Comcast Sportsnet’s baseball analyst and former Phillies closer Ricky Bottalico said he believes that Phillies All-Star shortstop Jimmy Rollins should be batting in the fifth spot. He didn’t give a long explanation of why, but you know it would have something to do with how he struggled in 2010 and the importance of having a legitimate hitter hitting behind Ryan Howard.
The All-Star shortstop’s history in the leadoff spot has been great and disappointing. He won an MVP award there with his bat, his glove and his speed, but Rollins has frustrated Phillies fans for years by not showing more patience at the plate in the leadoff position.
The lineup is sure to be a major topic when the Phils head to Clearwater later this month. Who will be leading off and who will be protecting first baseman Howard in the fifth spot will be major questions.
I had to take a good look at the Phillies stats from 2010 before I could make a legitimate decision.
Rollins is looking to have a big year after being hampered with injuries in 2010. He hit .243 with 40 base on balls and a .320 on base percentage. 
Rollins struckout 32 times, scored 48 runs, while hitting 8 home runs and driving in 41. The Gold Glove winning shortstop stole 17 bases and collected 85 hits in 88 games.
They need him to have a big year in 2011 whether he’s leading off or protecting Howard in the fifth spot.
The other candidate for the starting spot Shane Victorino hit .259 in 2010 with 53 baseball on balls and a .327 on base percentage. He hit 18 home runs and drove in 69 runs. Victorino struckout 79 times scored 84 runs and collected 152 hits in 147 games. The centerfielder stole 34 bases.
I would start off the season with Rollins in the leadoff spot. If he struggled I would got to Victorino later.
Your right G, wow what nasty averages no wonder we didn’t win WS last 2 yrs….Hope the All Star pitching line up is enough
I would go Victorino at leadoff. Rollins has been disappointing for a typical leadoff guy for most of his career. I wouldn’t put Rollins 5th though either. Maybe 6th, but if Brown is playing and playing the way he potentially could…… I would put Rollins 7th.
the only reason i could think of to bat jimmy in the 5 hole is bc he can bat right handed and somewhat protect howard…hes got more pop offf the bat than shane does…that being said, jimmy is at his best( and the team as a whole for that matter) when he is being the catalyst and leading off, getting on base, and maybe stealin a bag but certainly scoring a run….since it is a contract yr i expect jimmy to have a real nice year no matter where he hits…though shane did have some success battin leadoff last yr, he has struggled there for the most part…no jayson werth really does leave alot of questions in the lineup and in the outfield…now we barely have a rf and god forbid shane goes down whos gonna play center…i still think the phils will somehow aquire a right handed outfielder who can play all 3 spots…oh yea and jimmy for leadoff…
Either way, we have no real good leadoff hitter, but if you look at the splits of both players……. Rollins does a lot better with men on base. That is where batting lower will help him.
Paulman’s Projected Starting Line-Up for 2011 Phillies
Versus a Right-Handed Pitcher
#1) Rollins
#2) Polanco
#3) Utley
#4) Howard
#5) Ibanez
#6) Victorino
#7) D Brown
#8) Ruiz (If Brown can get on base, Ruiz should see a lot of Fastballs whichis when he’s at his best and he hits a lot of doubles in the gap which score Brown easily with his speed)
#9) Pitcher
Versus Left-Handed Pitching
#1) Victorino
#2) Utley
#3) Polanco
#4) Howard
#5) RF – Francisco
#6) Rollins
#7) LF Mayberry
#8) Ruiz
#9) Pitcher
rollins, although not prototypical leadoff man, he is the team’s leader, he is aggressive, brings the intangibles, and sets the tone
Neither one hit for average last year, but Victo has been more consistent over the last couple of years. His steals have also been higher than Jimmy too. While I am not sold on either in the leadoff spot, I think that it makes more sense for J-Roll to bat lower in the order, because Victo is your only real speed in the lineup and he is wasted batting 7th.
i hope this is rhetorical. def. rollins. victorino sucked in the 1 hole
*** Trade Alert ****
Phils Trade P Joe Blanton to the Chicago White Sox for CF Juan Pierre
and a minor leaguer infielder.
Phils play Pierre in CF and he bats leadoff in the games when he plays
(About 70% of the time) , then Victorino plays RF…
When facing a Lefty, Victorino is in CF and Right Hand batters Francsico/Mayberry play RF..
Have Domonic Brown start and get a full season at AAA and then plan on him on the big squad for 2012 Season once Ibanez is gone…