Slugging and fielding by the numbers

Sunday, April 01, 2007

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Adam LaRoche might not immediately come to mind when talking about the game's top first basemen, but a few more seasons like the one he had in 2006 and he will:

Sluggers club
LaRoche was in some elite company by ranking 12th among all major-leaguers in slugging percentage in 2006:

Player, Team	HR	Pct.
1. Albert Pujols, Cardinals	49	671
2. Ryan Howard, Phillies	58	659
3. Travis Hafner, Indians	42	659
4. David Ortiz, Red Sox	54	636
5. Jermaine Dye, White Sox	44	622
6. Lance Berkman, Astros	45	621
7. Manny Ramirez, Red Sox	35	619
8. Jim Thome, White Sox	42	598
9. Carlos Beltran, Mets	41	594
10. Matt Holliday, Rockies	34	.586
11. Miguel Cabrera, Marlins	26	568
12. Adam LaRoche, Braves	32	561
13. Alfonso Soriano, Nationals	38	561
14. Aramis Ramirez, Cubs	46	560
15. Justin Morneau, Twins	34	559
16. Jason Giambi, Yankees	37	558
17. Garrett Atkins, Rockies	29	556
18. Bill Hall, Brewers	35	553

Gold Glove?

LaRoche ranked fifth in fielding percentage among National League first basemen in 2006:

Player, Team	GP	E	Pct.
1. Todd Helton, Rockies	145	4	997
2. Nomar Garciaparra, Dodgers	118	4	996
3. Scott Hatteberg, Reds	131	4	996
4. Albert Pujols, Cardinals	143	6	996
5. Adam LaRoche, Braves	142	5	996
6. Adtian Gonzalez, Padres	155	7	995
7. Lance Berkman, Astros	112	6	994
8. Carlos Delgado, Mets	141	8	994
9. Mike Jacobs, Marlins	124	7	993