The leadoff hitter is arguably one of the most important in all of baseball. They are the player designated to start things off, so they generally need to be very good. Every team puts its top hitters near the top of the lineup, and these 10 are the best ahead of the 2024 season.
The best leadoff hitters in baseball for 2024 MLB season
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10) Yandy Diaz
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Yandy Diaz is an underrated hitter, usually posting among the league's best batting averages. He's been a central cog in the Tampa Bay Rays offensive prowess in the past and could be relied on even more in the future. He was a top batter in terms of average, and he sets the tone for Tampa by getting on base early and often.
9) Cedric Mullins
Cedric Mullins possesses a rare blend of speed and a bit of pop. He's potentially good for 30 home runs, 30 steals and a near .300 average. That's not something everyone can do, and he's going to be huge for the Baltimore Orioles. They have a loaded lineup behind him, so his ability to get on and get around the bases makes him important.
8) Luis Arraez
Luis Arraez doesn't bring much to the table in the walk category or the power category, but the bat-to-ball skills are almost unrivaled. He's almost a shoo-in to contend for the batting title yet again in 2024 for the Miami Marlins due to his exceptional swing that makes contact almost every time.
7) Corbin Carroll
The reigning Rookie of the Year, Corbin Carroll is one of the league's best hitters. He is a strong hitter with great speed, making him a dangerous person to face at the top of the Arizona Diamondbacks' order. When he gets on, it's almost a sure bet that he's stealing, so pitchers have to focus on him and the batter.
6) Bobby Witt Jr.
Bobby Witt Jr. began to come into his own for the Kansas City Royals with a ton of home runs and steals. If the batting average gets up, he will continue to climb this list, but he's still an elite leadoff hitter. His recent record extension proves how valuable he is as a leadoff player.
5) Trea Turner
If the latter portion of 2023 is any indication, Trea Turner is in for an incredible 2024. It took some time, but he eventually returned to top form for the Philadelphia Phillies and mashed everything. He can hit and run like almost no one else, which makes him a great player to put at the start of a lineup.
4) Julio Rodriguez
Julio Rodriguez is one of the best young hitters in all of baseball. A Rookie of the Year and All-Star, he's a fearsome hitter at the plate in just his third season for the Seattle Mariners. It's expected that he will continue to get better since he's so young, and his hitting will get even better.
3) Marcus Semien
Marcus Semien had a borderline MVP-caliber season last year with the Texas Rangers. The pressure is on the team, but there's hardly a better bat to be at the top of their lineup for 2024. He hits home runs, runs the bases pretty well and has a solid average, so a team can't really ask for more.
2) Ronald Acuna Jr.
Ronald Acuna Jr. is the reigning MVP and put up an unprecedented power/speed season. He's one of the league's best hitters regardless of where he bats in the Atlanta Braves' lineup. If there's any player that's a threat to steal every single pitch, it's Acuna. That puts pressure on pitchers to not even let him get on at all.
1) Mookie Betts
Mookie Betts is perhaps the best hitter in baseball, so his presence atop the Los Angeles Dodgers' lineup certainly makes him the greatest leadoff hitter in the game right now. He hits well over .300 almost every year and can provide some pop. He's not as swift on the bases anymore, but he is someone that can move that pitchers must contend with.