Clearing the Table

Luis Castillo is enjoying a breakout season. The Marlins’ second baseman, still only 24, was hitting .370 with 51 walks in 77 games for a stellar .461 on-base percentage. That’s fourth in the majors and the highest OBP by a leadoff hitter. In fact, no second baseman has had a higher OBP in a full season since Joe Morgan in 1975.

But while Castillo nearly without peer in getting on base, he is among baseball’s worst at clearing the bases. Through 77 games, he has only six runs batted in. Castillo is on pace to come to the plate 648 times this season and drive in only 12 runs.

The fewest RBIs in a single season (mininum 400 plate appearances):

11 Charlie Jamieson, Philadelphia A’s, 1918--473 plate appearances, .202 batting average, .297 OBP, .238 slugging average.

12 Enzo Hernandez, San Diego Padres, 1971--628 PA, .222 BA, .295 OBP, .250 SLG.

12 Goat Anderson, Pittsburgh Pirates, 1907--510 PA, .206 BA, .343 OBP, .225 SLG.

13 Bud Harrelson, New York Mets, 1974--412 PA, .227 BA, .366 OBP, .266 SLG.

13 Billy Werber, New York Giants, 1942--429 PA, .205 BA, .308 OBP, .249 SLG.

13 Ivan DeJesus, Chicago Cubs, 1981--460 PA, .194 BA, .276 OBP, .233 SLG.

Source: htttp://www.baseballprospectus.com

Reporter Bob Rohwer