Batter Reliability

Hate when you’re building a daily MLB squad earlier in the day, and the lineups aren’t available yet? While it’s impossible to fully know who will be starting ahead of game-time, we’ve done the dirty work for you to find out who the most reliable batters in the MLB are! That way, even when starting lineups haven’t been released yet, you know who has the best chance to make an appearance based on Active Game Appearance rate, Pinch Hit Rate, Matchup Notes of who they often sit vs., avg. batting position and more. See the Legend below the table for full details.

â–¾ NOTE: Table is sortable. Just click the header of each column to sort!

Player Team Pos Avg. Bat Pos. Active Game Appearance Rate â–¾ Pinch Hit Rate PA/G Games Inactive Games Matchup Notes
J. Bautista TOR RF 3.0 100.0% 0.00% 4.38 90 18
M. Morse WSH LF 4.4 100.0% 0.00% 4.33 58 50
R. Cano NYY 2B 3.9 100.0% 0.00% 4.32 108 0
P. Fielder DET 1B 4.0 100.0% 0.00% 4.30 109 0
S. Castro CHC SS 2.5 100.0% 0.00% 4.30 107 0
J. Ellsbury BOS CF 1.0 100.0% 0.00% 4.27 30 78
Adam Jones BAL CF 3.9 100.0% 0.00% 4.25 109 0
E. Longoria TB 3B 3.4 100.0% 0.00% 4.22 23 85
A. Rizzo CHC 1B 3.0 100.0% 0.00% 4.18 34 71
M. Bourn ATL CF 1.0 100.0% 0.22% 4.68 109 0
M. Cabrera DET 3B 2.8 100.0% 0.23% 4.43 109 0
M. Kemp LAD CF 3.0 100.0% 0.47% 4.26 58 52
C. Pena TB 1B 3.0 100.0% 0.52% 4.25 108 0
S. Marte PIT LF 1.0 100.0% 2.22% 4.60 11 97
C. Headley SD 3B 3.3 99.1% 0.49% 4.35 110 0
J. Reyes MIA SS 1.2 99.1% 0.00% 4.48 108 0
D. Espinosa WSH 2B 4.4 99.1% 0.74% 4.29 108 0
C. Granderson NYY CF 2.4 99.1% 0.00% 4.47 107 0
A. Gordon KC LF 1.7 99.1% 0.23% 4.59 107 0
B. Butler KC 1B 3.5 99.1% 0.50% 4.27 107 0
A. Dunn CWS 1B 3.0 99.1% 0.53% 4.37 107 0
N. Markakis BAL RF 2.4 98.9% 0.00% 4.57 74 34
B. Harper WSH LF 2.6 98.5% 0.29% 4.44 87 21
A. Pujols LAA 1B 3.0 98.2% 0.00% 4.39 108 0
A. Gonzalez BOS 1B 4.5 98.2% 0.47% 3.93 108 0
H. Pence SF RF 4.0 98.2% 0.24% 4.37 107 0
D. Jeter NYY SS 1.0 98.1% 0.00% 4.59 106 0
I. Suzuki NYY RF 2.8 98.1% 0.00% 4.40 108 0
A. Escobar KC SS 5.9 98.1% 0.00% 4.03 106 0
A. Rios CWS CF 5.2 98.1% 0.25% 4.12 106 0
C. Hart MIL RF 4.2 98.1% 0.49% 4.29 106 0
N. Cruz TEX RF 5.8 98.1% 0.50% 4.17 106 0
C. Lee MIA 1B 4.6 97.5% 0.28% 3.84 94 13
M. Trout LAA CF 1.0 97.4% 0.00% 4.66 87 21
B. Upton TB CF 2.9 97.4% 0.00% 4.34 92 13
J. Hardy BAL SS 2.1 97.2% 0.00% 4.49 106 0
D. Uggla ATL 2B 5.0 97.2% 0.00% 4.20 106 0
M. Brantley CLE CF 4.2 97.2% 0.00% 4.16 106 0
J. Rollins PHI SS 1.4 97.2% 0.23% 4.55 106 0
M. Prado ATL LF 2.0 97.2% 0.24% 4.50 106 0
J. Kipnis CLE 2B 3.0 97.2% 0.24% 4.38 106 0
J. Bruce CIN RF 4.7 97.2% 0.27% 4.18 106 0
M. Holliday STL LF 3.0 97.2% 0.49% 4.47 106 0
J. Heyward ATL RF 4.9 97.2% 0.52% 4.21 106 0
D. Murphy NYM 2B 5.1 97.2% 2.55% 3.83 106 0
J. Peralta DET SS 7.0 97.2% 0.00% 3.97 99 7
R. Tejada NYM SS 1.7 97.2% 0.38% 4.50 64 43
I. Kinsler TEX 2B 1.0 97.2% 0.00% 4.70 105 0
E. Encarnacion TOR DH 4.1 97.2% 0.00% 4.29 105 0
A. Ramirez CWS SS 5.3 97.2% 0.00% 4.17 105 0
C. Rasmus TOR CF 4.6 97.2% 0.25% 4.20 105 0
E. Hosmer KC 1B 4.6 97.2% 0.26% 4.15 105 0
N. Walker PIT 2B 3.5 97.2% 0.26% 4.17 105 0
M. Young TEX 1B 4.8 97.2% 0.47% 4.25 105 0
P. Sandoval SF 3B 4.3 96.9% 0.00% 4.15 62 45
D. Ortiz BOS DH 3.8 96.7% 0.63% 4.30 89 18
L. Cain KC CF 4.4 96.7% 1.96% 3.97 29 78
Y. Alonso SD 1B 5.1 96.4% 1.31% 4.01 107 0
A. Cabrera CLE SS 2.3 96.4% 0.00% 4.43 99 6
D. Jennings TB LF 2.1 96.4% 0.94% 4.22 85 20
S. Victorino LAD LF 3.5 96.4% 0.00% 4.22 106 0
M. Scutaro SF 3B 1.9 96.3% 0.00% 4.44 105 0
J. Reddick OAK RF 3.0 96.3% 0.00% 4.42 105 0
M. Cabrera SF LF 2.8 96.3% 0.23% 4.43 105 0
D. Wright NYM 3B 3.1 96.3% 0.26% 4.40 105 0
J. Willingham MIN LF 4.0 96.3% 0.27% 4.31 105 0
B. Zobrist TB RF 3.4 96.3% 0.00% 4.26 104 0
E. Andrus TEX SS 2.0 96.3% 0.24% 4.52 104 0
A. McCutchen PIT CF 3.0 96.3% 0.26% 4.24 104 0
R. Weeks MIL 2B 4.3 96.3% 0.53% 4.30 104 0
A. Beltre TEX 3B 4.2 96.3% 0.99% 4.22 104 0
D. Barney CHC 2B 5.9 96.3% 0.83% 3.75 103 0
A. Ethier LAD RF 3.8 96.2% 0.28% 4.14 98 8
D. Young DET LF 5.0 95.6% 0.53% 4.12 99 5
H. Ramirez LAD 3B 3.2 95.5% 0.00% 4.31 105 0
J. Votto CIN 1B 3.0 95.4% 0.34% 4.34 86 19
A. Hill ARI 2B 4.1 95.4% 0.75% 4.21 104 0
I. Davis NYM 1B 5.3 95.4% 2.51% 3.86 104 0
G. Beckham CWS 2B 5.8 95.4% 0.00% 4.02 103 0
A. De Aza CWS CF 1.0 95.4% 0.48% 4.51 103 0
S. Choo CLE RF 2.0 94.5% 0.00% 4.48 103 0
Z. Cozart CIN SS 1.6 94.5% 0.48% 4.42 103 0
C. Beltran STL RF 3.9 94.5% 1.84% 4.17 103 0
Y. Escobar TOR SS 3.5 94.4% 0.25% 4.26 102 0
M. Teixeira NYY 1B 4.4 94.4% 0.54% 4.24 102 0
D. Fowler COL CF 3.4 94.4% 2.13% 3.80 101 0
R. Zimmerman WSH 3B 3.0 94.0% 0.27% 4.45 94 9
M. Cuddyer COL RF 5.1 94.0% 0.86% 3.96 98 3
L. Valbuena CHC 3B 7.7 93.9% 0.75% 3.52 43 61 Vs. RHP
D. Ackley SEA 2B 2.5 93.7% 0.00% 4.37 104 0
K. Seager SEA 3B 4.5 93.7% 0.51% 4.17 104 0
B. Bogusevic HOU RF 6.1 93.6% 6.57% 3.17 103 0 Vs. RHP
T. Gwynn LAD CF 5.9 93.6% 7.72% 2.80 103 0
D. Pedroia BOS 2B 2.3 93.6% 0.00% 4.47 92 12
A. Pagan SF CF 3.9 93.6% 0.25% 4.28 102 0
A. LaRoche WSH 1B 4.3 93.6% 0.27% 4.29 102 0
B. Boesch DET LF 4.9 93.6% 1.31% 3.99 102 0
J. Francoeur KC RF 5.3 93.5% 0.00% 4.12 101 0
R. Braun MIL LF 3.0 93.5% 0.26% 4.43 101 0
K. Johnson TOR 2B 3.6 93.5% 0.54% 4.26 101 0
A. Soriano CHC LF 4.3 93.5% 0.00% 4.05 100 0
I. Desmond WSH SS 3.6 93.2% 0.27% 4.39 89 13
C. Santana CLE C 4.5 93.0% 0.31% 4.26 93 9
J. Altuve HOU 2B 2.0 92.7% 0.00% 4.44 102 0
M. Aviles BOS SS 5.5 92.7% 0.00% 4.05 102 0
J. Upton ARI RF 3.4 92.7% 0.00% 4.25 101 0
J. Weeks OAK 2B 1.8 92.7% 0.25% 4.50 101 0
B. Lawrie TOR 3B 3.8 92.6% 0.00% 4.26 100 0
P. Konerko CWS 1B 4.0 92.6% 0.00% 4.22 100 0
J. Hamilton TEX LF 3.1 92.6% 0.26% 4.41 100 0
D. Viciedo CWS RF 6.9 92.6% 1.44% 3.74 100 0
M. Maldonado MIL C 7.5 92.6% 4.76% 3.33 55 49
C. Gonzalez COL LF 3.1 92.5% 0.00% 4.47 99 0
D. DeJesus CHC RF 2.2 92.5% 2.10% 4.00 99 0
Y. Molina STL C 5.8 92.5% 0.84% 4.09 95 6
G. Stanton MIA RF 4.4 92.5% 1.05% 4.17 80 22
L. Morrison MIA LF 5.2 92.2% 4.39% 3.63 93 8
M. Saunders SEA CF 5.9 91.9% 1.37% 3.87 102 0
W. Venable SD RF 3.4 91.9% 5.82% 3.24 102 0 Vs. RHP
M. Ellis LAD 2B 1.9 91.8% 0.43% 4.43 63 41
J. Loney LAD 1B 6.3 91.8% 5.03% 3.26 101 0 Vs. RHP
D. Span MIN CF 1.0 91.7% 0.00% 4.60 100 0
R. Furcal STL SS 1.2 91.7% 0.50% 4.63 100 0
J. Mauer MIN C 3.0 91.7% 0.54% 4.44 100 0
M. Moustakas KC 3B 5.2 91.7% 0.00% 4.18 99 0
A. Ramirez MIL 3B 5.3 91.7% 0.00% 4.17 99 0
N. Aoki MIL LF 2.9 91.7% 6.39% 3.79 99 0
R. Howard PHI 1B 4.0 91.5% 3.70% 4.24 24 83
J. Morneau MIN 1B 4.7 91.5% 0.00% 4.30 86 15
J. Lucroy MIL C 6.5 91.4% 4.27% 3.49 51 52
M. Joyce TB RF 4.6 91.2% 1.93% 3.88 78 22 Often sits vs. LHP
A. Jackson DET CF 1.0 91.1% 0.29% 4.56 87 13
E. Aybar LAA SS 6.2 91.1% 0.91% 3.83 92 9
M. Trumbo LAA RF 4.8 90.9% 0.00% 4.10 100 0
H. Kendrick LAA 2B 5.2 90.9% 0.54% 4.16 100 0
J. Carroll MIN SS 6.8 90.8% 0.00% 3.90 99 0
C. Johnson ARI 3B 6.0 90.8% 0.27% 3.98 99 0
J. Kubel ARI LF 4.1 90.8% 0.82% 4.29 99 0
D. Freese STL 3B 5.4 90.8% 1.10% 4.18 99 0
J. Mayberry PHI LF 6.6 90.8% 7.92% 2.99 99 0
C. Utley PHI 2B 3.0 90.3% 1.82% 4.38 31 75
J. Martinez HOU LF 4.6 90.0% 2.26% 3.99 99 0 Vs. RHP
D. Stubbs CIN CF 2.2 90.0% 0.00% 4.32 90 9
B. Crawford SF SS 7.2 89.9% 0.32% 3.65 98 0
M. Wieters BAL C 4.9 89.9% 0.56% 4.15 98 0
B. Posey SF C 4.0 89.9% 0.56% 4.23 98 0
P. Alvarez PIT 3B 5.5 89.8% 1.21% 3.81 97 0
C. Ruiz PHI C 5.8 89.4% 3.19% 3.76 95 3
C. Maybin SD CF 4.3 89.2% 0.00% 4.01 99 0
B. Phillips CIN 2B 3.6 89.0% 0.27% 4.23 97 0
O. Infante DET 2B 5.0 89.0% 0.81% 3.99 97 0
C. Barmes PIT SS 7.6 88.9% 0.00% 3.39 96 0
M. Reynolds BAL 3B 6.8 88.8% 0.36% 3.87 84 14
J. Pacheco COL 3B 5.9 88.8% 1.08% 3.73 79 18
E. Young COL OF 7.1 88.6% 43.20% 1.72 86 10
C. Pennington OAK SS 6.3 88.4% 0.35% 3.77 82 16
F. Freeman ATL 1B 4.3 88.1% 0.28% 4.29 96 0
P. Goldschmidt ARI 1B 5.2 88.1% 1.79% 3.97 96 0
C. Gomez MIL CF 3.8 88.0% 6.44% 3.24 84 13
Y. Cespedes OAK CF 4.0 87.9% 0.00% 4.08 76 22
A. Gose TOR OF 6.5 87.5% 2.08% 3.77 14
B. Ryan SEA SS 8.3 87.4% 0.70% 3.42 97 0
S. Smith OAK LF 4.8 87.3% 5.40% 3.63 92 4
J. Schafer HOU CF 2.9 87.3% 2.62% 3.83 96 0
S. Perez KC C 6.8 87.3% 0.84% 3.78 33 70
C. Kotchman CLE 1B 7.3 87.2% 0.63% 3.74 95 0
N. Swisher NYY RF 5.4 87.0% 0.30% 4.06 94 0
A. Rodriguez NYY 3B 3.4 87.0% 0.85% 4.36 94 0
D. Murphy TEX LF 5.1 87.0% 3.70% 3.83 94 0
J. Jay STL CF 3.5 86.9% 0.44% 4.02 65 34
J. Rivera LAD LF 4.7 86.6% 4.96% 3.57 75 23 Vs. LHP
S. Cousins MIA CF 7.8 86.4% 17.14% 2.31 39 64
C. Davis BAL 1B 5.7 86.2% 0.29% 4.01 94 0
M. Montero ARI C 5.1 86.2% 0.62% 4.06 94 0
G. Blanco SF LF 2.6 86.2% 3.44% 3.80 94 0
B. Belt SF 1B 6.6 86.2% 3.60% 3.20 94 0
D. Descalso STL 2B 7.0 86.2% 5.81% 2.93 94 0
E. Johnson TB 2B 7.8 86.1% 1.93% 3.26 93 0
G. Jones PIT RF 4.9 86.1% 4.45% 3.38 93 0
C. McGehee NYY 1B 5.5 86.1% 5.24% 3.23 93 0
R. Roberts TB 3B 6.8 86.1% 6.34% 3.42 93 0
B. LaHair CHC RF 5.0 86.0% 3.90% 3.49 92 0
K. Youkilis CWS 3B 3.6 85.6% 0.00% 4.19 77 18
C. Crisp OAK LF 2.2 85.4% 2.12% 4.09 76 17
C. Iannetta LAA C 8.4 85.4% 1.16% 3.22 34 70
M. Moreland TEX 1B 8.5 85.4% 7.18% 3.18 63 34 Vs. RHP
W. Betemit BAL 3B 6.4 85.3% 0.95% 3.82 93 0 Vs. RHP
T. Wigginton PHI 1B 5.9 85.3% 6.44% 3.19 93 0
C. Quentin SD RF 4.0 85.3% 1.07% 4.33 54 48
Y. Grandal SD C 5.1 85.1% 2.60% 3.95 24 83
C. Young ARI CF 5.8 84.8% 1.30% 3.71 67 30
J. Montero SEA C 4.3 84.7% 0.56% 4.13 94 0
S. Drew ARI SS 4.0 84.5% 2.02% 4.07 29 75
R. Davis TOR LF 6.7 84.3% 0.80% 3.09 91 0
M. Napoli TEX C 7.4 84.3% 1.68% 3.90 91 0
K. Nieuwenhuis NYM CF 4.2 84.2% 3.90% 3.47 91 1
M. Carpenter STL 1B 6.8 84.1% 10.98% 2.91 69 27
P. Polanco PHI 3B 4.6 83.5% 1.38% 3.81 82 11
T. Frazier CIN 3B 6.8 83.5% 3.83% 3.49 82 11
G. Parra ARI LF 4.8 83.5% 5.58% 3.47 91 0
S. Hairston NYM RF 5.6 83.5% 9.84% 2.90 91 0 Vs. LHP
R. Ibanez NYY LF 6.4 83.3% 5.36% 3.53 90 0 Vs. RHP
J. Arencibia TOR C 7.6 83.3% 1.42% 3.68 81 11
C. Carter OAK 1B 5.2 83.0% 3.61% 4.00 27 76
T. Hunter LAA CF 3.4 82.9% 0.30% 4.10 89 3
W. Middlebrooks BOS 3B 6.0 82.8% 0.78% 3.91 71 24
A. Callaspo LAA 3B 5.6 82.7% 2.00% 3.80 91 0
R. Doumit MIN C 5.9 82.6% 1.26% 3.96 90 0
A. Pierzynski CWS C 5.8 82.4% 1.91% 3.91 89 0
N. Morgan MIL CF 4.2 82.4% 7.69% 3.20 89 0
J. Keppinger TB 2B 5.2 82.1% 3.86% 3.60 65 29 Vs. LHP
S. Rolen CIN 3B 6.0 81.9% 1.04% 3.57 62 33
K. Morales LAA 1B 4.8 81.8% 3.15% 3.90 90 0
A. Avila DET C 6.9 81.7% 1.17% 3.92 78 13
L. Duda NYM RF 5.0 81.7% 1.30% 3.99 89 0
J. Pierre PHI LF 3.7 81.7% 3.60% 3.44 89 0
S. Lombardozzi WSH 2B 3.5 81.7% 4.78% 3.57 89 0 Vs. RHP
R. Theriot SF 2B 3.3 81.2% 1.67% 4.13 79 12
J. Smoak SEA 1B 5.3 81.1% 0.00% 4.17 90 0
R. Bernadina WSH CF 7.3 80.7% 11.63% 2.34 88 0
T. Pastornicky ATL SS 7.9 80.7% 7.24% 2.96 56 40
R. Martin NYY C 8.4 80.6% 2.65% 3.53 87 0
C. Gentry TEX CF 8.0 80.6% 6.01% 2.40 87 0
A. Simmons ATL SS 7.5 80.5% 0.00% 3.79 33 68
C. Denorfia SD RF 3.5 80.2% 8.19% 3.00 89 0 Vs. LHP
B. McCann ATL C 4.4 79.8% 1.26% 4.19 87 0
A. Amarista SD 2B 5.4 79.6% 4.97% 3.20 64 31
A. Craig STL RF 4.3 79.1% 2.32% 4.25 68 25
T. Colvin COL LF 5.4 78.5% 7.38% 3.08 84 0
R. Lavarnway BOS C 5.0 78.4% 11.11% 5.00 3 106
A. Ellis LAD C 7.0 78.2% 0.36% 3.90 86 0
J. Saltalamacchia BOS C 6.5 78.2% 4.20% 3.63 86 0 Vs. RHP
R. Andino BAL 2B 6.8 78.0% 0.00% 3.79 85 0 Vs. LHP
J. Guzman SD 1B 5.9 77.5% 14.55% 2.81 86 0
R. Ludwick CIN LF 6.1 77.1% 4.29% 3.69 84 0
C. Heisey CIN LF 5.6 77.1% 5.16% 3.23 84 0
J. Dyson KC CF 5.8 76.4% 1.25% 3.65 77 7
N. Schierholtz PHI RF 6.4 76.1% 14.43% 2.63 83 0
J. Thole NYM C 7.4 76.0% 4.24% 3.48 76 9
J. Hairston LAD SS 5.1 76.0% 2.24% 3.39 74 13
T. Campana CHC CF 3.8 75.6% 8.86% 2.64 70 14
J. Maxwell HOU CF 6.1 75.5% 13.68% 2.57 83 0
J. Buck MIA C 7.9 75.2% 0.00% 3.72 82 0
T. Plouffe MIN RF 6.6 74.7% 0.00% 3.95 74 10
P. Bourjos LAA CF 8.0 74.5% 0.62% 3.02 82 0
R. Santiago DET 2B 7.4 74.3% 3.43% 3.01 81 0
A. Dirks DET LF 3.8 73.9% 1.42% 3.97 40 55
A. Torres NYM CF 4.1 73.4% 3.03% 3.52 80 0
C. Ross BOS LF 5.7 73.3% 1.06% 4.03 80 1
N. Hundley SD C 5.9 73.3% 1.04% 3.91 55 36
J. Hannahan CLE 3B 8.2 73.3% 0.00% 3.44 68 16
N. McLouth BAL LF 6.7 73.2% 22.58% 1.88 37 58
C. Wells SEA RF 5.0 73.1% 2.88% 3.39 68 18
J. Lowrie HOU SS 3.2 72.7% 1.40% 4.21 80 0
B. Dozier MIN SS 6.5 72.5% 0.33% 4.00 79 0
L. Nix PHI LF 7.1 72.4% 16.39% 2.13 32 65
R. Hanigan CIN C 8.1 71.6% 0.45% 3.25 78 0
B. Inge OAK 3B 6.4 71.6% 0.70% 3.99 78 0
W. Bloomquist ARI SS 1.8 71.6% 0.94% 4.30 78 0
R. Johnson ATL LF 6.1 71.6% 16.48% 2.69 78 0
D. Gordon LAD SS 2.1 70.9% 0.33% 4.38 78 0
B. Abreu LAD RF 4.7 70.9% 9.36% 3.03 78 0
K. Suzuki WSH C 7.3 70.6% 0.37% 3.74 77 0
A. Kennedy LAD 2B 6.6 70.6% 13.89% 2.48 70 11
A. Presley PIT LF 2.3 70.4% 3.36% 3.86 76 0

Note: Stats from 2012 season from beginning of season through August 6, 2012. Notice something that may be off? Click here to let us know!

WE’RE LOOKING FOR MATCHUP NOTES! – Have a matchup note you think we should include the table above? Please send it to Cameron immediately, we’d love to include it AND give you credit for it.

Legend

Cut-Off: Only Players with above a .700 Game Appearance % are shown.

Column Meaning
Game Appearance % Games Played / Total Team Games 1
Avg. Batting Position Average of Games batted at slots 1-9. (Min of 4 ABs per slot required).
AB/G Player ABs per Game 2
Pinch Hit % Pinch Hit ABs / Total ABs
Matchup Notes Noted when it’s determined when a player sits out with some regularity in certain scenarios (i.e. Saltalamachia often sits vs. Lefties). 3

1 – _Adjusted for estimated Inactive Games. This is our best estimate of games missed when on the DL. The % games played statistic shows an estimate of the percentage of games each player takes the field for, minus any games spent on the disabled list

2Note: PA = AB + BB + HBP + SH + SF + Times Reached on Defensive Interference. PA is slightly better to determine a players’ value per game played. PA includes walks, so a player who walks a lot will be getting more Plate Appearances.

3 – “Vs. LHP” and “Vs. RHP” situations noted with credit to MLBDepthCharts.com

About the Author

Cameron
Cameron MacMillan (Cameron)

Cameron MacMillan is an entrepreneur and angel investor, who co-founded RotoGrinders in 2010, alongside Cal Spears and Riley Bryant. Cameron operated as the COO, creating & implementing a multitude of business & content systems for the company over the course of 11 years, before Better Collective completed its acquisition of RG in 2021. In 2022, Cameron stepped back into an Advisory Role.