizemore had 628 ABs... J.Reyes had 681 ABs... yes, it's ok.

Figgins was out for a little more than a month with two broken fingers. He played in 115, which would explain why he only got 503 plate apperances.

[digglahhh]

Figgins was out for a little more than a month with two broken fingers. He played in 115, which would explain why he only got 503 plate apperances.

Not to mention the fact that they weren't on the same team!

[DodgerBlue8188]

It's always good to start off a game with a base hit or a walk which a lead off hitters should be able to do at least 40% of the time. Probably more than that for a good lead off hitter.

[Erik Bedard]

Which is why a guy like Juan Pierre should never, under any circumstances, bat leadoff. Unless the rest of the team is eight Johnny Estradas.

[Zagi-CRO]

Not to mention the fact that they weren't on the same team!

oh my God! it was my fault... Hunter joined the Angels AFTER...ok
But Vlad had 574 ABs.