Cubs leadoff hitters through the years By JohnW53 on Feb 7, 2021, 4:51am CST + It's possible to win a title without having a high-average leadoff man. The Cubs proved it in 2020, winning the Central Division despite ranking last of all 30 Major League teams in batting average for players who started games at the top of the batting order. The Cubs' .211 average was 4 points behind that of the second-worst Reds, 6 behind the No. 28 Brewers and 10 behind the co-No. 26 Pirates and Rangers. All 25 other teams had an average of at least .230 by their leadoff man. The Marlins ranked 21st, at .245. All 10 remaining National League teams had an average of at least .264 -- 53 points higher than the Cubs!