Lead Off Candidates

By Mike DePilla | Mar 10, 11:23 AM

To hold down the all important lead off spot in the batting order you need to have one of two things: high OBP or game-changing speed. The Sox have long valued the speed factor over everything else, but so far this year there have been indications an actually good batter who doesn't rely on his legs won't be dismissed for the role immediately.

Here are the six names most likely to be printed first on the Ozzie Guillen's line up cards this season.

1. Jerry Owens

The biggest questions facing Owens are 1.)how much of his .396 OBP in September '07, (.324 overall) was a result of meaningless games against inferior pitching? and 2.) can he add just a little bit of extra-base power to his stroke?

His defense is adequate in center-in fact, if it weren't for his exceptionally weak arm he'd likely be considered a plus defender there-and his base stealing abilities are already first rate-he stole 32 bases in only 40 attempts last year, a success rate that bodes well for a rookie. At 26, he's considered "old" to be a prospect or to improve significantly, but that ignores the fact that he gave up football and dedicated himself only to baseball full time just four years ago.

In a way, Owens has the inside track to claiming the lead off spot. Ozzie likes him, he has some traditional lead off skills, he's not injured (just "sore," we hope) and he's the closest thing to a pure centerfielder (save Brian Anderson) on the Sox roster. A good spring could net him the job; hitting a few doubles against major league pitchers in April and May could keep him there.

2. Orlando Cabrera

As discussed last week, Cabrera's name has come up lately as a potential lead off hitter despite his abilities, and preferences, lying elsewhere. Yes, he can "handle the bat," as they say-he's a great bunter, opposite field hitter and contact hitter. But his OBP isn't likely to crack .340 again, and his smorgasbord of hitting skills will play better further down in the line up.

3. Pablo Ozuna

Ozuna hasn't been the same player since his 2006 injury. Even when he was on his game, he wasn't a "toolsy" hitter who was going to bring significant slugging or on-base skills to the table. Still, Ozuna always seemed to make a good impression.

The biggest quality he brings to the spot is an intangible spark that lifts his teammates. No other batter on the Sox gave the impression Johan Santana was hittable except Ozuna, who routinely took him down the left field line for a fist-pounding double. No other hitter hustled down the line as hard to beat out a bunt or stretch a single into unexpected extra bases.

It remains to be seen whether Ozuna is fully recovered, and whether he is an everyday player or better used as a super sub. Even if he is 100%--and he has looked impressive so far this spring--he might be better used off the bench to not overplay the spark factor.

4. Alexei Ramirez

Ramirez's highest level of competitive baseball, in Cuba, is generally compared to high A or maybe Double-A ball in the US. And I'd be lying if I told you I have a grasp on what kind of player he is anyway.

If he turns out to be all that he's hyped-a power hitting athletic speedster-he'll crack the line up nearly instantly. There's a good chance he'll need some "seasoning" down at ripple-A Charlotte where they'll apparently sprinkle him with garlic salt and basil and then marinate him au jus.

If he comes up tasting like Johnnie's Beef, ladies and gentlemen you have your next lead off batter.

5. Nick Swisher

I was delighted to see Swisher's name in the lead off spot in the early going of Cactus League scorecards, and that Ozzie was willing to think outside the box to consider Swisher for the role. Deep down I think the Sox still see him as a middle of the order guy, which wouldn't necessarily be wrong.

Swisher has great power and RBI potential, just like the glut of sluggers Jim Thome, Paul Konerko, Jermaine Dye and Josh Fields, but that's not where his comparative advantage lies. The guy has some speed (he's not Willie Harris, but he's significantly quicker than Thome, Konerko or AJ Pierzynski) and has the abilities to work counts and get on base at any cost.

That's his comparative advantage, and if Owens can't cut it I hope Swisher is the first candidate to replace him in the lead off spot.

6. Carlos Quentin

Quentin would be an unconventional choice for a lead off hitter, and I doubt it is even on the Sox radar, especially in light of his recent woes. He's not going to steal a lot of bases and, like Swisher, it can be argued that his best value would be as a power hitting run producer, not a table setter. But on a team lacking a slam dunk lead off candidate, Quentin and his mad OBP skills have to at least be considered.

Due to his inability to play center and the Sox refusal to move Jermaine Dye out of right field (Quentin is the better defender than Dye, but the Sox are stubborn), Quentin is faced with a "leftfield or bust" situation. That means he has to show he is 100% recovered from offseason shoulder surgery and prove his minor league numbers are no fluke to beat out Jerry Owens to make the starting line up.

If he does, the Sox will be faced with one of those "good" "I just won a huge pot and it's my turn to deal but I can't shuffle the cards because I'm too occupied raking in all the chips" problems: where do I make room for this guy in the line up?

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Oh, and this is where I put the name "Coco Crisp" in. Come on, it's Ken Williams and Ozzie Guillen here. I have to mention him.

Tagged: baseball, Chicago White Sox