I agree with you.
Now, it must be said that cp is right about the thing he keeps harping on, which is that Cora is fine with JDM hitting third in spite of analytics which show that third is for your fifth-best hitter.
I would agree that it's hard to name a lot of great #2 hitters.
On the other hand, were Manny and Papi great #3 hitters or great #4 hitters?
The fact is they swapped those spots quite a bit.
Just like JDM has been doing while he's been with us.
I would say no. Certainly not now.
Once upon a time you might say there was some mystique attached to the great leadoff hitters and base stealers like Lou Brock and Rickey Henderson.
I don't know if I would call it a prestige in batting leadoff. There's a common perception based on history that the leadoff hitter is a guy with some speed and an ability to get on base - the 'table-setter'.
Cora thought that Mookie would get more RBI opportunities batting second. That's pretty simple, really.
Mookie might have a psychological thing where he feels better hitting first, though.