Expert: Rick Bundy - 6/16/2009

Question
Why do pitchers in the Majors tend to be horrible batters?  You would think they would have a better feel for what is coming.

Answer
Lee: While they certainly do have a better feel for what is coming, they get little opportunity to work on their hitting skills at that level.

If they are a starter, they only get possibly 2-3 at bats, every five days, not enough to stay sharp.  Even position players who are not regular starters have difficulty keeping their timing where it needs to be.
 
At some point in time, most all of those Major League pitchers were good hitters, it just happened that they were more valuable as pitchers, at the professional level.

On occasion you see someone like Rick Ankiel of the Cardinals who ran into a tough situation with his pitching, that has reverted back and become a quality everyday outfielder and hitter.

On the reverse side, Trevor Hoffman was a Division 1 shortstop and started out as such in professional ball; but hitting at that level became his obstacle.  Makes a great closer however.

Russ Ortiz is another SS turned pitcher.  Babe Ruth was a pitcher, turned hitter.

There are some that seem to work a little harder on their hitting, which generally nets them some additional offensive support on the days they pitch.

Yours in baseball,

Rick