Overview
The leadoff hitter bats first in the lineup and serves as the offensive catalyst. Traditional leadoff qualities include high on-base percentage, speed, plate discipline, and situational skills like bunting. Since the leadoff spot receives the most plate appearances per season (roughly 18 more than the second spot), placing a high-OBP hitter there maximizes scoring efficiency. NPB history features iconic leadoff men like Yutaka Fukumoto (Hankyu), Norichika Aoki (Yakult), and Norihiro Akahoshi (Hanshin), all speed-contact specialists. However, MLB trends increasingly favor leadoff hitters who combine on-base ability with power. NPB is gradually adopting this philosophy, with more power-hitting leadoff batters emerging alongside traditional contact-speed types. First-inning leadoff on-base performance significantly influences team scoring probability, making leadoff selection the starting point of lineup construction.