Overlooked offensive stat

[ClassicO]

I think the best purely hitting stat (not player value) is wRC+ or OPS+ - both of which adjust for park factors.
But the overlooked stat is Runs Scored. Like RBI, it may be team-dependent, but not nearly as much.
Players can take several steps to increase the frequency of their scoring. HR of course, but getting on base frequently, getting on with a double or triple, stealing bases, taking extra bases on singles or doubles, taking a base on a ball that gets away from the catcher but isn't a WP or PB.
I always thought it was one of Pujols' great strengths.

Note - the top 2 in 2025 to date are Ohtani (an absurd 100) and Judge (90) = the best players. The rest https://www.mlb.com/stats/runs

Top 10 all-time in runs scored:
Rickey Henderson: 2,295
Ty Cobb: 2,245
Barry Bonds: 2,227
Hank Aaron: 2,174
Babe Ruth: 2,174
Willie Mays: 2,062
Albert Pujols: 1,914
Alex Rodriguez: 1,795
Pete Rose: 2,165
Cap Anson: 1,989

[renostl]

I think the best purely hitting stat (not player value) is wRC+ or OPS+ - both of which adjust for park factors.
But the overlooked stat is Runs Scored. Like RBI, it may be team-dependent, but not nearly as much.
Players can take several steps to increase the frequency of their scoring. HR of course, but getting on base frequently, getting on with a double or triple, stealing bases, taking extra bases on singles or doubles, taking a base on a ball that gets away from the catcher but isn't a WP or PB.
I always thought it was one of Pujols' great strengths.

Note - the top 2 in 2025 to date are Ohtani (an absurd 100) and Judge (90) = the best players. The rest https://www.mlb.com/stats/runs

Top 10 all-time in runs scored:
Rickey Henderson: 2,295
Ty Cobb: 2,245
Barry Bonds: 2,227
Hank Aaron: 2,174
Babe Ruth: 2,174
Willie Mays: 2,062
Albert Pujols: 1,914
Alex Rodriguez: 1,795
Pete Rose: 2,165
Cap Anson: 1,989

The big HR will always be at occupy much of these lists.

I do agree with what you are pointing out. It is a player who doesn't just get singles and stand
on 1B. It's a player like Elly De La Cruz this season. Yes he does hit some HR's 18 so far, He also has
26 2B/3B along with 29 SB. He's getting himself in scoring position. He has scored 60 runs this way when
subtracting when he knocks himself in. He pressures the defense and he scores runs.

It's a trait Edman had in '21 and '22 while being an average hitter and a less-than-ideal OBP.
He was still average, but he maximized his being average through 2B/3B and SB's. Compare to the profile of a Burleson
and to some extent Donovan and I'm not hating on either.

[rockondlouie]

Had he not pitched and started out as just a hitter at age 20, The Babe would've probably been over 2,600+ runs scored!

[Carp4Cy]

I think the best purely hitting stat (not player value) is wRC+ or OPS+ - both of which adjust for park factors.
But the overlooked stat is Runs Scored. Like RBI, it may be team-dependent, but not nearly as much.
Players can take several steps to increase the frequency of their scoring. HR of course, but getting on base frequently, getting on with a double or triple, stealing bases, taking extra bases on singles or doubles, taking a base on a ball that gets away from the catcher but isn't a WP or PB.
I always thought it was one of Pujols' great strengths.

Note - the top 2 in 2025 to date are Ohtani (an absurd 100) and Judge (90) = the best players. The rest https://www.mlb.com/stats/runs

Top 10 all-time in runs scored:
Rickey Henderson: 2,295
Ty Cobb: 2,245
Barry Bonds: 2,227
Hank Aaron: 2,174
Babe Ruth: 2,174
Willie Mays: 2,062
Albert Pujols: 1,914
Alex Rodriguez: 1,795
Pete Rose: 2,165
Cap Anson: 1,989

That’s quite a list. Surprised Rose didn’t finish higher with 4000 hits.

[RunSup]

44. Masyn Winn
53. Brendan Donovan
69. Willson Contreras
79. Lars Nootbaar
104. Victor Scott II
123. Nolan Arenado
...

[ClassicO]

I think the best purely hitting stat (not player value) is wRC+ or OPS+ - both of which adjust for park factors.
But the overlooked stat is Runs Scored. Like RBI, it may be team-dependent, but not nearly as much.
Players can take several steps to increase the frequency of their scoring. HR of course, but getting on base frequently, getting on with a double or triple, stealing bases, taking extra bases on singles or doubles, taking a base on a ball that gets away from the catcher but isn't a WP or PB.
I always thought it was one of Pujols' great strengths.

Note - the top 2 in 2025 to date are Ohtani (an absurd 100) and Judge (90) = the best players. The rest https://www.mlb.com/stats/runs

Top 10 all-time in runs scored:
Rickey Henderson: 2,295
Ty Cobb: 2,245
Barry Bonds: 2,227
Hank Aaron: 2,174
Babe Ruth: 2,174
Willie Mays: 2,062
Albert Pujols: 1,914
Alex Rodriguez: 1,795
Pete Rose: 2,165
Cap Anson: 1,989

That’s quite a list. Surprised Rose didn’t finish higher with 4000 hits.

Only Rose and Ricky were lead off hitters. Anson and Cobb batted in the MOTO, as did most others.
Rose just didn’t have the XBHs