The Short Answer: The best hitting pitchers of all time are...
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Walter Johnson (1907-1927)
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Babe Ruth (1914-1935)
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Wes Ferrell (1927-1941)
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Don Newcombe (1949-1960)
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Bob Gibson (1959-1975)
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Mike Hampton (1993-2010)
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Carlos Zambrano (2001-2012)
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Micah Owings (2007-2012)
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Madison Bumgarner (2009-present)
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Shohei Ohtani (2018-present)
Throughout baseball history, certain pitchers have defied expectations by excelling not just on the mound but in the batter's box as well. These rare talents brought extra value to their teams by contributing offensively in addition to their primary pitching duties.
From early baseball stars like Babe Ruth and Walter Johnson to modern examples like Madison Bumgarner and Shohei Ohtani, hitting pitchers have created some of the sport's most exciting and unexpected moments. Before we dive into detailed profiles of these baseball unicorns, let's first explore how the role of the hitting pitcher has evolved throughout baseball history.
The Rise and Fall (and Rise?) of the Hitting Pitcher
The Early Days: Two-Way Players Were Common
In baseball's early days, the line between pitchers and position players wasn't as clear as it is today. Many players moved between pitching and fielding positions, and most pitchers were expected to contribute with their bats. From the late 1800s through the 1920s, pitchers who could hit weren't seen as unusual but rather as valuable team assets.
Babe Ruth stands as the ultimate example from this era. Starting as a dominant pitcher for the Red Sox who could also hit with power, Ruth eventually became baseball's greatest slugger after switching to the outfield full-time. His move marked a turning point in how baseball viewed specialization.
The Middle Era: Specialized Roles Emerge
As baseball evolved through the 1930s-1960s, pitchers began focusing more on their mound work. The gap between pitchers' and position players' hitting abilities grew wider with each decade. In this era of increasing specialization, exceptional talents like Wes Ferrell and Bob Gibson still managed to be threats at the plate, but they were becoming the exceptions rather than the rule.
Don Newcombe's 1955 season stands out from this period. According to Baseball Reference, Newcombe generated an amazing 2.4 WAR with his bat alone that year, hitting .359 with power. This offensive contribution nearly doubled his value to the Brooklyn Dodgers that season.
The Designated Hitter Era: A Response to Declining Pitcher Hitting
By the early 1970s, pitchers as a group had become significantly worse hitters than position players. This wasn't because individual pitchers suddenly lost their batting skills, but rather the result of decades of specialization where pitching development took complete priority over hitting practice.
The American League responded to this trend in 1973 by implementing the designated hitter rule. It's important to understand that the DH rule didn't cause pitchers to become poor hitters – it was created because pitchers had already become poor hitters. Teams could significantly improve their offenses by replacing the pitcher in the batting order with a dedicated hitter.
National League pitchers continued hitting for nearly five more decades, but the offensive gap between pitchers and position players continued to widen. Research shows that pitcher hitting declined even more dramatically after 2000, with their offensive statistics falling further below league average each year.
The End of an Era and a New Beginning
By 2022, Major League Baseball implemented the universal designated hitter rule, officially ending the era of regular pitcher hitting in the majors. This closed a chapter of baseball history that dated back to the game's origins.
Yet just as this tradition faded away, Shohei Ohtani emerged as a genuine two-way star, excelling both as a pitcher and as a hitter. His unprecedented success has inspired a new generation to consider developing both pitching and hitting skills rather than specializing early.
The All-Time Greatest Hitting Pitchers
Let's explore the ten greatest hitting pitchers in baseball history - players who brought real value to their teams with their bats.
1. Walter Johnson (1907-1927)
"The Big Train" collected 547 career hits as a pitcher, including 94 extra base hits. His best season came in 1925 when he hit .433 with a .577 slugging percentage. Johnson proved that pitchers could be legitimate threats at the plate rather than automatic outs.
2. Babe Ruth (1914-1935)
Before becoming baseball's greatest slugger, The Great Bambino was a dominant pitcher who could hit. In 1918, his last season primarily pitching, Ruth hit .300 with 11 home runs in just 317 at-bats while winning 13 games on the mound. His hitting was so exceptional that it changed his career path.
3. Wes Ferrell (1927-1941)
Ferrell holds the “modern-era” record for most home runs by a pitcher with 38. His best season came in 1935, hitting .347 with 7 home runs. Ferrell was such a good hitter that he occasionally served as a pinch hitter, and his .280 lifetime average exceeded many position players of his era.
4. Don Newcombe (1949-1960)
Newcombe's 1955 season stands as perhaps the best offensive season by a pitcher in the live-ball era. He hit .359 with 7 home runs, generating 2.4 WAR with his bat alone. Over his career, Newcombe accumulated 8.8 offensive WAR and hit 15 home runs with a .271 batting average.
5. Bob Gibson (1959-1975)
One of baseball's most intimidating pitchers was equally fierce at home plate. Gibson hit 24 career home runs, drove in 144 runs, and amassed 7.8 offensive WAR. In 1970, he hit .303 for the season, taking pride in his complete game both on the mound and at the plate.
6. Mike Hampton (1993-2010)
Hampton won five consecutive Silver Slugger awards (1999-2003) and hit an impressive .315 in 2002 with the Colorado Rockies. His career includes 16 home runs and 8.2 offensive WAR. Hampton's smooth left-handed swing proved that some pitchers could look like natural hitters at the plate.
7. Carlos Zambrano (2001-2012)
"Big Z" hit 24 career home runs, including a memorable grand slam against the Mets in 2006. He won three Silver Slugger awards and finished with a respectable .238 career batting average. Zambrano's switch-hitting ability and natural power made him a genuine threat at bat.
8. Micah Owings (2007-2012)
Owings made his mark as a rookie in 2007, hitting .333 with 4 home runs and a .683 slugging percentage in just 64 plate appearances. The Arizona Diamondbacks occasionally used him as a pinch hitter because of his offensive skills. His 152 wRC+ that season ranks among the best for pitchers in the modern era.
9. Madison Bumgarner (2009-present)
Bumgarner cemented his reputation by hitting two home runs on Opening Day 2017. With 19 career home runs including multiple grand slams, his power has been his calling card. Bumgarner won two Silver Slugger awards and even hit a crucial home run during the 2014 World Series.
10. Shohei Ohtani (2018-present)
Ohtani represents a new breed of two-way player, excelling both as a starting pitcher and as a designated hitter. Though the universal DH means he doesn't bat when he pitches, his overall offensive production alongside his pitching excellence has changed how the modern game views two-way players.
How BRUCE BOLT Can Help the Next Generation of Two-Way Players
While the era of regular pitcher hitting may have ended with the universal DH rule, many young baseball players still aspire to excel both on the mound and at the plate. The success of Shohei Ohtani has inspired a new generation of two-way players who need proper equipment and training to pursue their dreams.
Training Tips for Young Two-Way Players
Aspiring two-way players should focus on building a consistent routine that includes both pitching and hitting practice. The best hitting pitchers throughout baseball history maintained their batting skills by taking regular batting practice and treating their plate appearances as seriously as their pitching.
Developing a smooth, compact swing like Mike Hampton or the natural power of Carlos Zambrano requires dedicated work in the batting cage alongside pitching development. With the right equipment from BRUCE BOLT, young players can perform at their best.
Premium Baseball Gear for Two-Way Players
The greatest hitting pitchers of all time – from Walter Johnson to Shohei Ohtani – remind us that baseball players can excel in multiple roles. But it takes the right combination of talent, training, and equipment.
For pitchers, arm care is especially important. BRUCE BOLT arm sleeves provide the support and protection needed to maintain arm health while managing the extra strain of batting practice. This dual support helps young athletes develop both skill sets without sacrificing either.
BRUCE BOLT's premium batting gloves give young two-way players the grip and comfort they need at the plate. Designed after studying every high-end batting glove on the market, BRUCE BOLT gloves combine the best features with superior quality that stands up to the demands of players who both pitch and hit.
Whether you're a starting pitcher, position player, or aspiring two-way star, BRUCE BOLT's premium baseball gear can help you perform at your best on the bump and at the plate.
