Ranker BaseballList RulesWhether they knocked record home runs or led in OPS, who are best hitting pitchers in MLB history?
Going down as one of the greatest hitting pitchers in baseball history is a difficult feat, especially when you consider a majority of these star pitchers are only batting every 5 games—at most. Now known as "pitchers who rake", these aces aren't just winning games for their teams with strikeouts and dominant pitching in general; they're stepping up to the plate, getting on base, and scoring runs. Of all the MLB's top hitting pitchers, both old and new, who do you think is the best of all time?
Now, there have been some great hitting pitchers since the early days of professional baseball, but it wasn't until 1980 when the Silver Slugger started being awarded and they really started to get recognized for such an uncommon skill. From early winners like Bob Forsch and Rick Rhoden to modern-day baseball's Madison Bumgarner and Carlos Zambrano, these are certainly pitchers who rake. Of course, we can't forget some of the earliest sluggers of the mound, such as Sloppy Thurston, Jack Scott, and Don Larsen, among many others. Another thing to consider here is these aren't just your average pitchers who can swing the bat—many of them are even the MLB's greatest pitchers.
Take a look at the list of greatest hitting pitchers below and vote up your choices for the best of all time—whether you think that comes down to batting average, home runs, or OPS. Feel free to add others to the list as well.
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joat addedBoston Red Sox, Boston BravesPosition: Right fielder, Outfielder, Left fielder, Pitcher
Nationality: United States of America
Birthplace: Pigtown, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
Career batting stats: .342 avg., 714 HRs, 2,214 RBIs
George Herman "Babe" Ruth Jr. (February 6, 1895 – August 16, 1948) was an American professional baseball player whose career in Major League Baseball (MLB) spanned 22 seasons, from 1914 through 1935. ...more2
Los Angeles Angels of AnaheimPosition: Pitcher, Designated hitter
Nationality: Japan
Birthplace: Mizusawa, Iwate
Bats: Left-handed
Career batting stats: .292 avg., 36 HRs, 101 RBIs
Shohei Ohtani (born July 5, 1994) is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher and designated hitter for the Los Angeles Angels of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played for the Hokkaido ...more3
joat addedBoston Red Sox, Boston BravesPosition: Pitcher
Nationality: United States of America
Birthplace: Greensboro, North Carolina
Career batting stats: .280 avg., 38 HRs, 208 RBIs
Wesley Cheek "Wes" Ferrell (February 2, 1908 – December 9, 1976) was an American professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball from 1927 through 1941. Primarily a starting pitcher, ...more4
Houston colt .45s, Kansas City AthleticsPosition: Pitcher
Birthplace: Michigan City, Indiana, United States of America
Career batting stats: .242 avg., 14 HRs, 72 RBIs
Don James Larsen (August 7, 1929 - January 1, 2020) was an American retired Major League Baseball (MLB) pitcher. During a 15-year MLB career, he pitched from 1953 to 1967 for seven different teams. ...more5
Chicago CubsPosition: Starting pitcher, Pitcher
Birthplace: Puerto Cabello, Venezuela
Bats: Ambidexterity
Career batting stats: .238 avg., 24 HRs, 71 RBIs
Carlos Alberto Zambrano Matos (born June 1, 1981), nicknamed "Big Z" or "El Toro", is a Venezuelan professional baseball pitcher for the Chicago Dogs of the American Association of Independent ...more6
Milwaukee Brewers, Philadelphia PhilliesPosition: Pitcher
Birthplace: New York City, New York
Career batting stats: .262 avg., 10 HRs, 44 RBIs
Kenneth Alven Brett (September 18, 1948 – November 18, 2003) was an American Major League Baseball pitcher and the second of four Brett brothers who played professional baseball, the most notable ...more7
Atlanta Braves, Colorado RockiesPosition: Starting pitcher, Pitcher
Birthplace: Brooksville, Florida, United States of America
Bats: Right-handed
Career batting stats: .246 avg., 16 HRs, 79 RBIs
Michael William Hampton (born September 9, 1972) is an American former professional baseball player. Hampton played in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a pitcher from 1993 through 2010. He pitched for ...more8
Arizona DiamondbacksPosition: Pitcher
Nationality: United States of America
Birthplace: Hickory, North Carolina
Bats: Right-handed
Career batting stats: .179 avg., 18 HRs, 61 RBIs
Madison Kyle Bumgarner (born August 1, 1989), commonly known by his nickname, "MadBum", is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Arizona Diamondbacks of Major League Baseball (MLB). ...more9
Los Angeles Dodgers, Brooklyn DodgersPosition: Pitcher
Nationality: United States of America
Birthplace: Van Nuys, Los Angeles, California, USA
Career batting stats: .186 avg., 29 HRs, 113 RBIs
Donald Scott Drysdale (July 23, 1936 – July 3, 1993) was an American professional baseball player and television sports commentator. A right-handed pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers for his entire ...more10
Houston AstrosPosition: Pitcher
Nationality: United States of America
Birthplace: Orlando, Florida
Bats: Right-handed
Career batting stats: .222 avg., 9 HRs, 32 RBIs
Donald Zackary Greinke (born October 21, 1983) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Houston Astros of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played for the Kansas City Royals, ...more11
Detroit Tigers, Miami MarlinsPosition: Pitcher
Nationality: United States of America
Birthplace: Oakland, California
Bats: Left-handed
Career batting stats: .244 avg., 9 HRs, 39 RBIs
Dontrelle Wayne Willis (born January 12, 1982), nicknamed "The D-Train", is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Florida Marlins, Detroit ...more12
Career batting stats: .253 avg., 6 HRs, 20 RBIs
Michael Clifton Lorenzen is an American professional baseball pitcher in the Cincinnati Reds organizaion. As a college baseball player, Lorenzen played outfield and pitched for the Cal State ...more13
Chicago White Sox, St. Louis BrownsPosition: Pitcher
Birthplace: Fremont, Nebraska
Career batting stats: .270 avg., 5 HRs, 79 RBIs
Hollis John Thurston (June 2, 1899 – September 14, 1973) was an American Major League Baseball pitcher with the St. Louis Browns, Chicago White Sox, Washington Senators, and Brooklyn Robins between ...more14
Arizona Diamondbacks, Cincinnati RedsPosition: Starting pitcher, Pitcher
Nationality: United States of America
Birthplace: Gainesville, Georgia
Bats: Right-handed
Career batting stats: .283 avg., 9 HRs, 35 RBIs
Micah Burton Owings (born September 28, 1982) is an American former professional baseball player. During his career, Owings was used as a pitcher and an occasional pinch-hitter; he has also played ...more15
St. Louis CardinalsPosition: Pitcher
Nationality: United States of America
Birthplace: Brunswick, Georgia
Bats: Right-handed
Career batting stats: .200 avg., 10 HRs, 70 RBIs
Adam Parrish Wainwright (born August 30, 1981) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball (MLB). The Atlanta Braves selected him 29th overall in ...more16
Los Angeles Dodgers, Pittsburgh PiratesPosition: Pitcher
Birthplace: Boynton Beach, Florida
Career batting stats: .238 avg., 9 HRs, 75 RBIs
Richard Alan Rhoden (born May 16, 1953) is a professional golfer and was a Major League Baseball (MLB) pitcher. During his 16-year baseball career, he played for National League teams the Los Angeles ...more17
Philadelphia Phillies, San Francisco GiantsPosition: Pitcher
Birthplace: Ashland, Kentucky, USA
Career batting stats: .231 avg., 13 HRs, 69 RBIs
Don Allen "Donnie" Robinson (born June 8, 1957), is a former Major League Baseball pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates, San Francisco Giants, California Angels, and Philadelphia Phillies from 1978 ...more18
New York Giants, Boston Red SoxPosition: Pitcher
Birthplace: Liberty, Kentucky
Career batting stats: .268 avg., 5 HRs, 111 RBIs
Carl William Mays (November 12, 1891 – April 4, 1971) was a right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball from 1915 to 1929. Although he won over 200 games, 27 in 1921 alone, and was a member of four ...more19
St. Louis Cardinals, Houston AstrosPosition: Pitcher
Birthplace: Sacramento, California
Career batting stats: .213 avg., 12 HRs, 84 RBIs
Robert Herbert Forsch (January 13, 1950 – November 3, 2011) was an American right-handed starting pitcher who spent most of his sixteen years in Major League Baseball (MLB) with the St. Louis ...more20
Philadelphia Phillies, New York GiantsPosition: Pitcher
Career batting stats: .275 avg., 5 HRs, 73 RBIs
John William Scott (April 18, 1892 – November 30, 1959) was an American professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1916 to 1929 for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Boston ...more21
Chicago Cubs, Chicago WhalesPosition: Pitcher
Birthplace: Olathe, Kansas
Career batting stats: .241 avg., 14 HRs, 97 RBIs
Claude Raymond Hendrix (April 13, 1889 – March 22, 1944) born in Olathe, Kansas, USA, is a former professional baseball player who played pitcher in Major League Baseball for the Pittsburgh Pirates ...more22
Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago CubsPosition: Pitcher
Birthplace: St. Ignace, Michigan
Career batting stats: .272 avg., 0 HRs, 34 RBIs
Lester Leo Sweetland (August 15, 1901 – March 4, 1974) was a professional baseball pitcher in the Major Leagues from 1927 to 1931. He played for the Philadelphia Phillies and Chicago Cubs. ...more23
Milwaukee BrewersPosition: Pitcher
Birthplace: Penjamillo, Mexico
Bats: Right-handed
Career batting stats: .201 avg., 12 HRs, 42 RBIs
Yovani Gallardo (pronounced gah-YAR-doh) (born February 27, 1986) is a Mexican professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He was selected by the Milwaukee Brewers in the second round of the ...more24
Atlanta Braves, New York MetsPosition: Starting pitcher, Pitcher
Nationality: United States of America
Birthplace: Concord, Massachusetts, United States of America
Bats: Left-handed
Career batting stats: .186 avg., 1 HR, 90 RBIs
Thomas Michael Glavine (born March 25, 1966) is an American retired professional baseball player. A pitcher, Glavine played in Major League Baseball for the Atlanta Braves (1987–2002, 2008), and New ...more25
New York MetsPosition: Pitcher
Birthplace: Mansfield, Texas
Bats: Right
Career batting stats: .159 avg., 6 HRs, 15 RBIs
Noah Seth Syndergaard (born August 29, 1992), nicknamed Thor, is an American professional baseball pitcher for the New York Mets of Major League Baseball (MLB). The Toronto Blue Jays selected him in ...more
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