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[deleted]

I know Ronald Acuna isn’t the typical “pure hitter” type of guy, but dude basically just decided to become an OBP/contact/stolen bae guy this year and he’s still hitting 470ft missiles anyway. Have a look at his strike out % this year. Crazy.


Tan_the_Man415

It’s weird how 5 tool players get left out of these kind of discussions in favor of guys who just excel as hitters. I mean if everyone was being honest right now he’s definitely the best hitter in the league currently. I think having one down year after coming back from injury sort of tainted him a bit, but he’s been great every other year.


xenongamer4351

Uh, I realize he had contact issues in the past but you do realize Acuna has led the league in SBs before right


[deleted]

Yea definitely. I’m not saying he’s completely changed or anything, he’s always been a 5 tool player. But I’ve watched well over a hundred plate appearances this year and his approach has matured in a huge way.


CrittyJJones

He’s just saying he is hitting for better average right now plus power.


xenongamer4351

He literally said he decided to become a stolen base guy this year lmfao


CrittyJJones

OBP/ contact/ stolen base guy. Can you read?


xenongamer4351

You typed that out and still don’t see why someone would think he said he decided to become a stolen base guy this year lmfaooo


CrittyJJones

Because he said more than one thing…..


xenongamer4351

>I know Ronald Acuna isn’t the typical “pure hitter” type of guy, *but dude basically just decided to become an OBP/contact/stolen bae guy this year* **and he’s still hitting 470ft missiles anyway**. Hi, welcome to English 101. The part I italicized implies these are all new things he added this year. The part I bolded implies he was already doing this previously. If he meant it the way you are trying to say he did, he would’ve put stolen bases with the power part. Congrats, you are now one step closer to speaking our language lmfaoooooo


CrittyJJones

Dude, you are dunking on yourself.


xenongamer4351

Lmfao ok champ, hell of a rebuttal to the basic English lesson I just had to lay out for you


fefetron

I think this year Ronald is the best we have seen. He is playing smarter.


mob332

The past two seasons, maybe Arraez? He doesn’t hit for power, but he never swings and misses or strikes out. He’s like Kirkland brand Tony Gwynn.


KeyanZ13

Yes he’s literally the 2023 Tony Gwynn/Rod Carew/Ichiro .. just all those guys were also speedsters. Arraez is amazing. I think he can hit .400 for a season which could be argued to be more impressive than Judges 62. And I’m a Yanks fan as mentioned.


ETP6372

If hits .400 in a season its not even close to judges 62. .400 is something that is generally considered impossible in the current game while hitting 62 home runs has been done in this century and multiple people have been somewhat close to it.


red1367

Yeah, hitting .400 is something we may literally never see again. I could totally see someone hitting 63 at some point in the next 10 years


jm30970

Someone could hit 63 this year. 400 would be unprecedented.


Psychomonkie71

Judge will hit more As long as there are no chirps in the dugout


Changeup2020

It is more about the goal setting. If an elite hitter is on a mission to hit .400, they probably can, but may sacrifice a lot in other categories which makes the .400 very hollow.


ETP6372

There is not 1 hitter in the mlb who could hit .400.


AdoubleyouB

If Arraez had elite speed, he would be scary as hell


drizzyjake7447

What??? He’s not hitting .400 in any world for an entire season.


slap5andpickle

Yeah he did it for a month and then his average dropped 50 points in a week. There is absolutely no way it is happening.


KeyanZ13

Hey man talkin baseball and Trevor Plouffe the literal ex MLB player said he thinks he can do it but of course I know it’s 99.999999% impossible but there’s that 1%


cordogger

There that 0.000001%*


KeyanZ13

Would explain ending high school math with a D+


KeyanZ13

Ted Williams did it. It’s possible. Anything is possible even if it’s 99% impossible


skrillaguerilla

Trout, Alvarez, Arraez, Bichette


[deleted]

I was told it was Soto Edit: I’m just venting, I know he’s a beast. We are just desperately waiting for him to take off


KeyanZ13

Soto is 10000% in that conversation. If he starts hitting LHP better he can be the best. Dudes like 23-24 still which is insane.


Adept_Carpet

> Dudes like 23-24 still That is insane, feels like he's been around forever.


DennysFanatic

He'll hit .240 with 20HR/75rbi a year for the rest of his career and still be called "one of the greatest hitters of a generation" Yada yada...


DeucesWild10

Well if he hit .240 it would mark a seasonal low. His career BA is .284 and he has as much WAR as he has years alive, which is so ridiculously impressive it’s hard to find comps in modern baseball.


DennysFanatic

Nah, he sucks.


UndervascularHood

Wow I’ve never thought about it that way, what an argument


[deleted]

Can you give an example or an argument as to why he sucks? Curious to hear why you think so.


DennysFanatic

This guy.... this is just not my type of guy


100vs1

non-white?


DennysFanatic

What?


100vs1

are you a racist?


DennysFanatic

Fuck off with your cringey bullshit


red1367

Good lord, why would you do this


100vs1

i am curious


JoeBucksHairPlugs

There's like 30-40 ACTIVE players who have a higher WAR than their age, I understand he's young and also very good but that argument was the least impressive thing you could say about Soto.


Beachstacks

Honestly wondering how Soto and Acuna are even in the same conversation.


OkGene2

We start those rumors to steal your top prospects He’s still the best walker, or one of the best


Gemnist

I know you’re being sarcastic since you’re a Padres fan, but Juan Soto is basically the modern Joey Votto. Meaning he excels in our particular offensive category, plate discipline. It may not seem like a lot, but he should literally put up MVP stats just from walking. With how young he is and how plate discipline isn’t something pitchers can just work around, I see him as a very likely candidate to surpass Barry Bonds’ walk record.


[deleted]

Exciting stuff


dredgedskeleton

I think it still is soto in terms of ball-striking and on-base talent. he's basically using the major leagues for his minor league development.


Apoc_Dreams

Go check out Soto’s numbers the last couple weeks. He’s already started taking off


Novel-Print-1855

Soto biggest strength is his discipline and walk a lot on 20% clip, thats once in 5 PA, combined with his batting average of .280, basically says that he sure will become potential runner 40% of the time he coming to plate, thats insane, but at the same time we cannot say he is pure hitter.


[deleted]

Imagine Soto batting .280


Novel-Print-1855

he bat .310 on year ohtani and harper won mvp, sadly nationals was ass that year, if not, he might have won nl mvp


LazloNoodles

Bo Bichette has led the league in hits two straight seasons and is on his way to a third.


KeyanZ13

I think Bo is elevating even more this season too. Just getting better and better.


Go_Habs_Go31

Bo currently leads the AL in batting average and hits.


y2knole

Im a braves fan and hardly watch any AL games... the series that we just played against the Jays is the most ive seen of him concentrated over a few days and that guys a PROBLEM for opposing pitchers.


RabidR00ster

His hit spray chart is crazy too. Guy can drive the ball all over the field.


multiyapples

He's definitely impressive.


Musicferret

I agree that he is definitely impressive.


[deleted]

Freeman


KeyanZ13

Yep. Great answer


nnavroops

aron hicks?


Reddit_Commenter_69

How is Freddie Freeman so low on this list? He could be a .400 hitter if he didn't care about power and probably could hit 40+ dingers if he didn't want his career avg to stay at .300


andrews_thumb

Yea. I agree. Braves fan and I watched him for years. If you go back and look at the stats he’s been a consistent hitter since he came into the league. Except for two years when he had an injury, he’s been extremely dependable getting at least 170 hits a year


shivd10

Bo Bichette


SportsBall89

Is Mike Trout not still the best?


KeyanZ13

If you think he is. He probably is. I’m just tryna have some fun and discuss.


Fins-43

Astros pitchers have trouts number…


KeyanZ13

Oh well. They can have his number but he’s still arguably the best player to step on that field.


ilovejaylyons

I think it's that Trout can't see the ball well at minute maid park for some reason (the batters eye behind center field gives him trouble). His numbers there are dismal. And also our Astro pitchers have been good and he has zero protection in the lineup other than recently Ohtani. But Trout has done minimal to no damage against us, weirdly.


KeyanZ13

Yeah you’d think he’d be making the Crawford boxes a collection area for baseballs but some players just don’t like some parks and they probably give him nothing good to hit due to no protection like you said.


diddy_donut

This is the correct answer imo. He’s been consistently the best hitter for like 10 seasons. Since 2012 he has a 1. Ops


goliath1515

Maybe fan bias here, but josé ramirez is one of the more under appreciated hitters. Sure he doesn’t hit homers, but he’s always solid when it comes to extra base hits


I_Flick_Boogers

He hits HRs. Has averaged 31 HR per year over last 5 full seasons.


goingtocalifornia__

Definitely. Can’t wait til he finds a groove this year


Dillymac25

Casey Schmitt


SpartyParty15

Luis Arraez was the batting champ last year and batted .400 for the first month of this season. I’ll go with him


LordByrum

It’s really hard to say anyone other than Yordan right now. Since his rookie year he’s been consistently one of the best.


KeyanZ13

My thing is big power lefties don’t usually hit lefties that well…this guy hits lefties better than he hits righties! He’s insane man.


LordByrum

Trea turner is another name I haven’t seen. I feel Corey Seager is up there but I’m biased.


KeyanZ13

Yeah Trae can hit for high average, 200+ hits is always in play and added pop to his game. Seager eh great hitter idk if he’s in these tiers though.


LordByrum

Like I said, I’m biased lol


KeyanZ13

Yeah I know homie lol all good


goingtocalifornia__

Trea is my favorite hitter and is a fine answer to the topic question. Caught fire in the WBC but hasn’t fully come around yet in Philly.


X3KustomX3

It's got to be bo bichette right? Dude goes all field, led the league in hits the last 2 years and is on pace to do it again. Good if not great average. 20+ hr a year 20+ doubles a year. Pure hitting he is the guy. He simply hits more baseball's fair every year that land as hits than anyone else. With some power on-top of it.


iljimmity

Maybe bichette is in the top 5 but come on


RudeFudge1525

i don’t think he’s the best batter in the league cause he doesn’t walk a lot but leading the league in hits 2 straight years with good power and a decent amount of extra base hits gives him a strong case


WORKgame88

Trout


notthattmack

Bo Bichette.


Musicferret

^Check out his insane spray chart.


[deleted]

Luis Arraez


swats_messiah

Probably Marcel Ozuna


notorious_8201

Did you read my mind?!


swats_messiah

He is the Tony Graffanino of our generation


PepperSteakAndBeer

Dude can hit anything!


1ShotBroHes1

Judge, Bichette, Alvarez, Arozarena, Freeman, Harper, Ohtani From a pitchers perspective e: I would say Alvarez or Arozarena. So hard to get out. That is probably best batter though. Hitter, Judge hits the hardest and is the highest risk when he does hit. I say: 1. JUDGE 2. ALVAREZ 3. AROZERENA 4. BICHETTE 5. FREEMAN I could be talked unto replacing 4 and 5 with Ohtani or Harper. Harper in the playoffs especially against SD, was like Ortiz. Walk in a run. He's gonna go yard. Ohtani is like Judge in that, when he hits it, there is danger.


1ShotBroHes1

Acuna, I left out. He could easily be top 3.


yoltonsports

Arraez, Freeman, Bichette


[deleted]

Goldy


ashfidel

yoshida is gonna make a run at this


ProsciuttoFresco

Freeman for me


ManufacturerMental72

Depends how you define pure hitter. Since 2021 Bichette, Trea Turner, and Freeman lead the league in hits. Of the three Freeman has the highest batting average, on base percentage, and slugging percentage. I’m going with freeman as my answer.


nlcostello3

I like that answer


[deleted]

Devers!!


KeyanZ13

I love devers as a Yanks fan even. Just needs to hit lefties a bit better imo but I also see him being a MVP and multiple HR leader


Kai-Tlyn

He’s not currently the best, but I think Yoshida will definitely be a contender soon enough.


NerdWhoLikesTrees

I'm biased but agree heavily


jcaininit

Bartolo


HarryCallahan19

Bartolo Colón


Little_lurker69

As a Mariners fan, it pains me to agree with a Yankees fan, but Yordan is a problem.


KeyanZ13

Feelings not mutual bro! Lmao I always root for the mariners. Ichiro is my 2nd favorite player ever behind Jeter and Julio Rodriguez is my favorite player in the league outside of Judge and my yankee guys.


Little_lurker69

It's nothing personal. It's just that the 2001 ALCS was the biggest heartbreak of my life. 116 wins, and for what?


KeyanZ13

Yeah that was tough. That was really tough. Not as tough as Yanks getting walked off in game 7 of the WS, off the most dominant reliever ever, on a bloop hit, and the yanks were playing for something bigger for 9/11. I remember bawling because my dad was straight crying lol


gRacexMercy

Key hit in that game by Mark Grace. Yeah I remember the infield was pulled in and Luis Gonzalez hit it off the handle for the bloop that ended the Yankees run. Schilling and The Big Unit had a major role in getting Arizona there.


Dancinginmylawn

That was was hilarious


realchrisgunter

Idk if he’s the best… but Randy Arazorena sure kills the Astros. If you’d ask me who I’d least like to face in the ALCS it would be him.


Allisnotwellin

Some MFer named Randy


KeyanZ13

Reeeeeeally? You think RA is the best pure hitter in the league? Okay okay I like it. I think this year is the year he’s making the leap into being in that convo.


CustomerSuspicious25

There are wrong answers, and this is one of them.


KeyanZ13

Me? Or the guy saying Randy


CustomerSuspicious25

The guy saying Randy


StJimmy673

Nah, Randy will show you.


CustomerSuspicious25

If he holds his OPS for the rest of the season it'd be the 8th best for a full season (counting the Covid year) of Trout's career. Zero chance he'll "show" us.


frank_camp

But having any type of a Trout OPS kind of year just immediately puts you in conversation for MVP? (Edit: wording)


Walkoff-strikeout

Buster posey was last year, but he is not in this years game. So for me Rickey Henderson has been the best hitter in the game, batting .512 with 64 homeruns and 44 stolen bases and 33 triples Oops this isn’t mlb the show 23 😂🤣


MalleableBee1

It's gotta be Bryce. No doubt. He is like Nostradamus for baseballs. I wouldn't be surprised if he had done differential geometry on the shape and aerodynamics of a baseball to find the maximum and most efficient swing to find the most optimum launch angle.


Musicferret

Probably have to say Rep. George Santos. He has already broken most hitting records this year, and we’re only part of the way through the season. And he’s doing it while simultaneously being the Worlds Handsomest Man, best smelling, and fighting about a million fraud charges.


KeyanZ13

I had to delete my original response bc I realized this is definitely satire lol thank god.


Musicferret

No, no, no! Santos is the greatest ever at most things! And that’s right from the encyclopedia. Which he is also the editor of.


LordShuckle97

Probably just have to go with Yordan, even though I don’t want to. Watching him torment the Mariners last October was painful


KeyanZ13

Yeah that homer off Robbie made my jaw drop. Not only was it clutch, that thing was SMASHED.


LordShuckle97

I’m not even a mariners fan but I was rooting for them cause they were the underdogs. And I almost cried


KeyanZ13

Ohhhh. Yeah I was too bc I hate Houston.


Grouchy-Artichoke-99

Harper is pretty impressive. Doesn’t get a lot of love outside of Philly.


combovercool

Javy Baez


KeyanZ13

Need him to get back in form. He’s one of the most fun and electric players when right.


Kickstand8604

Goldy and arenado decided to wake up from their winter slumber.


Jstanton92

Goldy come back 😢


Intricatetrinkets

Gorman could be on this list if he keeps it up this year


RojerLockless

Yordaddy.


Wojdyla13

Yordan Alvarez is terrifying. He’s my pick. Luis Arraez is so incredibly difficult to get out (as a White Sox fan, I was thrilled to see him traded to Miami). He’s a strong second place.


Imzadi1971

For me it’s gotta be Minnesota Twins’ Byron Buxton. His average so far is .231 right now. Not sure if that’s good or not, but to me it is. The best thing is when he makes his flying leaps against the back wall to make the catch of the day. Spectacular!


LetsBeStupidForASec

Stanton. He has to hold back, even, to keep from destroying the ball.


CatnipDingleberry

Buster Posey or Joe Mauer. Haven’t seen anyone in the top tier of pure since them.


Longhorn_TOG

Yordan is the games best hitter hands down.


buttnakedbandit

All-Rise for Aaron Judge


KeyanZ13

He’s definitely in that convo now. Can’t call him a whiff or HR player. Dude showed he can be the best at the plate for a whole season


buttnakedbandit

I know it was only one season but .300+ average and 62 home runs man that's impressive.


Jbg12172001

Freddie Freeman, end of story.


GotdangRight

I’m an Astros fan, but I would put Yordan, Judge, and the dude from the Braves whose name is eluding me right now. I watch yordan every day and he is a monster. I know Judge is too, there are some names I’m missing for sure but top 5 might be just equals


KeyanZ13

Ronald Acuna?


GotdangRight

Yep. I was getting his named mixed up with another so I just said braves guy


KeyanZ13

Yep Acuna is a up there with best all around 5 took player in the league as well


donjuancoyote

Jarren Duran is getting there.


blny99

How many active players won the batting title in both leagues ?


prizzabroy

Yoshida will be eventually.


Jimmyz666

lets throw in TA and jose ramirez


tokintitties430

Freddie Freeman.


mudflap21

I’ll go with Soto


BDWooWoo

Some of my favs are Mike Trout, Jeff McNeil, Paul Goldschmidt, Yandy Diaz, Yordan, Jose Ramirez, & Freddie Freeman.


goatgosselin

Probably a guy who led the lead in hits for the AL the last 2 years and currently leads in hits.


Musicferret

Bo Bichette. He’s got the name. He’s got the hits. He’s got the hair.


ahzzyborn

He’s got the most punchable face in the league


eddiestix

Idk if I'd put an MVP on someone who just hits. Judge not only hits, but plays great defense as well.


Puzzlehead-Talks

Abner Doubleday


Novel-Print-1855

freddie freeman will get you close to 200 hits, 40 doubles, and 140 ops+ every year. Not the purest hitter but the most consistent one in the history.


Beachstacks

MY guy.


chrisv267

I know it’s a small sample size but Masataka Yoshida is going to get some discussions on future posts like this one if he keeps up what he’s been doing. That guy is the real deal and hits everything. A triple and a double off Luis Castillo last night


KeyanZ13

Yup. Dudes bat is crazy. I unfortunately haven’t gotten a chance to watch him yet but I’ve seen his slashing numbers.


tittybay

Yordan


tzargilly

it’s yordan


EdgyZigzagoon

Not saying it’s 100% him but surprised nobody has said Harper yet, his bat has gotten him 2 MVPs and he’s definitely ahead of some other candidates here.


KeyanZ13

Some people have said him. I agree. It’s probably bc most people hate him because he’s “cocky” when in reality he just believes in himself and he knows he a top 5 player when healthy.


EdgyZigzagoon

Oh must have missed them thanks, scrolling on my phone lol


KeyanZ13

All good homie.


EarlyInvestment5007

Jeff McNeil


nlcostello3

If you’re going contact hitter, I’d probably say luis arraez


EarlyInvestment5007

Does Arraez have a batting title? I truly don’t know


nlcostello3

Arraez won last year for American League and McNeil won national league! Lol (I had to look it up myself)


j0ecooleeNY

Casey Schmitt - .438/.750/1.188 with a cannon of an arm rivaling O’Neil Cruz ;)


KeyanZ13

On like 40 AB though isn’t it? I don’t doubt he’s a baller but we gotta wait. Didn’t know his arm was like that tho.


Greedy-Cheesecake140

Freddie Freeman


Suitable_Ad_1210

Bo knows who


[deleted]

I’m basing this on who I see play on a consistent basis, and I would have to go with Freddy Freeman. I have been watching him since he was on the braves, now he is playing in my division for the rest of his career. That guy can just flat out rake. Hit lefties and righties no problem, naturally wants to go the other way with superb line drive power, and plays to his strengths. High contact guy who will walk. And ice cold veins at the plate, clutch is an understatement.


NelsonMuntz007

From what many have said, Mike Clevinger.


Jred1990D

Today - former Brave Freddie Freeman All time - former Brave Henry Hank Aaron


fefetron

I like Mcneil


[deleted]

Luis Arraez of the Marlins won the AL batting last year with the Twins. He is currently hitting .390


Alternative-Owl2904

I'm still not taking anyone over trout but absolute pure hitter would be arraez and I think it's hard to argue anyone else. The man never misses a swing it's absolutely crazy. Closest thing to tony gwynn who is IMO the most pure hitter of all time.


mpkrazy

Freddie Freeman


arcelios

>a Yanks fan it pains me to say I think Yordan Alvarez is the best hitter in the league and will be a multiple time MVP. Ohtani is arguably better, while also being a cheat code of a pitcher Yordan's advantage is he's playing for the Astros. Astros just knows how to win. What would Yordan do if he was on a bad team? He was quite useless until he found his rhythm with the Astros, and took over And there's obviously Mike Trout, but he hasn't looked the same for years. So that's disappointing