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 | PA | AB | H | SO | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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 |
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.
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.
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.