When one imagines the perfect leadoff hitter, there are certain characteristics that come to mind. One would expect patience, as that batter would work the count and see quite a few pitches. The ability to get on base, either through a hit or a walk, would be important as well. Excellent speed would be great, but is not a must, just so long as the player does not clog the basepaths.
Alcides Escobar has one of those three traits. A player with a career .298 on base percentage, Escobar is not the type of player that one would typically imagine in that leadoff role.