Mark Canha has been almost everything that the New York Mets would have wanted him to be. He has gotten on base at an impressive rate, drawing walks and continuing his stature as one of the more adept players at being hit by a pitch. Canha is the Mets’ primary left fielder, but he has also spent time in center and right as well this season.
There is, however, one area that he has not lived up to expectations. While he has 16 hits in his 48 at bats, none of those have gone for extra bases. Canha is turning every night at the ballpark into his own personal Singles Night.
Mark Canha will start to show pop with New York Mets
As interesting as Canha’s start to the season may be. it is also not close to the record for the most hits in a season without an extra base knock. That mark is held by Jack O’Connor, a catcher for the St. Louis Browns in 1906, who had 33 hits in his 184 plate appearances, none of which went for extra bases. Canha’s 16 singles, if his season was to end right now, would not even be in the top 25 all time.
This is also something that is bound to end in the somewhat near future. Canha averaged 51 extra base hits (26 doubles, three triples, and 22 homers) per 162 games over his career. Those line drives will find a gap and those fly balls will find the seats in time.
Until then, Canha will slowly creep up that list. It will be something that may eventually attract more notice, but as long as he continues to get on base and be the solid option that the Mets have hoped for, that lack of extra base hits will not matter.
The extra base hits will come for New York Mets outfielder Mark Canha. Until then, every night at the ballpark is his personal Singles Night.