Does batting average matter?

Question

I thought of this while reading the answers to the question about players with five tools. When you look at a player's stats, does batting average really tell you much?

As an example, I notice that Ichiro has a .324 average to Adam Dunn's .252. However, Dunn actually reaches base more often than Ichiro, he has scored as many runs as Ichiro, and his power numbers are far better. So does it really matter if a guy hits for average, as long as he has power and gets on base in other ways?

It's not just today's guys, either. HOFers like Mike Schmidt (.267) and Reggie Jackson (.262) weren't exactly five-toolers, but it didn't seem to matter.

Answer 1

A better measure, you're right, is OBP, or even OPS (though that's more for power hitters). OPS is a measure of average bases earned per plate appearance. OBP is a measure of average number of baserunning opportunities per plate appearance.

If you want to look at runs scored as a measure, instead of looking at runs by the player, look instead at runs scored as a measure of the remainder of the team's RBI.

Like this:
Ichiro has scored 79 runs, while the rest of the team (who theoretically are driving Ichiro in) have scored 479 RBI, for a .164 R/RBI ratio. In other words, for every one RBI tallied by a Mariners hitter, .164 of that 1 RBI is Suzuki Ichiro.

Dunn has scored 80 runs, and the rest of the Reds have scored 460 RBI, for a .174 R/RBI ratio.

What this tells you is that although they have scored about the same number of runs, Adam Dunn is NOT backed up by much better players than Ichiro. This tells us that while Dunn is on base more than Ichiro (OBP: .377 Dunn, .374 Ichiro), he is also better at manufacturing runs when he's on the basepaths.

Answer 2

batting average is just the odds of getting a hit... just because a guy is up such as reggie jackson or mike schmidt doesnt mean that they will hit a home run when you need it... they just hit more... and they have better eyes at the plate so they draw more walks... ichiro having a higher batting average meaning that he has higher odds of getting a hit.... without hearing the names of people who would you rather have up in a clutch situation in which u need a hit... someone who gets a hit 1 in 3 at bats or someone who gets a hit 1 in 4 or 1 in 5 at bats? u would go with the 1 in 3 because u have better odds right? well that would be ichiro compared to people like reggie jackson and those power hitters... they might drive in more runs and rbi's and because they r power hitters they might draw more walks... but people like ichiro and derek jeter are just as valuable because they are the ones that get the hits to get on base and drive in the runners that thier team needs.... so yes it does matter to a certain point... a little lengthy but o well

Answer 3

Well it actually does matter. I mean when you have a .250 carrer average and 500 or more homers and be considered a power hitter but not a average guy. But you would still make it to the HOF. But if you have a .345 carrer batting average. But just 700 runs scored or 200 homers thats just ok. Look at Troy Glaus he has a .260 carrer average. but 254 homers if he gets 300 more homers he probably will eb a HOFer. and Ichiro has over .310 average. But his runs scored or homers arent real high.

Answer 4

Like any statistic, batting average doesn't tell the whole story. Clearly, if you want to measure 'effectiveness at the plate', you want to factor in walks, so 'on base percentage' might be a more interesting stat. On the other hand, if the job of the hitter is to knock runners in, a high OBP is useless, if it's achieved through walks. You need to look across many factors and the job of the hitter (power vs. average).

Answer 5

5 tooled players do these 5 things well: hitting for average, hitting for power, baserunning skills and speed, throwing ability and fielding abilities... average isn't everything, but yes it's important, especially average with men in scoring position and in pressure situations.

In your example I would say that Ichiro is a more valuable player because he gets on base, can steal, is fast, is a great fielder and has a cannon for an arm.

Answer 6

Batting avg is not the important stat to look at. There is more important things in hitting than your batting avg. Just to name a few: RBIs, On base %, quality-at-bats (not a usually kept stat except on certain teams), batting avg w/ runners on base.

Those stats usually look at how well do you hit under pressure and in clutch situations. Also, the quality-at bats gives you an idea for how well you situationally hit like bunts and moving runners and sacrifice flys and the things that get over looked.

Answer 7

It's nothing more than what it is, an average. Weather conditions play part, how the sun shines in a players eyes, what's going through their head (marriage problems?), etc. It's just how they feel that day.

Answer 8

So enable me placed it to you this way... standard 10 stat league, it is a million of 10 stats so definite it truly is major. yet as for score gamers and "going for that stat" i imagine it truly is puffed up thoroughly. 3 hundred and sixty 5 days to three hundred and sixty 5 days it variations with gamers. face to face leagues it skill decrease than rotisserie too for my area. once you've a face to face league and "throw" a stat like uncomplicated yet have 8 Adam Dunn's you receives runs, rbi, and hrs and win 3 stats.

Answer 9

hell yes it tells how much hits u hit out of every pitch

Answer 10

who no's and who cares???