What happened to all the high BA guys?

When I was growing up there was a slew of guys who contended for the batting title every year (Boggs, Gwynn, Brett, Mattingly, Molitor, Yount). Moving into the late 90's early 00's there were guys like Ichiro, Jeter, Nomar, Sweeney, Walker, Edgar etc. now, the only guys consistently in the race are guys who are just amazing all around hitters (Cabrera, Trout)

Why don't we see any guys consistently hit over .300 anymore?

When I was growing up there was a slew of guys who contended for the batting title every year (Boggs, Gwynn, Brett, Mattingly, Molitor, Yount). Moving into the late 90's early 00's there were guys like Ichiro, Jeter, Nomar, Sweeney, Walker, Edgar etc. now, the only guys consistently in the race are guys who are just amazing all around hitters (Cabrera, Trout)

Why don't we see any guys consistently hit over .300 anymore?

Strikeouts.

It's a combination of pitchers gaining the upper hand and their being an advantage for hitters to be hitting for power instead of average.

Strikeouts.

It's a combination of pitchers gaining the upper hand and their being an advantage for hitters to be hitting for power instead of average.

I guess so. I was thinking the increased focus on BB was a big factor too. It seems guys might start becoming more willing to sacrifice power now that HR are increasingly becoming less common.

I thought Nick was going to consistently start to contend when his power got zapped, but he's just not a good enough hitter to do it.

You think this is something that will swing back around?

I guess so. I was thinking the increased focus on BB was a big factor too. It seems guys might start becoming more willing to sacrifice power now that HR are increasingly becoming less common.

I thought Nick was going to consistently start to contend when his power got zapped, but he's just not a good enough hitter to do it.

You think this is something that will swing back around?

I think that eventually MLB will get involved if offense keeps declining.

I guess so. I was thinking the increased focus on BB was a big factor too. It seems guys might start becoming more willing to sacrifice power now that HR are increasingly becoming less common.

I thought Nick was going to consistently start to contend when his power got zapped, but he's just not a good enough hitter to do it.

You think this is something that will swing back around?

A lot of guys love to try to walk.

Maybe guys need to stop looking at strikeouts as so acceptable. Make more contact, BA go up. How much power is sacrificed?

Maybe guys need to stop looking at strikeouts as so acceptable. Make more contact, BA go up. How much power is sacrificed?

Ichiro says hi!

Ichiro says hi!

How much power did he have to begin with.

Ichiro says hi!

Look at the OP.

When I was growing up there was a slew of guys who contended for the batting title every year (Boggs, Gwynn, Brett, Mattingly, Molitor, Yount). Moving into the late 90's early 00's there were guys like Ichiro, Jeter, Nomar, Sweeney, Walker, Edgar etc. now, the only guys consistently in the race are guys who are just amazing all around hitters (Cabrera, Trout)

We're talking about the next generation. I'm confident we'll see a few new guys emerge. We're already seeing the return of speed specialists (Billy Hamilton, Dee Gordon, etc.)

How much power did he have to begin with.

Word was he had plenty of power. He supposedly put on a show in ST if he felt like it.

Look at the OP.

We're talking about the next generation. I'm confident we'll see a few new guys emerge. We're already seeing the return of speed specialists (Billy Hamilton, Dee Gordon, etc.)

Ichiro is still an active player.

Word was he had plenty of power. He supposedly put on a show in ST if he felt like it.

Yeah, I've heard those stories. Just not sure how credible all that is. Would he have been a better player as a .280 25-30 HR guy? My guess is no.

Yeah, I've heard those stories. Just not sure how credible all that is. Would he have been a better player as a .280 25-30 HR guy? My guess is no.

Of course if he is hitting for power then he also isn't swinging at junk pitches he could dump in for an infield single and his walk rate would go up. His OBP (360) wouldn't take the beating his BA (318) would have.

Of course if he is hitting for power then he also isn't swinging at junk pitches he could dump in for an infield single and his walk rate would go up. His OBP (360) wouldn't take the beating his BA (318) would have.

That's true. However, his speed makes being a slap hitter more palatable. More opportunities to beat out IF singles. Also, how many HR does he hit in Safeco?

That's true. However, his speed makes being a slap hitter more palatable. More opportunities to beat out IF singles. Also, how many HR does he hit in Safeco?

You think they build Safeco like that if he wasn't a slap hitter?

Hitting the ball hard is just part of the game now. I don't see it changing in the near future.

One swing, one run.