[Cobra Mgr]

Originally Posted by Cobra Mgr

It's that. But it also isn't entertaining. Do they have a BB:K ratio for hitters stat somewhere? We used to criticize batters who struck out often. And now the math nerds have romanticized the walk so much they don't care if it leads to more k's.

This year, 71 batters have already struck out 100 x's. In 2000, only 57 did so the entire season. In 2000, 16 players got 100 BB. No one has reached that mark yet in 25. And it looks like they are only going to match 2000's total. And among those that did reach 100 walks, only half struck out more than they walked. In 2025, only Kyle Tucker & Geraldo Perdomo look like they will reach 100 walks w/a positive BB:K ratio.

In short, this strategic hitting philosophy isn't for everyone. In basketball, sure having a physical specimen like LeBron James is ideal for success. But not everyone can be 6'10" w/handles of a guard and strength of a center. In baseball, not everyone can try to get it over the wall every at bat. Not everyone can afford to wait until there are 2 strikes before they swing. Only the exceptional can. The rest need to learn to put the ball in play & make contact. Make the D have to do something instead just watching the 1 & 2 play catch.

153 this year K'd 100x's or more. Only 5 walked 100+.

Geraldo Perdomo was the only player in the top 170 in BB's to have a positive BB:K ratio (94:83). After him, you would have to drop all the way to #175 Luis Arraez (34:21) to find another w/a plus ratio. Kyle Tucker came up just short (87:88).