A friend of mine bet me a baseball catcher is a better hitter then a center fielder,I say he's crazy.Historically,which position has a higher batting average ?
2007-04-30 08:17:52 · 6 answers · asked by Dave O 1 in Sports ➔ Baseball
Catchers bat .241 all-time.
Center Fielders bat .261 all-time.
It's not even close.
Catchers, Second Basemen and Shortstops are historically the lowest batting averages in MLB history.
.
2007-04-30 08:22:34 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Historically, outfielders are way higher in batting average than catchers. The reason being that there really isn't that much to playing the outfield other than being an athlete so a good hitter who maybe isn't a great fielder (See Alfonso Soriano) can be stuck in the outfield and figure it out quickly. Catchers have to call pitches, hold runners, memorize opposing linups, hot zones, hitter tendancies as well as field thier position. Throughout history, its not uncommon to see a catcher play for ten years and hit .240. If an OF hits .240, he's working at walmart by July.
2007-04-30 08:25:10 · answer #2 · answered by Kilroy 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Generally it's the outfielders. Catchers generally wear down during the season and because of the squating position they often have bad knees. For example the all time leader in batting average is the outfielder Ty Cobb with .367. Of the top ten leaders lifetime in batting average, eight are outfielders. The single season leader is outfielder Hugh Duffy with a .440 batting average.
Among the highest hitting catchers of all time is Mickey Cochrane with a .320 lifetime average and Bill Dickey with a .313 lifetime average.
2007-04-30 08:43:32 · answer #3 · answered by patzeram 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Every position player usualy has a higher batting average than a cacther. Being a full time catcher takes an enormous toll on their body and their offensive numbers suffer. The exception to the rule was Mike Piazza and Johnny Bench. Even Piazza has started playing DH and 1st base to prolong his career.
2007-04-30 10:55:36 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Center fielders historically have a higher batting average than catchers.
2007-04-30 08:22:35 · answer #5 · answered by jonmm 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No question here!! Outfielders generally out hit the catchers by far.
Chow!!
2007-04-30 08:30:17 · answer #6 · answered by No one 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Definitely the center fielders. Catchers are usually more sought after for their defensive skills and knowledge of the pitchers and batters.
2007-04-30 08:24:39 · answer #7 · answered by Brent 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋