Who should hit leadoff for the Phillies this season? Are you happy with Kyle Schwarber, or should the Phillies look elsewhere — maybe in the direction of Trea Turner?

In this version of my Behind the Plate column, I’ll take a look at the situation, as well as review some of the game’s greatest leadoff hitters to step in the box.

Also, I’ll review the results of a recent Times News Lehighton Sports Facebook poll of who should be in the top spot with Schwarber, Turner, Bryson Stott, as well some leadoff hitters from the past.

In addition, there’ll be some newsy notes, and a look back at a local star.

You Make the Call ... In the results of the Times News Facebook poll, Schwarber — the current Phils’ leadoff hitter — won the vote, 48 percent to 35 percent over Turner. Johan Rojas gained 13 percent and Stott netted one percent.

Thanks to all who participated.

The Favorite ... Schwarber has hit leadoff in 380 games for the Phillies with 33 homers in his first at-bat. He has an OBP of .348, and a slugging percentage of .566, an average of .242 with 66 strikeouts and 53 walks. Overall, Schwarber has 131 homers with 302 RBIs, a .221 average, 612 strikeouts, and a .344 OBP with a slugging percentage of .488 in three seasons.

The Frontrunner ... Over his career, Turner has appeared in 487 games at the top with 16 homers with a .281 average, an on-base percentage of .321 with 20 walks and 107 strikeouts, and a .466 slugging percentage. In two Phillies’ seasons, Turner has hit .279 with 47 homers and 138 RBIs with 248 strikeouts and 48 walks, 49 steals, and a slugging percentage of .463.

The Dark Horse ... Rojas remains an intriguing option at the top due to his speed. The Phils are hoping his Dominican Winter League output can enhance his 2025 production. During the offseason, the Phils had allegedly pursued a speedy, hitting outfielder at the top of the lineup.

The center fielder recently was named the league’s Rookie of the Year, and earned a Gold Glove Award for his work in center field. The 24-year-old hit .295, had an OPS of .771 and swiped 23 bases in 30 games without being caught for Gigantes del Cibao.

Last season, Rojas hit just .243 with three homers and 32 RBIs, an .279 OBP, 25 steals, 13 walks and 69 strikeouts. In his first year in 2023, Rojas hit .302 in 59 games with 14 steals.

The Longshot ... Stott hit .245 with 11 homers and 57 RBIs, 32 steals, 93 strikeouts and 53 walks, a .325 OBP and a .356 slugging percentage. In his three seasons, Stott has hit .256 with 36 homers, 168 RBIs, 95 steals, 282 strikeouts, 128 walks, 315 OBP, and a .381 slugging percentage.

Prediction ... There seems to be an early lean toward Turner, and it will depend how spring training plays itself out. Letting Turner hit leadoff is staying with the growing trend of going with hitters with average and power, like Aaron Judge and Francisco Lindor. The Phils would like to get better production from Rojas to slide him there, but that may be slowed due to a slight shoulder issue.

The end result could be a combination of Schwarber and Tuner, with Schwarber getting the first nod. Keep an eye on Rojas, or the Phils may pull a July swap for a speedy slap-hitter.

Top of the Heep ... Jimmy Rollins can be considered the Phillies’ premier leadoff hitter, notably from the post-1960 era. He has the most homers leading off a game (46) and overall career hits (373) in 1,455 contests.

Others in the mix over the years were Tony Taylor, Larry Bowa, Dave Cash, Juan Samuel, Doug Glanville, Bake McBride, Jean Segura, Lenny Dykstra, Garry Maddox and Bob Dernier.

In pre-1960, Richie Ashburn was the best, and arguably may still be the best overall. Ashburn posted a career .399 OBP, leading the league four times. He also led the league in walks four times, batting average twice, and hits three times.

Anyone remember Phil Bradley, Ricky Ledee or Gary Redus?

On the Homefront ... Through the years, there have been some local players and sites around the diamond.

On June 9, 1998, former Northwestern standout Josh Perich signed a minor-league contract with the Mets. He was drafted in the 11th round by New York.

Perich spent four seasons in the Mets’ system, including 95 of his 222 games at the A-ball level. He hit .242 with seven homers and 38 games in 91 games at Capital City in 2001. Perich spent the 2002 season playing independent ball, splitting time between Rio Grande Valley of the Central League and Berkshire of the Northern League East.

Overall, Perich hit .236 with 12 homers and 88 RBIs. He was an assistant baseball coach at Lehigh as well as his alma mater.

Perich’s son, Rafe, was drafted by the Texas Rangers in the seventh round of the 2024 MLB draft. At the time, he was a junior at Lehigh.

In three seasons at Lehigh, the younger Perich had 15 homers, 102 RBIs, a .337 career batting average and .518 slugging percentage. He also pitched 11.1 innings and recorded 15 strikeouts.

Playing for the Carolina A League Down East Wood Ducks last season, Rafe had two hits in his first three at-bats, but he was sidelined for the rest of the season after nine games with a wrist injury. He hit .120 with two RBIs and eight walks and strikeouts apiece.

A Shave and A Song ... In case you missed it, the Yankees instituted a new policy to allow beards for the first time since longtime and late owner George Steinbrenner began the “clean shaven” policy in 1976.

Moving forward, Yankee players must have “well-groomed beards,” with the appropriate lengths to be determined by the club.

Also, the Yanks announced that Frank Sinatra’s “New York, New York” will not be played after a loss. Instead, various Sinatra songs will be played. After a recent spring training loss, “That’s Life” was played.

Another Chance? ... Trevor Bauer, who last appeared in the majors in 2021 with the Dodgers, apparently has been on some team’s radar.

Bauer was accused of sexual assault in July of 2021 and placed on administrative leave. He then received a two-year suspension, and was released in 2023. However, Bauer was never convicted, and the case was settled out of court.

Bauer, who has also pitched in Mexico, is currently pitching in Japan. Overall, Bauer has a 83-69 record with a 3.79 ERA in 222 games with 1,1416 strikeouts in 1,122 innings with a WHIP of 1.243. The 34-year-old Bauer won a Cy Young with the Reds in 2020.

Card Corner ... Periodically, I’ll reminisce about some Topps’ cards we had back in the day.

Anyone have a Phillies’ Dave Watkins card No. 168?

It was part of the 1970 Phillies’ Topps collection of 29 cards.

One of the rarest cards in the bunch was Curt Flood, as the controversial outfielder never played for the Phillies. Some cards you may have trouble finding are Jim Hutto, Jeff James and Barry Lersch.

Oscar Gamble is also in the bunch, and he is on a 1970 Rookies Card with Montreal’s Boots Day and Pittsburgh’s Angel Mangual. Denny Doyle and Larry Bowa shared a rookie card. Other notable rookie cards are Greg Luzinski, Willie Montanez and John Vukovich.

It is a good bunch with some classic backgrounds. One of the best shots is Tony Taylor pulling a bat from the bat rack.

All of the cards are reasonably priced and available online.

Time Passages ... Each week, I’ll look back at a former player, team, or game situation from our favorite pastime.

Do you remember former Phillies’ hitting coach Dennis Menke?

He was with the Phillies from 1989-96, being a key part of their pennant-winning 1993 season. Also, Menke was Toronto’s first-base coach (1980-81), Houston’s hitting and third-base coach (1983-88), and Cincinnati’s bench coach (1997-2000).

Menke may be best remembered for his versatility and solid defensive play in the field, as he played first, second, short, and third as well as the outfield for Milwaukee/Atlanta (1962-67), Houston (1968-71 and ‘74), and Cincinnati (1972-73).

Overall, he hit .250 with 101 homers and 606 RBIs.

Menke passed away in 2020 at the age of 80.

Your thoughts are always welcomed; email them at tnsports@tnonline.com