Cleveland Indians: Why Shin-Soo Choo Is a Great Leadoff Hitter for the Tribe

Shin-Soo Choo had a miserable 2011 season. 

After a drunken driving arrest on May 2, Choo's season didn't get much easier. He missed a lot of time, including all of July, part of August and nearly all of September due to injuries to his left oblique and a broken left thumb. He finished the season with a .259/.344/.390 line, his worst output since his 2006 rookie season split between Seattle and Cleveland.

Choo seems to be rebounding into the 20-home run and 20-stolen base guy Indians fans grew to love, but more importantly for the team, Choo has taken ownership of the leadoff role. 

Since moving to the leadoff spot on May 14, Choo has posted a .394/.487/.606 line, with six runs, four doubles, one home run, five walks and two stolen bases in 33 at bats heading into Wednesday night's game against the Tigers. 

Cleveland leadoff hitters have posted a combined .236/.305/.341 in 42 games.

The Tribe seems to have miscast several players in the leadoff role since losing Grady Sizemore to several injuries over the last few years. 

Michael Brantley was the last player to struggle in the position.

He hit .237/.297/.333 in 93 at bats before moving to seventh when Choo was bumped up in the order. Brantley has also hit well since the lineup change, posting a .341/.341/.463 line, with four runs and seven RBI in 41 at bats.

The Indians are 6-2 since May 14 with these lineup changes. 

The fact the starting pitchers have a 2.21 ERA over those eight games is helpful, as well, but the Indians need production at the top of their lineup to keep Jason Kipnis, Travis Hafner and Carlos Santana busy in the middle of the order. 

You have to wonder if the Tribe can afford to keep Choo at the top of the lineup if he continues to be so productive. Cleveland needs to do whatever they can to keep their lineup clicking, and Choo is leading the hit train in the last eight games.