MLB

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote that I thought the Washington Nationals would send phenom Stephen Strasburg down to the minors to start the season. Now, it’s looking more and more likely that thought is going to come true.

A few years ago, the Pittsburgh Pirates had a superstar outfielder named Jason Bay and a very questionable pitcher named Oliver Perez, while the Mets had a promising, if undeveloped, outfielder, Lastings Milledge, whom they traded to the Washington Nationals for Ryan Church.

Now the Pirates have both Milledge and Church, while the Mets have Bay and Perez.

Neither the Pirates nor the Mets have outfielder Xavier Nady, who was the consideration for Perez (and reliever Roberto Hernandez, who lasted only two months with the Mets).

How much stock should we take into performances from the off-season winter leagues?

I think it becomes a question of merit when you have someone that is downright dominating. For instance, take someone like Mike Maroth, who is currently in camp with the Minnesota Twins.

Going into this season, there is a list of top caliber baseball studs who are leadoff hitters or should be leadoff hitters.

Some have more power than others, some hit for a higher average, some are faster than others, and some have higher on-base percentages than others.

Let's take a look at the best leadoff hitters or some who are not leadoff hitters who should be hitting leadoff.

Unlike the young-gun non-roster invitees who have been reassigned to minor league camps and may still have the whole baseball world before them, these more veteran pitchers need to shine now if they’re to make the 2010 show.

With the starting rotation and bullpen largely predetermined, there aren’t many spots for these aging devotees of the diamond gods.

While they await the sign to take the field and pray for injuries or trades to free up roster space, let’s take a look at who they are and where they’ve been.