FanPost

Is There Some Higher Force At Work Here?

Something mysterious happens to hitters’ power when they come to Pittsburgh.

2009

Lastings Milledge arrives, having hit 25 HRs in 997 ABs with the Mets and Nats. That’s one every 39.9 ABs. With the Pirates, he hits 8 in 599 ABs. That’s one every 74.9.

The Pirates bring in Eric Hinske to add a veteran whining presence. Hinske had hit 105 HRs in 2906 ABs with the Jays, Red Sox and Rays. That’s one every 27.7 ABs. With the Pirates he hit one in 106 ABs. That’s . . . uh . . . one every 106 ABs. He went on to hit 28 with the Yankees and Braves in 573 ABs, or one every 20.5. His slugging average with the Pirates was .368. His lowest slugging average with any of his five other teams was .406.

2010

The Pirates bring in Ryan Church and Bobby Crosby to make veteran outs off the bench. Church had previously hit 51 HRs in 1675 ABs, or one every 32.8. With the Pirates he hit three in 170 ABs, one every 56.7. He went on to hit two in Arizona in 49 ABs, one every 24.5. With the Pirates he slugged .312. He slugged at least .402 with his other four teams.

Crosby had hit 61 HRs in 2397 ABs with Oakland, one every 39.2. With the Pirates he hit one in 156 ABs. He got only 12 ABs with Arizona and, like Church, is out of baseball.

2011

The Pirates sign Lyle Overbay, on purpose, to play firstbase. Overbay in his career had hit 122 HRs in 3889 ABs, one every 31.9. With the Pirates he hit 8 in 352 ABs, one every 44.

The Pirates also sign Matt Diaz, who had previously hit 43 HRs in 1504 ABs, one every 35, and slugged .456. With the Pirates he has no HRs in 209 ABs and has slugged .330.

At the deadline, the Pirates acquire Ryan Ludwick to add power. Ludwick in his career had hit 115 HRs in 2529 ABs, one every 22 ABs. With the Pirates he has no HRs in 61 ABs.

The Pirates also acquire Derrek Lee at the deadline. Not understanding what he was facing, he hit two HRs in his first Pirate game. He then got hurt and is still out.

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