MLB: Interesting Statistical Accomplishments in 2016
The 2016 MLB season has been quite an interesting one to watch for a number of reasons. Let’s take a look at a few accomplishments from this season.
There have been quite a few interesting statistical accomplishments during the 2016 campaign. Players like Trevor Story, Coery Seager, and Gary Sanchez took the baseball world by storm as rookies, delivering excellent seasons that belied their age and experience.
Meanwhile, there were a few elder statesmen that showed they had a bit left in the tank. David Ortiz could not have planned a better farewell tour, as he proved to still be one of the best hitters in the game. Ichiro Suzuki not only got his 3000th hit in the MLB, but set the all time professional hit record. Bartolo Colon hit his first career home run, and amazed us all with his effectiveness on the mound.
Hidden amongst these accomplishments were a few interesting statistics that may not receive enough recognition. These accomplishments, both positive and negative, are quite impressive, and, in some cases, difficult to pull off. Yet, here we are, at the end of the 2016 season, and these players made their presences felt in the record books.
So, let us take a quick look back at some of those more obscure achievements from this past year in the MLB. We will begin with a feat that no one would want to match.
Caleb Joseph plays entire season, gets zero RBI
There have been some truly awful players in MLB history when it comes to swinging a bat. Bill Bergen was notorious for his woeful offense, but he was considered a great defensive catcher. Rafael Belliard was a stellar gloveman, but couldn’t hit his way out of a wet paper bag. Then there is Mario Mendoza, who the .200 batting line, or the demarcation of futility, is named after.
However, each of those players managed to drive in a run during a season. Baltimore Orioles backup catcher, Caleb Joseph, meanwhile, cannot make that claim. Despite 141 plate appearances, Joseph failed to drive in a single run.
As one would expect, his 2016 season was particularly putrid. Joseph ‘produced’ a .174/.216/.179 batting line, with three doubles accounting for all of his extra base hits. His OPS+ of 11, which is not a misprint, ranks amongst the worst in MLB history, bringing him into Bergen’s level of futility.
This comes on the heels of a solid year for Joseph in 2015. That season, he produced a .234/.299/.394 batting line with 11 home runs and 16 doubles. Those numbers were certainly respectable for a catcher, and with Matt Wieters coming off injury, there was some debate about letting Joseph handle the role full time. Ultimately, Wieters signed his qualifying offer, and Joseph went back to a backup role.
Caleb Joseph had a terrible year for the Baltimore Orioles, but he has proven to be a much better player than he was this season. Now we will see if he can get redemption in the postseason.
Chase Utley does not ground into a double play
Typically, when one thinks of a player who is difficult to double up, the top speedsters in baseball would come to mind. However, 37 year old Chase Utley managed to get through the entire 2016 campaign without grounding into a single double play.
It is not as though Utley discovered some new found gift of speed. He stole only two bases in four attempts, so he was not burning up the basepaths. However, he just had a knack of hitting the ball in the right spot, making it so that he was unable to be doubled up.
Meanwhile, Jonathan Villar, who led the MLB with 61 steals, grounded into seven double plays. Billy Hamilton, who may well be the fastest man in the game, had five double plays. Meanwhile, Utley, who would likely not win a footrace down the first base line with those two with a ten foot head start, managed to go all year without grounding into a double play.
In MLB history, this is the third highest amount of plate appearances without a double play. Craig Biggio set the record in 1997 by not grounding into a double play in his 744 plate appearances, and Dick McAulliffe went 658 plate appearances without a GiDP in 1968. Utley, however, is the oldest player to go all season without a GiDP and have over 250 plate appearances.
Sometimes, there is a bit of luck involved in a statistical achievement. In this case, with the not-so-fleet footed Chase Utley avoiding a twin killing despite 563 plate appearances, more than a bit of luck was needed.
Nolan Arenado leads National League in Home Runs and RBI for second consecutive year
On the surface, it may not seem like a big deal that Nolan Arenado led the National League in home runs and RBI. He had a solid year this season, tying Chris Carter with 41 homers, and his 133 RBI were 25 more than second place. A solid year, and certainly worthy of a spot on an MVP ballot, but nothing too noteworthy.
However, Arenado led the National League with 43 home runs and 130 RBI last year as well. Why does that matter? Because he became the first player to lead the National League in both categories since the Phillies all time great third baseman Mike Schmidt. Schmidt accomplished that feat back in the 1980 and 1981 seasons, making it 35 years since that feat had been accomplished.
It will certainly be interesting to see how Arenado’s career continues. Schmidt is remembered as one of the greatest third basemen in the history of the game, and Arenado is just in his fourth season. However, even in that short amount of time, he has been quite impressive.
Of course, some will argue that Coors Field was a major factor in why Arenado was able to lead both categories. While he did have the third highest home slugging percentage in the MLB at .648, Arenado was also 22nd in the National League with a .492 slugging percentage on the road. His power was not just a manifestation of the altitude.
Nolan Arenado is blossoming into a star before our eyes. In becoming the first player since Mike Schmidt to lead the National League in homers and RBI for two consecutive seasons, he has truly announced himself as a player whose career could be special.
Zach Britton sets ERA mark
In 2012, Fernando Rodney came out of nowhere to post the best ERA of any pitcher with 50 or more innings in MLB history. He managed to become a dominant closer for the Rays, posting a 0.60 ERA and a 631 ERA+, both records, as he went from being on the verge of no longer having a Major League career to an All Star berth.
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Both records fell this season. Zach Britton, the Orioles own dominant closer, continued his mastery in the bullpen as he routinely shut down the opposition. Using a 43 game scoreless streak in the middle of the season, Britton posted a 0.55 ERA, worth an astounding 802 ERA+. Both marks bested Rodney’s incredible season with ease.
This performance is just the latest in the domination that he has displayed since converting to the bullpen. A failed starter, Britton became the Orioles closer in 2014. Since then, he has posted a 1.39 ERA and a 0.907 WHiP, notching 120 saves and making two All Star Games.
With his performance this season, Britton not only should get some consideration for the Cy Young award, but he may get a few votes on the MVP ballot. Given the Orioles struggles in the starting rotation, Britton’s dominance may well be the reason as to why Baltimore has made the postseason this year.
Zach Britton may not replicate his success next season, but he has proven to be one of th ebest closers in the MLB. His performance this year only furthers his reputation.