Arow leads the American League in hitting the first pitch. He's hitting .488 when he puts the first pitch in play. Jim Edmonds is hitting .640 at this. First pitch fastball, not a good idea against these guys.

 

From today's Chicago Tribune

Wow .640 is nuts. They're both centerfielders too.

Good lets hope the rest of league doesn't know that stat

Rowand and Konerko are the White Sox hardest workers by far. I love those two.

That's one of the reasons Rowand needs to be there AT THE TOP OF THE LINEUP every day, missing just a spot start or two every now and then. Our OF should consist of Lee/Rowand/Perez most of the time.

His average when leading off an inning is incredible too.

 

Just reinforcing the idea that he needs to bat first.

Shouldn't a top of the order hitter be a little more selective, though? Isn't that a leadoff or 2nd place hitters job...to look at some pitches so the rest of the team can see what kinda stuff the pitcher has that night? I love Arow...but he isn't a leadoff hitter...I'll give you the two spot, though.

Shouldn't a top of the order hitter be a little more selective, though?  Isn't that a leadoff or 2nd place hitters job...to look at some pitches so the rest of the team can see what kinda stuff the pitcher has that night?  I love Arow...but he isn't a leadoff hitter...I'll give you the two spot, though.

You certainly can't have Willie out there leading off though. He's too inconsistent, and it looks like he's sometimes bewildered out there. I don't mean to sound like Jeckle here, but Rowand's a better option.

You certainly can't have Willie out there leading off though.  He's too inconsistent, and it looks like he's sometimes bewildered out there.  I don't mean to sound like Jeckle here, but Rowand's a better option.

True...but Willie walks more than Arow. He is inconsistent, but until this year, so was Rowand. I don't think we really have a true leadoff hitter...which is why, i've been brought over to the dark side and I think Catalanato would be good for this team...hopefully, they will be able to fit his name on the back of the uni...

 

Just another reason why taking pitches is often overrated - the first fastball is many times the best pitch you are going to see in an at bat

Another guy with a spike in BA on the first pitch is Joe Crede. He hits something like .411 on the first pitch. Makes me wonder why these guys don't have field days against pitchers like Radke--Guys who don't walk anybody who constantly throw first pitch strikes.

Aaron not only needs to be in the top of the order but the fate of our team rests on it.

AROW at 1,2 = 1st place

AROW at 7th hole = 3rd Place