Andre the Batting Giant
- Tuesday, June 8, 2010 10:48 AM
- Written By: Dodgers Diaries
Andre Ethier is hitting .350. Martin Prado is hitting .325. So why is Prado listed as the NL batting leader? Because Ethier lacks the necessary number of plate appearances to qualify for the batting title. It’s the same rule that prevents pitchers with one hit in two plate appearances from winning the title with a .500 average.
Baseball requires a minimum of 3.1 plate appearances per game to qualify. The Dodgers have played 58 games, so Ethier would need 180 appearances. He has 177, because he spent 15 days on the disabled list with his broken pinky. If he comes to the plate 6 times Tuesday night, he’ll take over as the NL batting leader. Yes, even if he goes 0-for-6. That would drop him to .337. Prado would have to go 5-for-5 to catch him.
-- JOHN ROSENTHAL
