How bad? A's (Current and Former) Batting Averages by year

by CarneyLansfordFan on Jul 17, 2009 11:55 AM PDT

In 5 of the past 6 seasons, the A's have laid claim to the player ranked worst or second to worst in Batting Average amongst qualifying players.

2009 - Giambi = last
2008 - Hannahan = last. An absolute horror show of ineptitude, the A's claimed 4 of the bottom 5 hitters (5 of 5 if you count Swisher with the White Sox).
2007 - A banner year! We had nobody ranked in the bottom 10
2006 - Chavez = second to last
2005 - Swisher = last
2004 - Crosby = second to last

Below is a chart of current and former A's and their suckitude:

RANK	PLAYER	TEAM	AB	H	BA	OPS
2009 (84 Ranked Players)
71	Jose Guillen	KAN	263	64	0.243	0.691
76	Nick Swisher	NYY	274	65	0.237	0.824
78	Jack Cust	OAK	299	69	0.231	0.730
79	Carlos Pena	TAM	311	71	0.228	0.891
84	Jason Giambi	OAK	262	50	0.191	0.694
2008 (68 Ranked Players)
52	Jose Guillen	KAN	598	158	0.264	0.738
55	Ramon Hernandez	BAL	463	119	0.257	0.714
57	Mark Teahen	KAN	572	146	0.255	0.715
58	Carlos Pena	TAM	490	121	0.247	0.871
59	Jason Giambi	NYY	458	113	0.247	0.876
62	Bobby Crosby	OAK	556	132	0.237	0.645
64	Mark Ellis	OAK	442	103	0.233	0.694
65	Jack Cust	OAK	481	111	0.231	0.851
66	Daric Barton	OAK	446	101	0.226	0.674
67	Nick Swisher	CHW	497	109	0.219	0.743
68	Jack Hannahan	OAK	436	95	0.218	0.647
2007 (79 Ranked Players)
65	Nick Swisher	OAK	539	141	0.262	0.836
68	Jack Cust	OAK	395	101	0.256	0.912
71	Jermaine Dye	CHW	508	129	0.254	0.804
2006 (74 Ranked Players)
69	Nick Swisher	OAK	556	141	0.254	0.864
70	Jason Giambi	NYY	446	113	0.253	0.971
73	Eric Chavez	OAK	485	117	0.241	0.786
2005 (73 Ranked Players)
73	Nick Swisher	OAK	462	109	0.236	0.768
2004 (63 Ranked Players)
53	Jermaine Dye	OAK	532	141	0.265	0.793
56	Angel Berroa	KAN	512	134	0.262	0.693
59	Eric Hinske	TOR	570	140	0.246	0.688
60	Carlos Pena	DET	481	116	0.241	0.810
62	Bobby Crosby	OAK	545	130	0.239	0.744

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Comments

This is American League only right?

One thing to note, not all of these players were drafted by the A’s. So to lay all the blame on the organization isn’t exactly fair. Guillen and Pena weren’t even with the organization for a year.

You have to include smiley faces - Poppy
;- ) :- ) :-O : -> : -] : -}

by micdog2001 on Jul 17, 2009 12:04 PM PDT reply actions

To pre-empt the stats crowd:

Of the bottom 10 in the majors each year, in terms of wOBA:

2009
Orlando Cabrera (#6, .285)

2008
Bobby Crosby (#3, .288)
Jack Hannahan (#4, .289)
Daric Barton (#10, .302)

2007
Jason Kendall (#2, .272, split season A’s/Cubs)

2006
None!

2005
None!

2004
None!

Not quite as bad as the batting average numbers show, but obviously, last year wasn’t the greatest in terms of offense.

by danmerqury on Jul 17, 2009 12:33 PM PDT reply actions

Thanks... Repeat after me "Looking only at Batting Average is a waste of my time."

In play, run(s)! Talk dirty to me gamecast, talk dirty. - Nevermoor on FK

by designatedforassignment on Jul 17, 2009 12:46 PM PDT up reply actions

Thank you

That’s exactly what I was hoping someone would say. BA is for all intents and purposes a glamour stat anymore, there’s very little value in looking strictly at BA.

by MrMoneyBaller on Jul 17, 2009 3:20 PM PDT up reply actions