Worst Members of the 400 HR Club

[Loneranger]

Evans is no HoF'er but he's 100X beyond anything Dave Kingman could ever imagine. Kingman is clearly the top of this list. As for Ripken he certainly warrants consideration for being one of the worst. Having watched his entire career I would automatically put him at or near the top of any overrated list. Still he's no Kingman

 

[navamind]

And he still managed a .361 OBP, a more important stat than BA.

Evans had a 119 OPS+, higher than other 3rd basemen like Ken Boyer, Brooks Robinson, Aramis Ramirez, and Adrian Beltre.

And Ripken overrated? He was one of the better hitting shortstops (among shortstops with 6000+ PA, he's 17th in wRC+) and he was a great defender to boot. He's 2nd in WAR behind only Wagner (3rd if you count A-Rod).

Also, Evans had an identical OPS+ to Konerko and a higher one than Kingman. When you consider that Evans was a good defensive 3B and Konerko/Kingman were terrible defensively, it isn't even remotely close.

 

[broncosmitty]

The only 400+ HR club members with fewer WAR than Soriano are Kingman, Konerko*, and Dunn. Soriano's had some real good years ('02, '03, '06, '07, '08) and some real ugly ones ('09, '01, '11, and '14).

*If we're going to call anyone in this thread overrated, I think he's the most obvious one. He's the very epitome of a compiler, he was an average player throughout much of his career save for a couple years. Even in some of his best offensive years, some of his value provided on offense was negated by his horrible baserunning/hitting into double plays/defense.

People think Paul Konerko is a HOFer? (I didn't list Kingman because he goes without sayin', almost.)

 

[navamind]

People think Paul Konerko is a HOFer? (I didn't list Kingman because he goes without sayin', almost.)

Mostly White Sox fans, but still.

Don't get me wrong though, Konerko was still pretty darn good. A 119 OPS+ over 9400+ PA is a very good career.

 

[StanMarsh51]

Evans is no HoF'er but he's 100X beyond anything Dave Kingman could ever imagine. Kingman is clearly the top of this list. As for Ripken he certainly warrants consideration for being one of the worst. Having watched his entire career I would automatically put him at or near the top of any overrated list. Still he's no Kingman

Similar to Andruw Jones, if they were 1B, I'd agree that they're among the worst. But given that their production was while playing high-level defense at premium positions, absolutely not.

 

[broncosmitty]

Mostly White Sox fans, but still.

Don't get me wrong though, Konerko was still pretty darn good. A 119 OPS+ over 9400+ PA is a very good career.

He had(still is having if we're technical) an excellent career. But as a first basemen/DH, not HOF worthy.(if he'd somehow stated at short though....) He has been slightly underrated nationally on account of following Frank IMO.

 

[navamind]

As for Soriano, it makes you wonder how much better he would have been if he had learned to take a few more pitches (he's swung at 37.1% of pitches outside the zone in his career). He already had some great tools (especially the power), but a higher OBP would have been nice. Especially later in his career.

 

[Loneranger]

Similar to Andruw Jones, if they were 1B, I'd agree that they're among the worst. But given that their production was while playing high-level defense at premium positions, absolutely not.

I can see the case for that. Where I'm coming from is Ripken was never a very good SS to begin with and never should have been playing there

 

[StanMarsh51]

I can see the case for that. Where I'm coming from is Ripken was never a very good SS to begin with and never should have been playing there

He was certainly a good defensive SS....his career FRAA at shortstop was +181, and in 7 difference seasons was his FRAA at +15 or better (which is excellent). You can make the case he should've won gold gloves in '84, '85, '89, '90

 

[HammerDown]

Yes seriously, Ripken is one of the most overrated players of all time and Evans played forever and averaged 20 HR's a year he has a career BA of .248. Kingman and Dunn were already mentioned. No way Soriano should be on that list.

He's THE most overrated in the history of the game.

I'd take Dave Kingman at the plate over Andruw Jones though. In high school I could sink a baseball and am confident I could strike Jones out today if I had to.

 

[StanMarsh51]

He's THE most overrated in the history of the game.

I'd take Dave Kingman at the plate over Andruw Jones though. In high school I could sink a baseball and am confident I could strike Jones out today if I had to.

Yet, Kingman struck out more than Jones in less at bats, and Kingman led the league in strikeouts as many times as Jones finished in the top 10 in K's.

 

[MilkSpiller22]

Inspired by Soriano recently being DFA'd by the Yankees, I was curious to see who the worst players with 400 HR are..

Roids debate aside, there are 51 players with 400+ HR....is it as easy as saying Kingman, Soriano, Dunn, Soriano, and Konerko (in no specific order)?

Depends on the question... If you want to know who the worst overall players are, or if you want to know who the worst power hitters are...


Dunn and kingman, are not the worst if the question is who are the best power hitters... But if you want to know about overall players, they both would certainly be on the worst list...

 

[Wazmankg]

Yes seriously, Ripken is one of the most overrated players of all time and Evans played forever and averaged 20 HR's a year he has a career BA of .248. Kingman and Dunn were already mentioned. No way Soriano should be on that list.

I think the Ripken streak is the most overrated athletic accomplishment of all time , but come on.

I'll go with Kong.

 

[Nosferatu]

And he still managed a .361 OBP, a more important stat than BA.

Evans had a 119 OPS+, higher than other 3rd basemen like Ken Boyer, Brooks Robinson, Aramis Ramirez, and Adrian Beltre.

And Ripken overrated? He was one of the better hitting shortstops (among shortstops with 6000+ PA, he's 17th in wRC+) and he was a great defender to boot. He's 2nd in WAR behind only Wagner (3rd if you count A-Rod).

Maybe if you are a leadoff hitter but not for someone that's suppose to be driving in runs...

 

[BigDDude]

Just to get this one in I think Jason Giambi should at least get a mention.

 

[WhiteMamba]

Just to get this one in I think Jason Giambi should at least get a mention.

Negged.

 

[broncosmitty]

Just to get this one in I think Jason Giambi should at least get a mention.

I've come to respect Giambi in his twighlight shitty Indian phase.

 

[ChicagoIrish]

I watched Soriano for years be God awful in the field, and constantly strike out on a 2 strike slider, low and away.

I seriously can not stand the guy.

On top of his stupid little hop while catching fly balls.

 

[StanMarsh51]

I've come to respect Giambi in his twighlight shitty Indian phase.

I've always been somewhat of a Giambi fan, but I don't like that he's been trying to hang-on when he's been awful for a 3rd consecutive season....just retire and let some kid get the opportunity to play in the majors.

 

[navamind]

Maybe if you are a leadoff hitter but not for someone that's suppose to be driving in runs...

OBP is important regardless of lineup spot.