Could Burleson be the Top Hitter in the NL ?

Welcome to STLtoday.com's forum for fans of the St. Louis Cardinals.

Moderators: STLtoday Forum Moderators, Cards Talk Moderators

kscardsfan
Forum User
Posts: 320
Joined: 19 Jun 2023 10:38 am

Could Burleson be the Top Hitter in the NL ?

Post by kscardsfan »

Is it Burly or Raleigh?
MIDMOBIRDTWO
Forum User
Posts: 4228
Joined: 23 May 2024 14:24 pm

Re: Could Burleson be the Top Hitter in the NL ?

Post by MIDMOBIRDTWO »

kscardsfan wrote: 08 Sep 2025 22:35 pm Is it Burly or Raleigh?
They both have da big dumper!
Braund241
Forum User
Posts: 746
Joined: 24 May 2024 17:52 pm

Re: Could Burleson be the Top Hitter in the NL ?

Post by Braund241 »

kscardsfan wrote: 08 Sep 2025 22:35 pm Is it Burly or Raleigh?
No
Shady
Forum User
Posts: 6382
Joined: 26 Nov 2022 15:39 pm

Re: Could Burleson be the Top Hitter in the NL ?

Post by Shady »

Burleson is probably in the the top ten in the NL against RHP.
Horseradish
Forum User
Posts: 224
Joined: 23 May 2024 14:26 pm

Re: Could Burleson be the Top Hitter in the NL ?

Post by Horseradish »

Shady wrote: 09 Sep 2025 10:08 am Burleson is probably in the the top ten in the NL against RHP.
Why caveat that with “against RHP”? The question was about being the “top hitter” with no mention of platooning. Having to be a platoon hitter significantly hurts any chance of being the “top hitter in the NL” per the OP.

He’s 9th in batting average in the NL, but that’s the only hitting stat he’s top 10 in.

He will never be a top 10 hitter in either league, but he is still a useful complimentary player.
ecleme22
Forum User
Posts: 3707
Joined: 23 May 2024 21:17 pm

Re: Could Burleson be the Top Hitter in the NL ?

Post by ecleme22 »

Shady wrote: 09 Sep 2025 10:08 am Burleson is probably in the the top ten in the NL against RHP.
I just did a little research...

If you combined the Cubs and Brewers rosters and then added Burleson, he would rank 9th on that team vs RHP.

So no, an .811 OPS vs RHP isn't turning heads...
Shady
Forum User
Posts: 6382
Joined: 26 Nov 2022 15:39 pm

Re: Could Burleson be the Top Hitter in the NL ?

Post by Shady »

ecleme22 wrote: 09 Sep 2025 10:19 am
Shady wrote: 09 Sep 2025 10:08 am Burleson is probably in the the top ten in the NL against RHP.
I just did a little research...

If you combined the Cubs and Brewers rosters and then added Burleson, he would rank 9th on that team vs RHP.

So no, an .811 OPS vs RHP isn't turning heads...
Just curious, who do you consider the Cardinals top hitter against RHP?
rockondlouie
Forum User
Posts: 12096
Joined: 23 May 2024 12:41 pm

Re: Could Burleson be the Top Hitter in the NL ?

Post by rockondlouie »

Shady wrote: 09 Sep 2025 10:08 am Burleson is probably in the the top ten in the NL against RHP.
Oh h e l l no!

Top Ten hitters in the NL vs RHP are at or above .870 OPS.

By OPS there are 24 qualified NL hitters above Bumbles (.811) including B. Donovan (.822) vs RHP.
ecleme22
Forum User
Posts: 3707
Joined: 23 May 2024 21:17 pm

Re: Could Burleson be the Top Hitter in the NL ?

Post by ecleme22 »

Shady wrote: 09 Sep 2025 10:25 am
ecleme22 wrote: 09 Sep 2025 10:19 am
Shady wrote: 09 Sep 2025 10:08 am Burleson is probably in the the top ten in the NL against RHP.
I just did a little research...

If you combined the Cubs and Brewers rosters and then added Burleson, he would rank 9th on that team vs RHP.

So no, an .811 OPS vs RHP isn't turning heads...
Just curious, who do you consider the Cardinals top hitter against RHP?
Your line is, "Oh, thanks ecleme! My mistake. I guess I overestimate Burleson's worth."
Shady
Forum User
Posts: 6382
Joined: 26 Nov 2022 15:39 pm

Re: Could Burleson be the Top Hitter in the NL ?

Post by Shady »

ecleme22 wrote: 09 Sep 2025 10:37 am
Shady wrote: 09 Sep 2025 10:25 am
ecleme22 wrote: 09 Sep 2025 10:19 am
Shady wrote: 09 Sep 2025 10:08 am Burleson is probably in the the top ten in the NL against RHP.
I just did a little research...

If you combined the Cubs and Brewers rosters and then added Burleson, he would rank 9th on that team vs RHP.

So no, an .811 OPS vs RHP isn't turning heads...
Just curious, who do you consider the Cardinals top hitter against RHP?
Your line is, "Oh, thanks ecleme! My mistake. I guess I overestimate Burleson's worth."
The OP asked if Burleson could be the top hitter in the NL. I, at least, watered it down to probably a top ten against RHP.
Last edited by Shady on 09 Sep 2025 10:59 am, edited 1 time in total.
Shady
Forum User
Posts: 6382
Joined: 26 Nov 2022 15:39 pm

Re: Could Burleson be the Top Hitter in the NL ?

Post by Shady »

ecleme22 wrote: 09 Sep 2025 10:37 am
Shady wrote: 09 Sep 2025 10:25 am
ecleme22 wrote: 09 Sep 2025 10:19 am
Shady wrote: 09 Sep 2025 10:08 am Burleson is probably in the the top ten in the NL against RHP.
I just did a little research...

If you combined the Cubs and Brewers rosters and then added Burleson, he would rank 9th on that team vs RHP.

So no, an .811 OPS vs RHP isn't turning heads...
Just curious, who do you consider the Cardinals top hitter against RHP?
Your line is, "Oh, thanks ecleme! My mistake. I guess I overestimate Burleson's worth."
I'll rephrase it. If you underestimate Burleson, so much, as a hitter for the Cardinals. Who do you like better against RHP?
rockondlouie
Forum User
Posts: 12096
Joined: 23 May 2024 12:41 pm

Re: Could Burleson be the Top Hitter in the NL ?

Post by rockondlouie »

Shady wrote: 09 Sep 2025 10:48 am
ecleme22 wrote: 09 Sep 2025 10:37 am
Shady wrote: 09 Sep 2025 10:25 am
ecleme22 wrote: 09 Sep 2025 10:19 am
Shady wrote: 09 Sep 2025 10:08 am Burleson is probably in the the top ten in the NL against RHP.
I just did a little research...

If you combined the Cubs and Brewers rosters and then added Burleson, he would rank 9th on that team vs RHP.

So no, an .811 OPS vs RHP isn't turning heads...
Just curious, who do you consider the Cardinals top hitter against RHP?
Your line is, "Oh, thanks ecleme! My mistake. I guess I overestimate Burleson's worth."
I'll rephrase it. If you underestimate Burleson, so much, as a hitter for the Cardinals. Who do you like better against RHP?
Donny vs RHP
.307 .377 .445 .822

Bumble vs RHP
.288 .345 .466 .811
sdaltons
Forum User
Posts: 3344
Joined: 23 May 2024 12:45 pm

Re: Could Burleson be the Top Hitter in the NL ?

Post by sdaltons »

kscardsfan wrote: 08 Sep 2025 22:35 pm Is it Burly or Raleigh?
Well Raleigh is in the AL so
NYCardsFan
Forum User
Posts: 1220
Joined: 23 May 2024 13:52 pm

Re: Could Burleson be the Top Hitter in the NL ?

Post by NYCardsFan »

Burleson currently ranks 26th in the NL (49th in MLB) among qualified hitters with a 126 wRC+ vs RHP.
JohnnyMO
Forum User
Posts: 586
Joined: 23 May 2024 13:17 pm

Re: Could Burleson be the Top Hitter in the NL ?

Post by JohnnyMO »

OP’s joke aside…a reasonable person could make an argument Burly is the Cardinals best bat against RHP.

League wide? It would be hard to make a good argument he is in the top 30.
JohnnyMO
Forum User
Posts: 586
Joined: 23 May 2024 13:17 pm

Re: Could Burleson be the Top Hitter in the NL ?

Post by JohnnyMO »

JohnnyMO wrote: 09 Sep 2025 11:34 am OP’s joke aside…a reasonable person could make an argument Burly is the Cardinals best bat against RHP.

League wide? It would be hard to make a good argument he is in the top 30.
Did a little FanGraphs research. I didn't separate AL and NL because what's the point in modern baseball. Here is where Burly stands vs RHP MLB wide.

HR: Tied for 85th
RBI: Tied for 86th
AVG: Tied for 37th
OBP: Tied for 80th
OPS: Tied for 70th

So my original post gave him a little too much credit. Overall, he's a top 75 hitter against RHP in baseball.
Post Reply