Shane Victorino: 5 Reasons Philadelphia Phillies Outfielder Should Bat Leadoff

With Shane Victorino scheduled to come off the DL on June 3rd, manager Charlie Manuel has a tough decision on where to place him in the lineup upon his return.

The answer is simple: leadoff. Manuel has to make the decision that makes his team most likely to win games. The Phillies are a better ball club with Shane leading off.

Jimmy Rollins is past his prime, and a drop in the lineup is long overdue. Rollins is not a leadoff hitter anymore; he has a poor on-base percentage and a mediocre batting average.  

At 5'8'' on a good day, Jimmy needs to learn to hit the ball on the ground. He pops up more than any "leadoff hitter" in all of baseball, and it's time for a change.

Here are five reasons why Shane Victorino has earned the right to be the Phillies' leadoff hitter.

5. Speed

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ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 10: Shane Victorino #8 of the Philadelphia Phillies runs the bases against the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field on April 10, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. The Phillies won 3-0. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

Shane Victorino will without a doubt lead the Phillies in stolen bases this season when everything is said and done. Shane's number of stolen bases has increased over the past few seasons. He stole 25 bags in in 2009 and then 34 in 2010. Look for Shane to match or pass that number in 2011.

In the 39 games Shane has played this season, he has eight stolen bases and has only been caught one time.

Jimmy Rollins' number of stolen bases has decreased rapidly since 2008. In 2008, he stole 47 bases and was caught only three times. In 2009, he only stole 31 and was caught eight times, clearly showing his decrease in ability to steal bases. In 2010 he missed 50 percent of the season, stealing 17 bases.

So far this season Jimmy has 12 stolen bases in 54 games and only been caught once. Jimmy will turn 33 towards the end of the year, and his speed is constantly decreasing.

It's time to bring Jimmy's production toward the bottom of the lineup.

4. Extra-Base Hits

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PHILADELPHIA - MAY 01: Shane Victorino #8 of the Philadelphia Phillies connects on a fourth inning three run home run against the New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park on May 1, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Shane Victorino gets extra-base hits at one of the greatest rates in all of baseball. In only 39 games, he has five triples, which is second in the National League. Shane also has six doubles, six home runs and 19 RBI.

All of these numbers are better than Jimmy Rollins' except in doubles, but that is solely because Rollins has played 15 more games.

The Phillies need this type of production at the top of the lineup so big bats like Ryan Howard and Chase Utley can use their power to drive him in.

A leadoff hitter must get on base any way that he can, and Shane's ability to get on base with doubles and triples will give Phillies more chances to score runs.

On-Base, Slugging Percentage and Batting Average

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MIAMI GARDENS, FL - MAY 10: Shane Victorino #8 of the Philadelphia Phillies leads off against Josh Johnson #55 of the Florida Marlins during a game at Sun Life Stadium on May 10, 2011 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Shane Victorino has better numbers than Jimmy Rollins in every single offensive category listed. Through 39 games, Shane has a .343 OBP, .503 SLG and an .846 OPS. Shane also has a .284 BA, which is second on the entire Phillies team.

Jimmy Rollins' numbers are mediocre at best. Through 54 games, here is his line: .322 OBP, .354 SLG and a .686 OPS. Rollins' average is .260 and has been constantly declining.

Charlie Manuel has to recognize these stats and do what is best for his team. Shane Victorino is a better all-around player at this point in both of their careers.

Jimmy Rollins Is on the Decline

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WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 30: Jimmy Rollins #11 of the Philadelphia Phillies walks to the dugout after striking out against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on May 30, 2011 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)

Since Jimmy Rollins' 2007 MVP season, he has simply not been the same type of player. He has been riddled with injury after injury, and his numbers have taken a serious decline.

The Phillies need more production from their first hitter in the lineup. This team needs a spark batting first, and Jimmy Rollins seems to have lost his.

2007: .296 BA, 30 HR, 94 RBI, 20 3B, 139 R, .875 OPS

2008: .277 BA, 11 HR, 59 RBI, 9 3B, 76 R, .786 OPS

2009: .250 BA, 21 HR, 77 RBI, 5 3B, 100 R, .719 OPS 

2010: .243 BA, 8 HR, 41 RBI, 3 3B, 48 R, .694 OPS

You can't argue with Jimmy's decline. He is still a quality player and an asset to the Phillies; he is just not their best option to hit in the leadoff spot.

Leadership

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SAN FRANCISCO - OCTOBER 21: Shane Victorino #8 of the Philadelphia Phillies celebrates in the dugout after scoring against the San Francisco Giants on a single by Placido Polanco #27 in the third inning of Game Five of the NLCS during the 2010 MLB Playof

Shane Victorino is a player who leads by example, playing the game harder than almost any player in all of Major League Baseball. Plain and simple, Shane wants to win every time he takes the field and gives 150 percent for all nine innings.

Shane was an All-Star in 2009, is a three-time Gold Glove winner in center field and is the engine that keeps the Phillies going. His energy is felt by everyone, and that is what you need in a leadoff hitter.

Shane spent most of this season in the leadoff spot and had a lot of success while Jimmy was batting in the No. 3 spot and struggling. Jimmy's numbers have not really improved since switching to the leadoff position, and it is clear the Shave Victorino is the best choice to bat leadoff for the 2011 Philadelphia Phillies.