Three-year splits, top hitters against RHP, LHP

By Ryan Fowler
Updated Mar. 4, 2020 3:42 p.m. ET

All stats through 4/28/2015

No matter if you're competing in a season-long fantasy baseball league or fight for the top spot on daily fantasy sites like DraftKings or Fan Duel, every owner should know which sluggers dominate left-handed and right-handed starting pitchers.

Below are two charts, one showcasing the top 50 hitters against righties and the top 50 hitters against lefties – sorted by batting average – with stats collected 2012-2015.  The three-year split provides for a strong sample size and removes those outliers who may overachieve season-to-season.  Also, pay special attention to the final column – Line Drive Rate – a great indicator just how dominate a hitter is against that type of pitcher.

Although most hitters ranked 1-25 in both lists are probably owned, owners should keep tabs on those ranked 26-50 for potential waiver wire and bench depth, spot-start value. For example, Chris Johnson, who is owned in 2-percent of leagues on FOXSports.com is widely available and perhaps you have an open roster spot or want some depth at the hot corner.  Why not pick him up and toss him out there when he squares off against a lefty?  Plus, it's nearly a lock when Johnson faces a lefty that based on his DFS price tag, the juice is worth the squeeze for a .338 batting average.

2012-2015: Top 50 Hitters vs. RHP  

# Name Team PA AVG OBP SLG OPS BABIP K% LD%
1 Devon Travis Blue Jays 64 0.345 0.406 0.569 0.975 0.395 18.80% 21.70%
2 Robinson Cano Mariners 1320 0.337 0.405 0.578 0.983 0.344 10.70% 24.30%
3 Miguel Cabrera Tigers 1566 0.333 0.395 0.593 0.987 0.345 15.10% 22.90%
4 Mike Trout Angels 1585 0.321 0.404 0.578 0.982 0.379 22.30% 21.60%
5 Adrian Beltre Rangers 1515 0.317 0.363 0.520 0.883 0.321 11.20% 21.10%
6 Melky Cabrera White Sox 1130 0.313 0.358 0.439 0.797 0.346 12.20% 22.50%
7 Joe Mauer Twins 1168 0.312 0.401 0.453 0.854 0.362 15.20% 27.10%
8 Victor Martinez Tigers 959 0.311 0.384 0.468 0.852 0.309 7.40% 21.50%
9 Michael Brantley Indians 1303 0.311 0.363 0.463 0.826 0.318 7.40% 25.30%
10 Jose Abreu White Sox 518 0.309 0.369 0.571 0.940 0.343 20.70% 22.50%
11 Matt Carpenter Cardinals 1286 0.307 0.397 0.452 0.848 0.352 14.30% 26.20%
12 Justin Morneau Rockies 1289 0.305 0.370 0.507 0.877 0.319 13.20% 21.90%
13 Andrew McCutchen Pirates 1673 0.305 0.390 0.506 0.896 0.350 18.60% 22.20%
14 Freddie Freeman Braves 1352 0.305 0.389 0.514 0.903 0.347 18.50% 27.80%
15 Yasiel Puig Dodgers 841 0.305 0.381 0.509 0.890 0.370 21.50% 16.80%
16 Yadier Molina Cardinals 1253 0.303 0.349 0.437 0.786 0.319 10.50% 23.00%
17 Adrian Gonzalez Dodgers 1434 0.301 0.356 0.505 0.860 0.316 14.70% 23.70%
18 Pablo Sandoval Red Sox 1220 0.300 0.358 0.464 0.822 0.319 12.90% 21.40%
19 Denard Span Nationals 1388 0.298 0.347 0.427 0.774 0.325 9.90% 23.60%
20 Buster Posey Giants 1340 0.295 0.369 0.446 0.815 0.318 13.70% 20.70%
21 Jose Reyes Blue Jays 1352 0.294 0.344 0.423 0.767 0.315 10.40% 22.30%
22 Torii Hunter Twins 1364 0.293 0.328 0.448 0.776 0.341 19.20% 20.30%
23 Jon Jay Cardinals 1280 0.293 0.366 0.383 0.749 0.342 15.00% 26.10%
24 Andre Ethier Dodgers 1146 0.293 0.377 0.471 0.848 0.334 16.50% 24.50%
25 Shin-Soo Choo Rangers 1348 0.293 0.401 0.484 0.885 0.350 20.30% 21.70%
26 Daniel Murphy Mets 1435 0.290 0.334 0.431 0.765 0.313 11.20% 23.70%
27 James Loney Rays 1282 0.290 0.341 0.410 0.750 0.307 10.30% 27.40%
28 Jose Altuve Astros 1559 0.290 0.329 0.377 0.707 0.315 10.20% 21.20%
29 Howie Kendrick Dodgers 1371 0.287 0.330 0.399 0.729 0.338 17.60% 22.50%
30 Billy Butler Athletics 1507 0.287 0.347 0.414 0.761 0.324 15.80% 21.40%
31 Matt Holliday Cardinals 1527 0.286 0.369 0.457 0.826 0.312 15.30% 18.20%
32 Ben Revere Phillies 1135 0.285 0.320 0.336 0.656 0.314 9.10% 22.10%
33 Adam Jones Orioles 1575 0.285 0.317 0.493 0.809 0.309 18.50% 19.70%
34 Jason Heyward Cardinals 1258 0.284 0.363 0.467 0.830 0.315 16.40% 19.30%
35 Paul Goldschmidt Diamondbacks 1373 0.283 0.373 0.496 0.869 0.346 23.70% 21.30%
36 Dustin Pedroia Red Sox 1457 0.283 0.341 0.395 0.736 0.303 10.90% 20.60%
37 Jonathan Lucroy Brewers 1244 0.282 0.346 0.442 0.789 0.299 11.80% 21.30%
38 Jayson Werth Nationals 1188 0.282 0.370 0.443 0.812 0.330 18.90% 22.20%
39 Alex Rios Royals 1391 0.281 0.316 0.428 0.743 0.319 16.60% 21.40%
40 Gerardo Parra Brewers 1311 0.280 0.328 0.426 0.754 0.322 16.00% 23.10%
41 Alex Gordon Royals 1419 0.280 0.357 0.439 0.797 0.330 18.90% 22.30%
42 Nick Markakis Braves 1349 0.280 0.349 0.408 0.758 0.291 9.80% 22.40%
43 Aaron Hill Diamondbacks 1174 0.279 0.329 0.445 0.773 0.305 14.80% 23.10%
44 Anthony Rizzo Cubs 1247 0.279 0.367 0.494 0.861 0.306 17.70% 23.00%
45 Aramis Ramirez Brewers 1224 0.279 0.340 0.436 0.776 0.301 13.80% 19.30%
46 Omar Infante Royals 1203 0.279 0.310 0.375 0.685 0.304 11.10% 22.00%
47 David Wright Mets 1278 0.277 0.341 0.428 0.769 0.328 19.60% 22.70%
48 Ryan Braun Brewers 1168 0.277 0.348 0.470 0.819 0.322 20.90% 17.70%
49 Martin Prado Marlins 1462 0.276 0.320 0.393 0.713 0.298 11.70% 21.60%
50 Albert Pujols Angels 1434 0.276 0.338 0.475 0.813 0.275 11.80% 18.90%

2012-2015: Top 50 Hitters vs. LHP

# Name Team PA AVG OBP SLG OPS BABIP K% LD%
1 Jose Altuve Astros 546 0.358 0.397 0.499 0.896 0.392 11.00% 22.50%
2 Buster Posey Giants 556 0.349 0.403 0.600 1.002 0.354 10.80% 27.30%
3 David Wright Mets 505 0.341 0.438 0.534 0.972 0.363 11.50% 23.70%
4 Chris Johnson Braves 433 0.338 0.380 0.479 0.858 0.423 22.90% 31.30%
5 Jose Abreu White Sox 177 0.338 0.418 0.636 1.054 0.380 20.30% 24.40%
6 Paul Goldschmidt Diamondbacks 490 0.337 0.428 0.629 1.057 0.359 16.10% 26.30%
7 Ryan Braun Brewers 412 0.332 0.386 0.635 1.021 0.345 16.70% 20.10%
8 Ben Revere Phillies 459 0.327 0.346 0.386 0.732 0.361 10.00% 18.80%
9 Miguel Cabrera Tigers 558 0.323 0.427 0.563 0.990 0.350 15.40% 24.00%
10 Martin Prado Marlins 550 0.322 0.384 0.495 0.879 0.332 8.00% 25.50%
11 Rajai Davis Tigers 470 0.321 0.372 0.494 0.867 0.378 17.90% 26.60%
12 Dexter Fowler Cubs 452 0.318 0.407 0.450 0.856 0.383 17.00% 24.50%
13 Victor Martinez Tigers 420 0.318 0.371 0.518 0.890 0.320 9.80% 22.30%
14 Nori Aoki Giants 568 0.317 0.372 0.398 0.770 0.340 7.40% 16.30%
15 Shane Victorino Red Sox 430 0.314 0.374 0.487 0.861 0.342 13.50% 20.30%
16 Matt Holliday Cardinals 506 0.313 0.429 0.535 0.963 0.369 19.60% 22.10%
17 Nelson Cruz Mariners 456 0.311 0.397 0.572 0.969 0.333 16.40% 17.30%
18 Alex Rios Royals 461 0.310 0.350 0.527 0.877 0.334 14.30% 25.10%
19 Billy Butler Athletics 531 0.309 0.392 0.510 0.902 0.332 15.40% 23.50%
20 Adrian Beltre Rangers 529 0.308 0.380 0.494 0.874 0.326 13.60% 21.80%
21 Howie Kendrick Dodgers 491 0.308 0.357 0.462 0.819 0.361 17.30% 22.00%
22 David Freese Angels 405 0.307 0.380 0.503 0.883 0.354 18.80% 22.50%
23 Ian Kinsler Tigers 563 0.307 0.367 0.464 0.831 0.321 9.20% 24.80%
24 Derek Norris Padres 456 0.307 0.384 0.505 0.889 0.358 19.10% 19.80%
25 Torii Hunter Twins 532 0.306 0.354 0.452 0.806 0.341 16.20% 21.80%
26 Dustin Pedroia Red Sox 594 0.306 0.383 0.470 0.854 0.331 10.80% 23.90%
27 Anthony Rendon Nationals 291 0.305 0.361 0.466 0.826 0.335 14.10% 27.20%
28 Ichiro Suzuki Marlins 489 0.305 0.324 0.387 0.710 0.323 8.80% 21.50%
29 Evan Longoria Rays 479 0.303 0.392 0.540 0.933 0.339 18.80% 22.20%
30 Nolan Arenado Rockies 288 0.302 0.362 0.535 0.897 0.299 9.70% 24.90%
31 Danny Santana Twins 156 0.301 0.338 0.438 0.776 0.442 31.40% 31.30%
32 Yasiel Puig Dodgers 281 0.301 0.400 0.473 0.873 0.342 16.70% 19.00%
33 Paulo Orlando Royals 23 0.300 0.391 0.550 0.941 0.353 13.00% 25.00%
34 Adam Jones Orioles 573 0.300 0.351 0.509 0.859 0.338 19.50% 20.70%
35 Joaquin Arias Giants 410 0.298 0.321 0.393 0.714 0.321 9.80% 22.10%
36 Josh Donaldson Blue Jays 486 0.297 0.381 0.587 0.968 0.292 13.60% 18.60%
37 Melky Cabrera White Sox 438 0.297 0.346 0.464 0.810 0.305 10.50% 18.50%
38 Hanley Ramirez Red Sox 429 0.296 0.382 0.555 0.937 0.319 17.50% 25.20%
39 Ben Zobrist Athletics 612 0.294 0.361 0.421 0.783 0.330 13.40% 21.10%
40 Joe Mauer Twins 586 0.294 0.379 0.380 0.758 0.360 18.40% 26.20%
41 Ender Inciarte Diamondbacks 165 0.291 0.344 0.331 0.675 0.321 8.50% 21.40%
42 Salvador Perez Royals 412 0.291 0.328 0.475 0.803 0.289 9.20% 20.20%
43 Erick Aybar Angels 513 0.287 0.312 0.414 0.726 0.307 9.40% 18.70%
44 Yangervis Solarte Padres 195 0.286 0.337 0.411 0.748 0.311 12.30% 19.50%
45 Nick Markakis Braves 616 0.285 0.341 0.367 0.708 0.326 14.30% 23.40%
46 Elvis Andrus Rangers 606 0.285 0.348 0.373 0.721 0.314 10.40% 23.10%
47 Craig Gentry Athletics 429 0.285 0.372 0.371 0.743 0.333 13.80% 22.20%
48 Drew Stubbs Rockies 475 0.284 0.352 0.443 0.796 0.387 29.50% 20.50%
49 Chris Denorfia Cubs 579 0.284 0.347 0.432 0.779 0.313 13.80% 18.50%
50 Brian Dozier Twins 468 0.283 0.348 0.501 0.850 0.312 17.10% 20.90%