1. Byung Ho Park, 2016 Minnesota Twins, 31 HR, 56 RBI (on pace)

2. Rob Deer, 1992 Detroit Tigers, 32 HR, 64 RBI

3. Felix Mantilla, 1964 Boston Red Sox, 30 HR, 64 RBI

4. Hanley Ramirez, 2008 Florida Marlins, 33 HR, 67 RBI

5. Brad WIlkerson, 2004 Montreal Expos, 32 HR, 67 RBI

That's what a .100 BA with RISP will do for you. Park's also hitting just .154 with anyone on base, compared to .271 with the bases empty.

 

That's what a .100 BA with RISP will do for you. Park's also hitting just .154 with anyone on base, compared to .271 with the bases empty.

 

This is why a smart manager would bat a fast guy in front of Park (and not Mauer, Plouffe and Sano who are pretty much immovable objects) so the opposing pitchers will not throw junk because of the fear of the stolen base, advance on a bouncing ball, etc.

Edited May 28, 201610 yr by Thrylos

This is why a smart manager would bat a fast guy in front of Park (and not Mauer, Plouffe and Sano who are pretty much immovable objects) so the opposing pitchers will not throw junk because of the fear of the stolen base, advance on a bouncing ball, etc.

that and protect the guy. You don't need to pitch to Park when Kurt Suzuki bats behind him

Edited May 29, 201610 yr by Sconnie

This is why a smart manager would bat a fast guy in front of Park (and not Mauer, Plouffe and Sano who are pretty much immovable objects) so the opposing pitchers will not throw junk because of the fear of the stolen base, advance on a bouncing ball, etc.

Teams don't attack Park with off speed stuff.

 

Why would they? He's seen a lot of that in Korea, and killed it. What he hasn't seen is a lot of big league velocity.

Teams don't attack Park with off speed stuff.

Why would they? He's seen a lot of that in Korea, and killed it. What he hasn't seen is a lot of big league velocity.

Teams have used the fastball 55% of the time against Park. The only one on the team thrown a lower rate of fastballs is Sano at 52.2%. He does see more split finger fastballs (3.3%) than anyone else on the team though those don't carry the same velocity. Park has been thrown a greater number of curve balls, sliders and change ups than the average Twin hitter. For some reason Park is seeing more junk than most Twins. Maybe it is his spot in the line up.

 

I should add that recently demoted Rosario has seen more split fingers and fewer fastballs than Park.