MLB: 5 Players with More Walks Than Strikeouts
Only five MLB players have more walks than they do strikeouts. The list includes a superstar, utility player, power hitter, a former MVP and someone you may not know.
During a time in baseball where pitchers have become more and more powerful and effective, strikeouts are becoming increasingly prevalent in baseball. Knowing that, it is very impressive to have more walks than strikeouts. In fact, Fangraphs chronicled the decline of hitters who have higher walk rates than strikeout rates, and the drop off is staggering even in 2010.
So with that being said, lets take a look at the five batters in the major leagues that currently have more walks than strikeouts while they last. By the end of the season, there may be only a couple left, so let’s appreciate them while we can.
Next: Of Course Altuve Made the List
1. Jose Altuve – Second Baseman, Houston Astros
No shocker here with the little hit machine that is Jose Altuve. Despite his small stature, Altuve can really do it all. So far this season he has 36 walks and only 28 strikeouts. Altuve is boasting a .343 average, which ranks him third behind Xander Bogaerts and the leader, Daniel Murphy.
Altuve isn’t known for his power, but already has 11 home runs this season, quickly approaching his career total he set last year with 15. He also leads all AL second basemen in the All-Star race, just barely ahead of Robinson Cano.
It is no surprise that Altuve finds himself on this list so far this season, but he has never finished the season with more strikeouts than walks. Last year he struck out 67 times with 33 walks. With already more walks this season, Altuve is trending in the right direction to finish strong.
Next: Cub Number One
2. Ben Zobrist – Utility, Chicago Cubs
Somewhat of a surprise coming in on this small list is the utility player for the Chicago Cubs, Ben Zobrist. Among all of the hitters on the Cubs, new addition Zobrist might be one of the forgotten men. Though he shouldn’t be based on the way he is performing.
Zobrist joins the club having 44 walks and 37 strikeouts. He has a .316 batting average with a .912 OPS. He currently leads second basemen in the National League in the All-Star race along with four other of his teammates.
Zobrist has been a part of this club before, and has actually finished the season with more walks than strikeouts in 2015 playing for the Athletics and the Blue Jays. He also narrowly missed it last season with the Royals, striking out one more time than walking. Packed into this All-Star team, look for Zobrist to continue to stay in this prestigious club.
Next: Cub Number Two
3. Anthony Rizzo – First Basemen, Chicago Cubs
Not so surprisingly, the Chicago Cubs are double dipping in the ‘more walks than strikeouts club.’ First it was Ben Zobrist, now it’s Anthony Rizzo.
Rizzo is mashing in the middle of the Cubs lineup, batting .273 with 17 home runs. He barely squeaks into the club having walked 40 times, while striking out 39. For a power hitter like Rizzo, it is impressive that he has managed to keep his walks and strikeout levels so solid.
Rizzo has come nowhere close to having more walks than strikeouts to finish a season. Last season he had 78 walks and 105 strikeouts. Although he is showing improvement, don’t look for Rizzo to finish the season in the club.
Next: Of Course He's on This List
4. Bryce Harper – Right Fielder, Washington Nationals
No surprise, one of the best players in baseball joins the list with more walks than strikeouts this season. Bryce Harper has an astonishing 57 walks (leads league) already this season with 49 strikeouts. That walk number is a little inflated thanks to the four game series against the Cubs where he walked 13 times in 19 at-bats. He didn’t record an at-bat in the final two games of that series.
As for his other numbers, the reigning MVP isn’t hitting the ball as well as he did last year. He has a .255 average with only 14 homer runs. Last season he led the league with 42 home runs and hit .330.
Harper’s numbers are certainly inflated with the international walks he received earlier this season. But with his struggles of late, it is unlikely that Harper can finish with his walks totally more than his strikeouts. Last season he walked 124 times and struck out 131 times.
Next: This One Is Surprising
5. Carlos Santana – Designated Hitter / First Baseman, Cleveland Indians
Carlos Santana, proving that having more walks than strikeouts doesn’t always reflect success. In fact, he barely makes the club, walking 40 times and striking out 39 times. You’d think the fifth and final member would be someone that has been killing it at the plate this year like Daniel Murphy or Xander Bogaerts. But no, it is Carlos Santana (not the famous musician).
Santana isn’t necessarily killing it with the Indians this season. He is batting .230 with 15 home runs so far.
Next: Should the Braves Trade Teheran?
Despite his struggles to hit for average in his career, Santana has always had a keen eye at the plate. With this being his seventh season in the majors, he always keeps his walks and strikeout numbers close. In fact he led the majors in walks in 2014 with 113.