Introducing potentially the worst three year stretch ever...

jayno829 · 10-18-2023, 10:44 AM

I was looking back at the history of my league since I had a guy break the career homerun and RBI record, and I must've missed this at some point, but I saw the single season K record was over 300 for a hitter, so I checked this guy's history out and the start to his career is maybe the worst stretch I've ever seen. He was obviously rushed to the majors and he got better at avoiding K's, but man that first half decade is as bad as it gets, especially the three year run of almost 1,000 strikeouts.

Has anyone else seen a hitter do this bad and still get a full time role?

David Watts · 10-18-2023, 11:12 AM

Wonder if this was due to fatigue?

Reed · 10-18-2023, 11:19 AM

I am very impressed with his number of games started. Surprised he lasted over 3 years.

jayno829 · 10-18-2023, 11:42 AM

I went back and looked as well, and sure enough, all of those starts were made at catcher. He was not a very good defensive catcher, either, so this isn't one of those where they just left him in to handle the staff or play strong up the middle. He averaged -7.5 Zone Rating those three years and about -25 Framing Runs.

He eclipsed every other catcher by 300+ innings in those years. Not sure why the Cubs kept starting him over and over but the results are comical.

ohiodevil · 10-18-2023, 03:58 PM

Those numbers are Cam Gallagher esque! He would fit right in as the Guardians regular catcher!

Iu29 · 10-18-2023, 04:40 PM

And I thought Rob Deer hitting .169 in 1986 in one of my leagues was bad! The fact that there were 16 instead of 26 teams might have had something to do with his poor performance.

Incidentally, here are the seven lowest batting averages in a season with 502 PA on Statmuse- the real Rob Deer is tied for second.

snepp · 10-18-2023, 09:10 PM

He effectively played nearly every game for 3 years as exhausted. The performance penalties would have been very severe.

Lucas718 · 10-20-2023, 03:52 PM

Chris Davis 2016-2020 says hold my beer.

10-18-2023, 10:44 AM	#1
jayno829 Bat Boy Join Date: Oct 2023 Posts: 4	Introducing potentially the worst three year stretch ever... I was looking back at the history of my league since I had a guy break the career homerun and RBI record, and I must've missed this at some point, but I saw the single season K record was over 300 for a hitter, so I checked this guy's history out and the start to his career is maybe the worst stretch I've ever seen. He was obviously rushed to the majors and he got better at avoiding K's, but man that first half decade is as bad as it gets, especially the three year run of almost 1,000 strikeouts. Has anyone else seen a hitter do this bad and still get a full time role? Last edited by jayno829; 10-18-2023 at 10:49 AM.

10-18-2023, 04:40 PM	#6
Iu29 Bat Boy Join Date: Aug 2022 Posts: 14	And I thought Rob Deer hitting .169 in 1986 in one of my leagues was bad! The fact that there were 16 instead of 26 teams might have had something to do with his poor performance. Incidentally, here are the seven lowest batting averages in a season with 502 PA on Statmuse- the real Rob Deer is tied for second. Attached Images Last edited by Iu29; 10-18-2023 at 08:38 PM. Reason: adding info, changing year

10-18-2023, 11:12 AM	#2
David Watts Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Looking for a place called Leehofooks Posts: 9,600 Infractions: 0/1 (1)	Wonder if this was due to fatigue?

10-18-2023, 11:19 AM	#3
Reed Hall Of Famer Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 2,339	I am very impressed with his number of games started. Surprised he lasted over 3 years.

10-18-2023, 11:42 AM	#4
jayno829 Bat Boy Join Date: Oct 2023 Posts: 4	I went back and looked as well, and sure enough, all of those starts were made at catcher. He was not a very good defensive catcher, either, so this isn't one of those where they just left him in to handle the staff or play strong up the middle. He averaged -7.5 Zone Rating those three years and about -25 Framing Runs. He eclipsed every other catcher by 300+ innings in those years. Not sure why the Cubs kept starting him over and over but the results are comical.

10-18-2023, 03:58 PM	#5
ohiodevil OOTP Roster Team Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Rocky River, Ohio Posts: 2,423	Those numbers are Cam Gallagher esque! He would fit right in as the Guardians regular catcher!

10-18-2023, 09:10 PM	#7
snepp All Star Starter Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,459	He effectively played nearly every game for 3 years as exhausted. The performance penalties would have been very severe.

10-20-2023, 03:52 PM	#8
Lucas718 Major Leagues Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 399	Chris Davis 2016-2020 says hold my beer.