First, we need to get over the idea of the leadoff hitter. Yes someone has to be the first batter. But that’s only once per game. After that, it’s just a question of how many times you come up to bat. And that is the more important point, especially for the Chicago Cubs.
Looking at it from a sabermetric perspective tells you that the first spot in the order should be a high on-base percentage guy. By high OBP we’re talking about a minimum .365 OBP or better. Well of course you say. Yes but not because he leads off the first inning, It’s because he comes up more frequently than any other spot in the order.