Lowest BA for NL batting champ?

[rhd]

The lowest BA for a batting champion in NL history was .313 by Tony Gwynn in 1988. There is a chance that that record could be broken this year. Currently, the NL batting leader is Luis Arraez at .303, which is a separate story in itself. Currently, Ohtani is the only other qualified hitter over .300 at .302. There are several other NL hitters that are close to qualifying that have higher averages than Arraez: Mookie Betts at .304 (currently on IL), Christian Yelich at .315 (currently on IL), and Trea Turner at .308. Turner probably will qualify soon if he stays healthy. Yelich and Betts are due back soon and Betts probably will qualify if healthy but Yelich might not.

No batting champ in the modern era has ever had a sub-.300 avg. but that also is possible this year. The lowest avg. for a modern batting champ was .301 by Carl Yastrzemski in 1968. No problem w this happening in the AL this year w several players far above .300, led by Bobby Witt's .349.

[Sharky]

Proof the game is broken?

[madducks]

Luis Arraez revealed Friday that he’s been playing through a torn ligament in his left thumb.

[revo]

Wow, hadn't realized this

[rhd]

There still are only 2 qualified hitters hitting .300+ in the NL: Arraez at .306 and Ozuna at .308. Yelich now is out for the year, Betts is at .300 but doesnt quite qualify yet and Trea Turner is at .298, who also doesnt yet qualify. Ketel Marte, who does qualify, also is at .298.

[rhd]

Arraez has opened up a small cushion now in his lead for the NL batting crown. He currently is at .318. Ozuna and Betts (who still doesnt qualify but should soon) are both at .305. It looks like we wont have a sub-.300 champion but the lowest avg. for an NL BA champ is still in play.

I didnt mention it before but Arraez is threatening to become the only player in MLB history to win 3 straight batting titles for 3 different teams. He won as a Twin in 2022 (.316), as a Marlin in 2023 (.354) and is a Padre now. If he accomplishes this, that would be a record that isnt likely to be equaled for a quite a while.