Batting averages are very misleading. Let’s compare a 300 hitter to a 250 hitter. Surprise!

At this point in the season, in late July, most full-time players have about 400 at-bats, not including walks. Typically, by the end of the season, a typical major league player will have about 600 abs.

Let’s compare a player’s number of hits to see how much of a difference there is between hitters of different averages. You may be surprised at the results.

400 AB .300 average 120 hits 600 AB .300 average 180 hits

.250 average of 100 hits .250 average of 150 hits

.200 average of 80 hits .200 average of 120 hits

Since the baseball season is approximately 6 months long, that would equal 26 weeks. The difference between a .300 hitter and a .250 hitter is only 30 hits over the course of the season, which is only a little over 1 hit per week difference. With players playing 6 or 7 games per week, getting an average of 3+ at-bats per game (minus walks), we’re talking roughly 20-25 sit-ups per week. The one hit per week difference isn’t really that big. If you compare this time of year (end of July), the difference is even smaller. If I were to take this to the next level…let’s say a .350 hitter, someone who would be considered the best of the best, is only talking about 2 more hits per week when comparing a .350 hitter vs. a .350 hitter . 250 Hitter So, next time you hear someone belittling a .250 hitter, think again.