Head Scratchers

by
April 30, 2009

With April coming to a close today, here’s a scattering of numbers that will make you scratch your head.

Bobby Abreu has yet to hit a home run this season, but he’s stolen eight bases without being caught. Apparently someone forgot to tell him that old player skills include added power and a loss of speed.

Speaking of home runs, the Oakland Athletics have hit eight as a team this month. Adrian Gonzalez and Carlos Pena both have nine home runs, while Torii Hunter and Carlos Quentin have hit eight apiece.

Bengie Molina and Yuniesky Betancourt each have 78 plate appearances and no walks. Marco Scutaro has drawn 22 walks already. Some walks are about respecting power hitters and not giving them anything to hit, but others are entirely a function of how often a batter swings.

James Loney drew 45 walks and struck out 85 times last year. So far, he’s walked 16 times and struck out on just four occasions. Now, if he could just remember how to hit for power, the Dodgers would really have something.

Carlos Gomez laid down 66 bunts last year, easily the most in the league. He laid down three in April. He might be the best defensive outfielder in baseball, but if he’s not able to replicate his 30 bunt hits from last year, he’s going to have a hard time cracking the Twins line-up.

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Edinson Volquez has a 46% ground ball rate last year. Through one month, it’s 61%. Unfortunately for him, his BB/9 (6.67) and HR/FB (30.8%) are almost as eye popping.





 

Dave is the Managing Editor of FanGraphs.

8 Comments
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Davidceisen
16 years ago

Has any qualified batter ever finished a season with a higher batting average than on base percentage? Right now both Molina and Betancourt are accomplishing that feat.

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Kevin
16 years ago
Reply to  Davidceisen

That’d be an easy thing to search in a database – unfortunately I’m at work right now. Still, one place to start looking was with the holder of the record for fewest walks in a full season (min 150 games played): Ozzie Guillen.

In 1996, over 528 PA, Ozzie drew 10 walks. He finished the season with a .263/.273/.367 line. So even Ozzie hasn’t had his BA beat his OBP, though it was close. Anyone else want to give this question a go?

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