The Indians recently signed former All-Star Bryan LaHair (yes, by some miracle Bryan LaHair was an All-Star) to a minor league deal this past week.

Presumably he was signed to compete with Jason Giambi for the role of the left-handed pinch-hitter, or potentially simply as minor league insurance on the 43-year-old Giambi.

We know Terry Francona loves platoons and playing lefty/righty match ups, so LaHair might be a viable option on the Indians roster. But let’s all pray that he’s never forced into a starting role.

Why?

Because he just might be the all-time worst hitter against left-handed pitching of all time.

Baseball-Reference provides split data dating back to 1916, and here are the 20 worst lefties against left-handed pitching in that near-100-year span (min. 90 plate appearances)

Rk Player Split BA PA AB H SO OBP SLG OPS
1 Ted Lilly vs LHP as LHB .044 103 91 4 44 .054 .055 .109
2 Al Leiter vs LHP as LHB .050 178 161 8 91 .089 .068 .158
3 Bruce Hurst vs LHP as LHB .054 111 92 5 60 .121 .054 .176
4 Tim Lincecum vs LHP as LHB .056 109 90 5 55 .115 .056 .170
5 Jim Merritt vs LHP as LHB .064 123 110 7 67 .120 .082 .201
6 Doug Rau vs LHP as LHB .067 119 105 7 40 .101 .067 .168
7 Dave Koslo vs LHP as LHB .071 111 99 7 49 .132 .071 .203
8 Dick Ellsworth vs LHP as LHB .072 241 208 15 112 .131 .082 .212
9 Steve Barber vs LHP as LHB .079 201 177 14 112 .147 .096 .243
10 Barry Zito vs LHP as LHB .079 152 127 10 35 .127 .079 .206
11 Jon Lieber vs LHP as LHB .079 173 152 12 69 .125 .079 .204
12 Jim Deshaies vs LHP as LHB .083 128 108 9 65 .168 .083 .251
13 Mike Cuellar vs LHP as LHB .083 226 206 17 107 .095 .092 .187
14 Bob Ojeda vs LHP as LHB .089 142 123 11 47 .145 .098 .243
15 Jamie Moyer vs LHP as LHB .095 149 116 11 51 .186 .095 .281
16 Bryan LaHair vs LHP as LHB .098 96 82 8 37 .221 .159 .380
17 Josh Johnson vs LHP as LHB .100 94 80 8 54 .153 .100 .253
18 Odalis Perez vs LHP as LHB .101 115 99 10 24 .119 .111 .230
19 Carlos Perez vs LHP as LHB .103 90 78 8 37 .125 .192 .317
20 Sammy Ellis vs LHP as LHB .103 121 107 11 59 .127 .103 .230
Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Play Index Tool Used
Generated 2/7/2014.

LaHair comes in at No. 16, surrounded by 19 other… pitchers. Yes, LaHair is actually worse against lefties than most major league pitchers, collecting just eight hits in 82 at-bats.

If we were to extend the list, we’d have to go all the way down to Jesse Gonder at No. 32, a a journeyman backup catcher from the 1960s, to find the next non-pitcher on the list.

Notable former Indian lefties who were more successful against their left-handed foes: Herb Score (.121 BA), Sam McDowell (.122) and Bob Lemon (.177).

Obviously this doesn’t mean LaHair can’t play a role for the Tribe, but it makes him a risky player to have on the bench. Any time he’s brought in to pinch-hit, opponents can immediately counter with a southpaw for an automatic out. Even Giambi, who has always struggled against lefties, hit .225 against them over the past two seasons.

2 Comments

  • Joseph Devito says:

    Only this ridiculously cheap organization can make signings like this. La Hair can’t hit. Therefore he is cheap, therefore we sign him. This ownership has no commitment to winning. While other teams have made improvements over the winter, look at what the Indians have done…We lost two of our starters,our closer and our set-up guy. We STILL do not have a middle of the order hitter and no real cleanup hitter. And what have they added…David Murphy a washed up veteran who no longer hits consistently. Shaun Marcum, a washed up pitcher who nobody else wants. And some relievers and utility players from the bargain basement. No doubt with this new cast we are headed for the basement.

  • Kevin says:

    I had LaHair last year on my fantasy team till the point he started going down hill after that all-star break. I think this is a nice minor league contract for the Indians. Who knows this guy could be eventually back at all-star potential. He is horrid vs lefties, but if he is used in the right situations I think this guy can be proven.