The MLB Hitter Who Only Hits Singles

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[@nox1ck589]

Arraez is someone I can see getting 3000 career hits because he is only 27 and entering his prime and his bat will only get better with time since power isn't a big part of his game.

[@tylermccann848]

Can he keep this up for a dozen or so more seasons though? Idk...

[@gradyjones7017]

@@tylermccann848why not?

[@tylermccann848]

@@gradyjones7017 that's tough... Like, really tough. To be a guy who can keep up a 200 hit a season pace for over ten years is hard enough. Factor in age and the fact that production for players usually drops in their 30s, and the rising young talent that will always be there, it's just highly unlikely.

[@granta3044]

​@@tylermccann848idk bout that. There are good drugs nowadays. And theyre always getting better. lol

[@tylermccann848]

@@granta3044 hitters are getting better, but so aren't pitchers. And offense is steadily declining compared to years past - something to also consider. I'm not saying I'm not rooting for the guy, I am. I hope we get a few 3K hit guys in the next couple of decades. I just think the odds are stacked against them.

[@northstarjakobs]

Twins fan here, I loved watching Arraez when he played for us, and I was sad to see him go (though I do love Pablo Lopez). It's nice to see him still hitting his way in Miami and now San Diego.

[@otgbaby4615]

López got a 5 era lifetime with Minnesota 💀💀

[@Spencer1231]

He at least shoved in the playoffs when it really mattered

[@jareddanielcunanan4303]

Eric sims needs to step off this man is the real king of singles!

[@collin82684]

Eric Sim = king of bunting

[@jareddanielcunanan4303]

@@collin82684 nah king of getting folded

[@husseltoo]

Came for the king of singles comment, was not disappointed 🤣

[@RandallBalls]

I don't even know how y'all watch that big mouth. I don't know why Trevor let him blow up

[@dasfinalgaming]

Eric is still is King of Swords

[@busorenkin55]

Arraez slashed 299/347/372/719 with the marlins in the beginning of the season and is slashing 311/.337/.387/.724 with the padres. He’s closer to his 2021 season where he had an 108+ OPS than his 2022 and 2023 seasons where he was closer to 130.

[@Kratzke8000]

Been saying this since he was on the Twins. Trading him to get an Ace pitcher and open up 2B/1B for a power hitter was the best decision by the Twins in recent years.

[@dontwannaname]

It's good to see that players with different skill sets can still succeed in MLB. Having variety enhances the game.

[@HonoluluBlue81]

The league needs more players like Arraez, just like it needs more pitchers like Greg Maddux. Chasing homers, velocity, and spin rate is why so many players are hitting under .250 and pitchers are blowing out their arms.

[@lukewenberg4271]

Did not know Eric Sims was playin in the pros

[@davidmartin9505]

Since he joined the Padres this year its been so fun to watch and so refreshing to see him spray the ball all around. I think he went 4-5 in his first game for San Diego. SD will lock him up to a nice contract.

[@sir.muffiniii7011]

I wanna see him compete in the HR derby, bcz I don’t know if he’s just weak or is purposely making not as hard contact, kinda like Ichiro

[@BostonBori92]

I imagine he can since he's not one of these players who's playstyle is due to lack of athleticism...He plays multiple field positions and plays them well so I can only assume in that setting if he focuses he could put on a show

[@1uckedout]

​@@BostonBori92 He's consistently among the worst fielders in the league. Also to OP every player in the bigs is capable of hitting it over the fence. What separates them is how often they can do it against real pitching. When taking HR hacks, Arraez can't maintain a high enough avg/obp so he's decided to sell out for hits while sacrificing power and walks.

[@JosephDalton-xc1iw]

He can only play second base and does not play it well.

[@BostonBori92]

@@1uckedout Had 4 errors last year at 2 different positions had 2 errors the year before that at 3 different positions his career fielding percentage is 990 how that's a bad infielder is news to me 😂

[@BostonBori92]

@@JosephDalton-xc1iw He's never had a negative D WAR as a player so idk how he's not a good 2nd basemen

[@tankwfw]

If OBP is the most valuable offensive stat, than surely the ability to consistently hit singles and get on base is extremely valuable. With everyone obsessed with exit velo and launch angle I feel like we don't give hitters like Arraez the respect they deserve. At the end of the day, the art of hitting is putting the ball in play and not making an out. He does that as well as anyone

[@1uckedout]

He's not even top 30 in OBP and he's sold out for avg so he doesn't provide anything else. If his whole style is devoted to one thing he should be the best at it. Players who also hit frequent bombs should not be besting or even coming close to matching his avg, yet they are. He is overrated if anything.

[@arzdiamondbacks]

OBP isn’t the most valuable stat…scoring and driving in runs is. Those two are the objective of the game. Arraez has never scored more than 88 runs in a single season, despite his high average and OBP. Even batting leadoff in a good lineup like the Padres this year, he’s only on pace to score 60-70 runs this year. Arraez is the most overrated hitter in baseball because his skills don’t translate to actual run production.

[@Iamhungey]

@@arzdiamondbacks Machado having a down season and Bogarts being injured didn't exactly help matters for the Padres line up.

[@arzdiamondbacks]

@@Iamhungey He's been on 3 different teams and never been on pace to score 100 runs or drive in 100 in a single season. At this point, it's safe to conclude that he's just an overrated hitter who doesn't produce much in any lineup.

[@Iamhungey]

@@arzdiamondbacks To be fair even without the issues with Padres, the Marlins team he played for had Soler as their power threat so that's not going to do much in their overall line up. Better argument can be made is that Arraez isn't much of a threat on the base path since his stolen base attempts are low which can play a part on lack of runs. A more ideal leadoff guy would establish a threat there.

[@McCallEdwards]

If arraez was a threat on the basepath he'd be terrifying like imagine if you had someone always on first who scared you like Acuña or De La Cruz. It would make everyone behind him so much better.

[@LetTheWrite1inn]

Luis is basically a lesser version of rod carew....Carew could actual steal bases though

[@thelonelyphish]

Since I never got the chance to watch Mr Padre hit its very nice to watch the modern incarnation of him on the same team

[@maverick1956hk]

Im amazed at how so many people believe you have to hit lots of homeruns to win games or be affect. Fans who think that way, really don’t understand how to play baseball

[@TiagoGomez-hb9te]

Are you sure about that?

[@maverick1956hk]

@@TiagoGomez-hb9te Very sure. Check out the 1967 Whitesox as an example. They were in the pennant fight until the last weekend. Their top homerun hitter hit 18 homeruns. The top batting avg on the team was .240 Yet they finished 3 games out of first. With the amount of poor hitting today, a dominant pitching staff and an offense that knows how to manufacture runs, will go very far! Power is way overrated. It helps to have it, but its not necessary to win a lot of games

[@hughjaass3787]

WHOA, WHOA, WHOA, WHOA There Big Boy. This comparison is quite the stretch to be true. Let's see Arraez play 20yrs before we can compare him with the Best Japanese Player in MLB History.

[@tonysu8860]

Keep in mind that a lot of Arraez criticism was the same for Tony Gwynn at first... Slap happy Punch and Judy swing, all singles and no power. Maybe a bit of a difference is that Gwynn was always a good outfielder who made himself into a great outfielder while Arraez so far is playing good but probably not great first base where the Padres are trying to hide him as a defensive liability. If Arraez stays with the Padres where he can be considered a better than expected fit, perhaps he'll also try to improve his defensive skills over time.

[@koiturnbull5700]

Ichiro???????? NO, TONY GWYNN!! I watched both and no knock to Ichiro because he was great but in terms of bat speed, knowledge of the strike zone, and ability to hit all fields: TONY GWYNN!!

[@Christopher-de9bs]

There needs to be hitters like him. There is way to many strike outs today.

[@TheGuitar777]

Not trying to wake your parents in the next room with the voice over work I see. Smart move bro.

[@SuperReviews4you]

Luis Arraez is the most overrated player in the league. He is in his "prime" and has terrible defense, has terrible speed, bad base running, no power, and doesn't walk ever. He has an elite hit tool and doesn't chase often. Thats literally it. Hit tool is the most important tool but every other tool is terrible. Batting average is the most highly overrated stat. Give me a DH that hits .220 with 30 bombs and a .800+ OPS over this guy any day.

[@reicestark7867]

He actually chases a ton. His chase% has been bottom third over the last 2 years

[@SuperReviews4you]

@@reicestark7867 Yea I should have said whiff percentage. Typed that when I was drunk last night.

[@jkahl5596]

It's because his swing mechanics are off. The way he swings will hit for average but no power. He could hit for power and average with better mechanics. There are guys smaller than him that hit for way more power, so it's not his size or build causing the low power. Jamie Cevallos has some videos that explain it pretty well

[@TiagoGomez-hb9te]

Thanks

[@grsy764]

He is what I like to call a PURE HITTER

[@S0ddom]

gotta update the thumbnail he hit a homer day of the video lmaoooo

[@braddittner]

Great video, thank you

[@laartwork]

As a Dodger fan, still mad Padres got him for nothing.

[@thinkpad20]

Small ball is by far the most fun to watch. Home runs should be occasional and climactic. Wish we had more guys like Arraez

[@ellandecampbell6279]

Hitters today having to face 3 or 4 different pitchers every game, almost all of whom throw in the high 90s (and have different release points, different movement on their pitches, etc.), isn't exactly conducive to contact hitting and small ball. Hitters in the past didn't have to deal with that on a regular basis.

[@thinkpad20]

@@ellandecampbell6279 Arraez faces those same pitchers, so clearly it's possible

[@ellandecampbell6279]

@@thinkpad20 I'm not saying that it's impossible. I'm saying that it's a lot harder to do it now than it was in past eras.

[@thinkpad20]

@@ellandecampbell6279 fair enough, it may be the case that Arraez is simply a rare talent. But it's also possible that hitters are encouraged to adopt different approaches at the plate due to other factors, such as coaching, marketability of home runs, or analytical theories. I'm not sure but all I can say is to restate that I wish we had more batters like him!

[@ellandecampbell6279]

@@thinkpad20 Coaching and analytical theories are definitely huge reasons (because I think that all of this goes hand in hand). As far as marketability of home runs, I don't think it's about that. Home runs have been marketable for decades (maybe as far back as Babe Ruth), yet there were still a lot more contact hitters than there are now.

[@pathutchison7688]

I actually think hall in play are more fun that home runs.

[@theunnecessaryninja5861]

Baseball wacker guy

[@Sammy_Boy_Smith]

2.HR now!

[@jonasirw1]

Smart guy

[@Notjackpausner]

Vlatty can also only do that

[@Duck-tales1]

im a padres fan towny gween 2.0

[@petergriffin3300]

Hi

[@mukitulislam3533]

He's a good player but his ops plus isn't as great as it should be. Not s fun player to watch.

[@thelonelyphish]

"not a fun player to watch" Maybe if you only watch the sport for home runs, constantly putting the ball in play is way more entertaining than watching a dude take a strike or walk

[@mukitulislam3533]

@@thelonelyphish I literally had a mild attack when Aaron Boone hit that homer. So ya I love the homers but I also appreciate other aspects like insane speed and defensive plays. Riddle me this Why does Arraez have less than a war and Judge already has 5.3. Arraez is good but he won't move the needle like Ichiro or Judge or Arod

[@thelonelyphish]

@@mukitulislam3533 if you "appreciated other aspects" then you'd enjoy him for his bat to ball skills, but you clearly don't, watching soft contact just isn't fun for you I guess

[@decker528]

Baseball was better when analytics ans statcast were not part of it. Now, almost every player is a variation of the same player and almost every pitcher is the same too. Its boring, walks are usually boring and theyre overrated now, and there are WAY too many strikeouts. I dont even watch anymore. Baseball, if you ever get back to the things that made you great, ill be back but for now, im done with baseball

[@Zach_82]

You’re mad that the players are better than ever

[@decker528]

@@Zach_82 except they aren't. If this is the only baseball you've ever known, it might seem ok. If you're old enough to rent a car and you remember how it was when there were actual star players everybody knew, then today's MLB is garbage

[@Zach_82]

@@decker528 so you’re telling me velo’s are up spin rates are up, exit velocity’s are up, speed is up, range value is up, arm strength is up, fielding talent is up but the players aren’t better than ever

[@nathughes3973]

if dude ever hits 400 unquestionably mvp idc if he has a 0 ISO

[@xGhxsty]

'' 18 seconds no views'' Bro fell off💀💀

[@xGhxsty]

this is a joke

[@somerandomguy5977]

Stop praising Kim okay, there's a reason they tried to get her a boss. She made one good trade and most other things were bad. Marlins fans do not like her. When she quit most Marlins fans were happy.

[@TiagoGomez-hb9te]

Are Marlins fans sexist or something?

[@somerandomguy5977]

No, it's just that they actually follow the team and most dislike her. But I guess to you disliking any woman is sexist.

[@TiagoGomez-hb9te]

@@somerandomguy5977 Possibly. Why do Marlins fans hate her?

[@somerandomguy5977]

Poor free agent deals and they think she lost most trades but she mostly gets noted for the Arraez trade. Honestly I don't know why you're even asking me I am not a Marlins fan I just said Marlins fans do not like her which is an opinion that has been voiced countless times in baseball article comments sections. Also grow up, if hating any woman is possibly sexist. You realize equality means if women are bad they should get it as hard as men, no sugar coating or softening the blow.

[@BrutusJrThe3rd]

3 consecutive batting titles on 3 different teams is insanity & I’m here for it 😮‍💨

[@TrollinNolin95]

@@BrutusJrThe3rd yet players who only hit .220 have the same if not better wRC+.

[@BrutusJrThe3rd]

@@TrollinNolin95 who?

[@TrollinNolin95]

@@LetTheWrite1inn NL Lead in what? OPs?

[@LetTheWrite1inn]

@@TrollinNolin95 OK just looked at the current leaders profar and luis are 1 and 2

[@TrollinNolin95]

@@LetTheWrite1inn batting average is such an outdated stat though. It’s all About OPS and wRC+ now.

[@emupike6]

lot of people say hes not overly useful, i personally love the old school approach. as a Jays fan im tired of watching strikeouts over and over

[@niffirg2328]

He’s a good hitter and any team would want him. But he’s not elite when looking at how hitting purely translates into runs. Power, on base, and timely hitting is really what produces runs and thus wins. The jays also have the LEAST amount of home runs in the mlb. I’d argue their biggest problem offensively is a lack of power

[@fr2ncm9]

Yeah, but, every once in a while, you get a home run. So what if it's with the bases empty, it's still a home run, and that's all that counts in Baseball thanks to Analytics.

[@andrewbloom7694]

Were all tired of it, but statistically speaking, this approach simply isnt as valuable. So unless some part of the game changes where the HR or bust approach isn't as gpod thats just what teams are going to do. They only care about winning, not whats interesting to watch. Its kind of a difficult problem honestly. The shift and baserunning rules helped but...

[@valk_7233]

If you have elite slugger on your team, having a guy like Arraez leading off is extremely useful.

[@Steve-q6l4v]

Runs scored is important, people who get on base more generally score more, than somebody who whiffs 40 per cent of his at bats. Muscleheads are ruining the game. The 80s Cardinal teams were so fun to watch, no muscleheads. Tommy Herr had over 100 rbis with 10 home runs

[@StevenC1119]

I think Luis' best asset is his value in close games in the later innings, especially extra innings. Automatic runners and his ability to slap balls into play is a free pass for that runner to 3rd or home when he's plating. Given the Padres were absolutely terrible in 1 run games last year, he's the perfect fit for that problem.

[@TiagoGomez-hb9te]

Yep, Luis perfectly fullfills that niche...

[@limegreenelevator]

Can tell you that the Twins fanbase, though we love Pablo López (despite his current slump), pretty much unanimously loves Arraez and misses him. It's a thrill to see him continuing to slap the hell out of every sort of pitching. I think the moment that he caught the attention of the baseball world as a whole was during that 2019 season, when he was sent to pinch-hit for Jonathan Schoop (injured), inheriting Schoop's 0-2 count, against Edwin Díaz, and he worked a walk.

[@davekeyes5589]

You’re exactly right. Kim Ng is correct in that you don’t truly appreciate Arraez unless you have the opportunity to see him play every day.

[@CosmosofOmega]

I mass the twins era Arraez, truly one of the most fun players to watch hit.

[@ssojyeti2]

Yup Marlins fans loved Arraez too

[@24tommyst]

He has been a great addition here in SD. Love the hitting style and the positive energy--and the slapping the first base coach lol.

[@cinch1619]

If my team were to announce a trade for Arraez, I would be enthusiastic to have a .300+ hitter, even with the lack of power. I'd honestly rather see someone get around 200 hits a year over a 60+ homerun hitter who sits in the low .200 avg range. I'm not even an old-school fan by most senses of the word, but seeing the ball put in play is far more entertaining than the current three true outcome parade.

[@arzdiamondbacks]

Just because something is more entertaining to watch doesn’t mean it’s better for the team or more conducive to winning.

[@Iamhungey]

@@arzdiamondbacks Having high average batter and slugger in the same line up are more conductive to that.

[@arzdiamondbacks]

@@Iamhungey They aren't, because he hits almost all singles. If you're only on first base nearly every time you get on base, then you require the hitters behind you to string together hits or hit a home run for you to score. It's very hard for a team to string together hits in today's offensive environment, which explains why he's never scored more than 88 runs in a single season.

[@Iamhungey]

@@arzdiamondbacks It depends on the line up, a balanced line up can lead to higher runs production and counting on sluggers to swing away isn't going to help unless they get into a hot streak. Of course you need more than one high average hitter at the top of the line up however depending on what you're going for and the batting line at 3 to 5 were counted on to take advantage of the top 2. The argument can be made that they're not easy to build but these would have been preferable with current approach. That said Arraez doesn't steal base so there's a issue right there.

[@arzdiamondbacks]

@@Iamhungey That's simply not true. The Braves had the best lineup in history last year even though they only had one high average guy, Acuna, at the top of the order. They set offensive records due to their slugging and home runs, not their batting average or OBP. Look at the Phillies too - they had an unconventional .200 hitter at leadoff (who btw scored 100+ runs AND drove in 100+) and had one of the best offenses as well.

[@JonathanPickleston]

Honestly, my favorite player. PURE CONTACT HITTER in the age of power guys

[@sir.muffiniii7011]

IMO a pure hitter is a guy who can do both, EG: Soto, Judge, Betts, Acuna, Ohtani, Freeman, etc

[@m.u.sik4eva]

Thats a reachy glaze my boy 😅

[@Shadow27Titan]

@@sir.muffiniii7011agreed. He’s more of a pure CONTACT hitter

[@sir.muffiniii7011]

@@Shadow27Titan exactly, like the best hitters should be called pure hitters, and while Arraez is one of the better hitters in the league, he’s not the best due to his lack of power

[@Hoscue]

​@@sir.muffiniii7011well ackchyually

[@ellandecampbell6279]

A lot of people say that they wanna see more hitters like Arraez, but look at what pitching has become. Hitters today face 3 or 4 different pitchers every game, almost all of whom throw in the high 90s (and have different release points, different movement on their pitches, etc.). That's not conducive to contact hitting and small ball. Hitters in the past didn't have to face that type of pitching on a consistent basis.

[@TiagoGomez-hb9te]

Unless you're the 2014-2015 Kansas City Royals. You evident haven't played postseason baseball...

[@ellandecampbell6279]

@@TiagoGomez-hb9te That was 10 years ago, and there are exceptions to every rule. Even in the playoffs, the team that outhomers their opponent almost always wins.

[@TiagoGomez-hb9te]

@@ellandecampbell6279 I like how you say this when the SF Giants dominated in the playoffs soley off of situational hitting, elite pitching and amazing fielding. How do you force pitchers to give up HRs in the playoffs then? MLB has seriously been juicing up the baseball like crazy these past couple of seasons...

[@ellandecampbell6279]

@@TiagoGomez-hb9te During the Giants' 3 championship seasons, they outhomered (or were even with) the majority of their postseason opponents over the course of the series.

[@TiagoGomez-hb9te]

@@ellandecampbell6279 Okay, I don't think you fully understand what I'm trying to say. HR or Bust doesn't work in the postseason. The SF Giants didn't have anybody who hit 30+ Homers per seasom in their roster, closest that had were Pablo Sandoval and Buster Posey, nor did they have elite bats in their roster. The Giants won all those WS titles by elite pitching, especially their bullpen, *situational hitting,* and elite fielding. *They still were primarliy hitting for contact.* Their hitters weren't looking for hitting bombs everytime they AB. They just let HRs come naturally to them in the big spots rather than forcing out HRs. Their hitters were really resilient in the plate, being able to tank 0-2 counts really well, defending the plate and fouling off pitches forever even during that 0-2 count. They didn't stupidly tank that 0-2 count waiting for a walk or waiting for that HR hit to happen but you strike out embarrasingly like your typical modern MLB player does. They fought tooth and nail for it and made pitchers pay. One dimensional HR or Bust doesn't work in the postseason. You're never going to see teams built around guys such as Aaron Judge or Giancarlo Stanton or Max Muncy win unless your team is already crazy loaded. The Phillies only got away with this back in 2008 because of their nutty bullpen...

[@BendyDH]

Glad Arraez is starting to get the recognition he deserves, now we need to start collectively looking at what Steven Kwan is doing, very similar player with just a little more power and one of the best Outfielders in baseball, he’s been such an underrated guy for years now

[@Gnar_Dogg]

He's won 2 consecutive batting titles as well as 2 consecutive silver sluggers. He definitely deserves the recognition but there is such a focus on HRs these days I feel like he gets overlooked. As far as Kwan I think last season made people forget about him even though he didn't have a bad year. It was just worse than his rookie season but looks like he's back to that with a lot more power. He's on pace to nearly triple his career HR record so far while still hitting .300+ while having nearly as many walks as strikeouts, plus having GG defense. Guys like Kwan and Arraez are just going to get overlooked by more casual fans because they aren't hitting 35+ HRs.

[@daviemerim3002]

If you're single, Arraez is your guy.

[@brianchu3317]

Can you imagine a player who can adjust batting speed based on situations? Stanton can be a real beast if he’s able to have a 2 strike approach (like Soto’s) or with runners in scoring position.

[@TiagoGomez-hb9te]

Agreed!!!!

[@kongs-gaming]

Jeff mcneil need to call arraez

[@Bigboy-r4k]

Jeff is to busy playing golf and his swing is messed up because of it!! He looks like he’s trying to play golf with all the fly outs he produces

[@kongs-gaming]

@@Bigboy-r4k you are not wrong and its actually insane that the mets hitting coach still didn't catch it

[@TiagoGomez-hb9te]

​@@kongs-gaming Yep. Pretty much...

[@jordane19969]

If he doesn’t hit at least 320, he will be taken out of the lineup. He has no power or defense. He doesn’t walk, so his obp isn’t that great. Doubt the run will continue long

[@Itskittles43l0]

Arraez is that guy that can always get one base, and can make a normal 1 Run Homer into a 2 Run Homer, doesn't tend to be Swing Happy, and Doesn't Strikeout Alot. Though i have to say everything else outside of that he is either mid or bad at, Like his Defense for example. And kinda surprises me that He's Ahead of Ketel Marte in All Star Voting, while i could be here naming all the stats that Point to Marte, im just going leave it at that.

[@samzylstra7764]

It’s my bad that trade went through from the Twins to the Marlins. Got an Arraez Jersey right before he got traded jersey curse as always

[@KnotchiGaming]

I love that Arraez is making batting average relevant again. On-base plus slugging (OPS) is overrated. Hits move runners. The Padres really needed him!

[@myplane150]

It really is something that a player can win a batting title with a 316 average. Baseball has surely changed (and not necessarily for the better).

[@Vandakai]

In this day and age anyone hitting over 300 is super rare sadly..

[@mambo6365]

It’s because you two nitwits haven’t factored how much better pitching has gotten as well.

[@Iamhungey]

@@Vandakai Same with pitchers going past 6 innings, it wasn't long ago 7 innings were normal where 8 innings would be done to save the bull pen from getting overused. Then again that was before pitchers starts having closer mentality where they decided that throwing as hard as possible at every pitch is the best way, leading to injuries.

[@Vandakai]

@@Iamhungey That is another very good point that I completely agree with.

[@nickpayne7267]

Yeah I mean look at Tony Gwynn's career stats

[@kisguzal]

Steven Kwan swings his swing. Arraez's swings are responding to how the pitcher's ball comes at him.

[@TiagoGomez-hb9te]

Explain the difference please?

[@billybillington965]

every coach and gm just hype him up so they can trade him because if they really felt that way he wouldn’t be a padre rn

[@insurgencybuffoonery8065]

Don’t really get why slap hitter is seen as a bad term. I’m a SABR glazer but I can admit that isn’t aesthetically pleasing for the game. I idolized Ichiro as a kid and likewise loving watching Arraez battle at the dish.

[@TiagoGomez-hb9te]

Players like Ichiro and Luis Arraez are very niche but they're the best situational hitters you'll even see in this game.

[@j.s.friedman9649]

Man, that was so common to have more walks than strikeouts in the 60s and 70s it was ridiculous, they need to bring that style of play back.

[@carterking785]

It’s not “that style of play” it’s pitchers now are just better than they used to be. (Obviously there are outliers)

[@robbiefrantz8170]

Let's add to the list, Philadelphia Phillies HOF center fielder Richie Ashburn, 2574 lifetime hits, only 29 Hrs. Won the 1955 and 1958 batting titles, .338 & .350 respectively. Had the most basehits in the majors from 1950 through 1959. Played 15 seasons in the big leagues, averaging just about 2 HRs per year. Beloved in Philly.

[@toogud7918]

Absolutely terrible comp. Ashburn produced more offense at centerfield. Arraez is a horrific defender so you have to put him at dh. If my dh is hitting 105 ops+, I have failed as the front office. Ashburn was a plus defender who also frequently wakes, something Luis can’t do. For comparison Brandon Marsh or Ian Happ are better players than Arraez by War but never get the recognition he gets

[@MeatyOchre]

His BA against breaking balls going down I think is due to pitchers throwing significantly more breaking balls than in previous years. I’m going just by what I’ve seen, but I remember a time it seemed like he never got any, now it’s like half maybe more.

[@raincntry2657]

Except Ichiro had speed and played GG defense.

[@alexvincent4652]

I do believe that singles are simply undervalued in today’s OPS driven era. BA isn’t a perfect stat but I’d rather have a 300 hitter over a 230 hitter who walks a bit more and slugs a little more. They can fit different roles in your batting order. Another lost “play” is moving runners over. A guy like Arraez has the bat to ball skills to ensure this happens. Too many Ks or failed plays to move guys or get a sac fly etc. just an interesting case of OPS being the main hitting metric

[@thelonelyphish]

If there's anything I learned watching the Padres in 2023 it was that the last thing I want with RISP is a dude that walks, it felt like every time I watched Soto step up to the plate with a runner on he was looking to walk. It was infuriating because our team had a historic struggle to drive in runners from second, it seemed like the rest of the team was adopting Soto's preference to walk so we'd always get dudes on and then never drive them in. It's very refreshing to see that we went with the dead opposite type of guy, want to drive in runners? You gotta put the ball in play.

[@Zach_82]

@@thelonelyphish walks = greater opportunity for the next hitter to generate more runs. Soto’s doing his job whoever’s hitting behind him isn’t

[@thelonelyphish]

@@Zach_82 that's the exact problem here, runner on 2nd nobody on first, a walk does basically nothing, it's another run if a hitter hits a triple or home run, I saw it first hand in too many games last year that Soto would take a walk when a single would win us the game, the dude is one of the best hitter in baseball because of his eye and he couldn't situationally hit, he always looked for a walk or a homer

[@thelonelyphish]

@@Zach_82 I'd much rather have a guy like arraez in that spot

[@Zach_82]

@@thelonelyphish a walk brings the run expectancy up around .3 runs so thats helping the team. Also if Soto isn’t patient at the plate he looses a lot of his power swinging at pitches he can’t do damage on

[@kennethhanes5702]

He’s the pure example of why batting average doesn’t tel the full story. He doesn’t hit for bower, doesn’t walk, bad defensive player, bad on the bases. He’s useful but people thought he should’ve been in the mvp convo last year

[@michaelsegriff3362]

Best assessment I’ve seen amongst the clueless in this comments section. Good job.

[@CdGrifter]

He’s a pure hitter. Hardly ever strikes out, and more often than not he always gets good contact at the plate. Not a power hitter, but he’s always gonna be hitting for a good average which moves the lineup along, advances the base runners, and just adds consistency to the lineup. For what he dose do, he dose it very well. His subpar defense and base running isn’t enough of a detriment

[@wsmokr]

​@@CdGrifterSadly to be considered a good hitter today you must hit 40 homers with a 210 ba and strikeout 200 times that is who people find to be elite and the reason some games are boring watching 4 runs on 3 hits and 12 strikeouts and a couple of double plays mixed in.

[@Matts22177]

@@wsmokrthat’s not good! That’s awful. I hate power hitters. 40 hr great but 200 strikeouts is awful.

[@wsmokr]

@Matts22177 Sadly that is what the pundits and fans want boring 3 true outcome games instead of balanced lineups that can make contact extend innings and score runs besides hrs.

[@bryana9139]

KWAN IS BETTER AND GETS EXTRA BASES

[@TiagoGomez-hb9te]

He sure is

[@brettmog6474]

What I Love about him is that he came to the Padre's and didn't immediately suck like everyone else lol. Seriously though, he is a joy to watch on the Padre's.

[@domeyann]

started slumping after a shoulder injury, should go back to form eventually

[@TiagoGomez-hb9te]

Thanks

[@lemonpug6582]

Modern Ichiro that can’t run or field

[@JawaPenguin16]

After watching Soto get sent to the Yankees, Luis has been a godsend for us Padres fans.

[@JosephDalton-xc1iw]

While the hits are exciting, no doubt, his on-base percentage is currently under .350, barely above league average. And definitely under what you’d want to see from a second baseman who ranks as one of baseball’s worst fielders. Don’t get me wrong, I love watching the guy play, but he’s simply not as valuable as he’s made out to be.

[@Iamhungey]

He normally posted high OBP than that considering his previous seasons. This year isn't his best work.

[@thelonelyphish]

You don't really need to bring up fielding anymore since the Padres are playing him at first, least valuable defensive position on the diamond

[@JosephDalton-xc1iw]

Then I hate to say it, but if he’s been racking up negative defensive value playing first base, that’s even worse

[@thelonelyphish]

@@JosephDalton-xc1iw better than negative defensive value at second but I get where you're coming from

[@JosephDalton-xc1iw]

Don’t get your logic here, but okay

[@cpaga1020]

I can see this dude win another 2 batting tittle and not earn more than 12-15m a year😢

[@Guywithnolimbs]

Stanton strikes out too much, he has cut down strike outs a bit since last year but he does nothing for 25 at bats then hits a 470 foot rocket

[@LetTheWrite1inn]

Alot of players strikeout alot

[@faziobboxer]

This is what the Yankees need, more contact hitters...

[@TiagoGomez-hb9te]

Explain please

[@jamesj199789]

The ultimate one tool player

[@sir.muffiniii7011]

Literally, and we see what happens when they lose or struggle with that one tool, look at Harold Ramirez

[@danjones2164]

I remember watching him draw a walk entering as a pinch hitter already down 0-2.

[@michaelsegriff3362]

Wow. Almost miraculous. Put him in the Hall immediately.

[@arzdiamondbacks]

Teams don't value him because they are right. His style of hitting may produce a high BA or OPS, but not runs, which is the actual objective of the game. He's never produced 100 runs or RBI in any season. He's hitting in a good lineup this year, which should have increased his run production numbers. But if you take his 194 PA's with the Padres this year and multiply it by 3 for a full season pace, he'd only have 62 runs scored and 48 RBI - which are terrible numbers for a everyday player.

[@Vandakai]

Tf are you talking about? Its guys like him that get on base that allow those that hit for power to drive in two and not just one in the first place... It is objectively the better approach just not as appealing as the long ball.. Guys swinging for 150 to 220+ for batting average is sad to watch.. Go watch the 90s Yankees and how they dominated teams in the MLB... They had a ton of contact guys for example like Derek Jeter and a few power guys just peppered in which in my opinion is the much better approach. People forget those Yankees teams were literally almost unbeatable.. BTW for a contact player you do not look at runs scored or RBI's that is literally not their job their biggest stat is OBP% (On Base Percentage)... Runs scored literally is the job of the team to bat him around which is completely ignorant of you to even use in the first place... Secondly RBIs at 46 for a contact hitter is not that bad as even the best contact guys only ever ended up with 60 to 70 at the end of the season.. And here is the even funnier part... He is not even that great of a contact hitter in compairison to the guys from the 90s as 316 to 320 was about mid tier where as the best of the best was like 370 to 380.. People forget a homerun is just one point and your literally just begging for the power guy to smash one and 90% of the time they do not.. But if you look at the power guys form the 90s they would have 40 to 50 HRs and have 150 to 180 RBIs CAUSE THEY HAD PEOPLE ON BASE... Contact guys mixed in with a few good power hitters is what is needed to go back to not this day and age where everyone is slugging for the fences and 90% of those guys suck at even hitting the ball.. My point is that your judging him based on his numbers and he is at best a mid level contact hitter if we went back a few years and even though that is the case you can see how much his approach at the plate affects the pitcher and the game he is in much less Baseball in general cause guess what everyone is talking about him and astonished by him and yet like I said in the 90s he was mid tier at best although that one 350+ season he had was still very good. Contact is king and will always be.

[@arzdiamondbacks]

@@Vandakai "it is objectively the better approach" - except the objective of the game is to score runs, not merely get on base. If he gets on base so much, then why has ne never scored more than 88 runs in any season with any team?

[@emeraldaly7646]

I hope for his sake he keeps the bat-on-ball going because it's about the only thing he does well. He's not much of a baserunner, he's a butcher in the field (I imagine once Bogaerts is back off the IL, the Padres put him at second and move Cronenworth back to first and Arraez mostly DH's), doesn't walk much. He's basically end-of-career Tony Gwynn, just 15 years younger. Advance that more than a few years, and.....I dunno. I'd love to see it, but I dunno.

[@tonysu8860]

Despite his lack of power before San Diego, since his arrival he has hit a couple homers at least one triple(I think he hit another previously, maybe in Florida) and several doubles. His current average is "only" about .330 with almost no walks but that's OK in my opinion. There's a place for his at bat profile on the Padres who have plenty of power through the lineup although it doesn't always show possibly because the team may be more focused on avoiding outs so far in 2024. Just saying, I couldn't care less about the supposed lack of power if he can hit and get on base often enough for the team to win.

[@Justintime2GrowNetwork]

I have him on my fantasy team. 😂😂

[@kashmunney6609]

I don’t know why the Yankees want go out of their way to get Arraez if I was the Gm I would imagine arraez jazz Soto judge Stanton = unstoppable lineup power hits and a lil speed

[@justinlevy274]

"he gets on base"

[@StainlessSteelPolish]

MLB criminally underrates contact hitters and control pitchers. The game is becoming so one-dimensional. I argue that the game does need more players like Luis Arráez.

[@Vincentovich89]

As a Guardies fan, I'm glad Arraez isn't a Twin any longer.

[@romanschuster1709]

What’s the point of comparing batted balls in play between someone with 300 AB and someone with 500 AB?

[@baseballdude779]

He's a very good number 2 guy in the lineup. Turn solo shots into two runs at least.

[@jimjames6990]

High OBP ,He gets on base thats what you want. Let the 2, 3 and 4 hitters drive him in. Luis is Better then Stanton. He will score more runs and win more games

[@brohanfromrohan5771]

Your "titans" of the hard swing is an interesting list. Stanton, Oneil Cruz, Kyle Schwarber, Matt Chapman, and Ronald Acuna are the top 5 in bat swing speed respectively. Judge is 7th, Soto 10th, and Alvarez is 11th in the league. Hell, Alvarez's fast swing rate is only 54.7%. FAR below the top 10 in bat speed which all have a hard swing rate of 64%+. Stanton ONLY swings the bat hard. 98% lol.

[@smbmostfamous1432]

That's why no one cares about him.. People wanna see home runs,. doubles, triples etc.. also his sports cards aint Worth anything smh

[@stoneymcneal2458]

Arraez is an old school hitter

[@Iamhungey]

Minus the speed unfortunately.

[@stoneymcneal2458]

@@Iamhungey True. He runs as if his cleats have weights in them.

[@Iamhungey]

@@stoneymcneal2458 Big time, it pretty much lessens the offensive threat he could have been. Even Wade Boggs while not known for his speed can be counted on to hit hard liners for doubles.

[@sn0ipe333]

There’s two things that are always certain in life. I’m not sure what the first one is but the second one is marlins trashing any chance they have at success.

[@digginginthecards]

Yoshida is the same, just without the high batting average.

[@bigdaddystumps7930]

He knows his job at the plate. He knows he dosent hit for power so why try for HRs? He gets on base which is what his team needs.

[@AndrewPridgen69]

you can understand then why my controller went flying when he walked me off with a home run in the world series on the show

[@AidanfromtheboysW]

As a Phillies fan, I remember when he hit for the cycle against us

[@Mr.Jtea3]

Does he get on base ?

[@CharlesMontgomery-gt9yz]

Martin Maldonado all star vote for him

[@icymantella6282]

My dad and I are o’s fans so we follow manny machado a lot, so we like the padres, and we both agree that areas was the absolute perfect pickup for them. They have a lethal 2, 3, 4 batting order with people one base, and when they add arraez at the 1, it creates offense.

[@Dude_bro21]

“Hit .455”… just gonna gloss over some video game numbers here

[@ldr4690]

Breakdown his swing and it looks exactly like a tennis two-handed backhand.

[@timcarter9146]

Pirates del la Cruz has the hardest hits at 122 mph off the bat