Statistics About The Most Foul Balls In One At Bat

In this post, we explore the fascinating world of baseball statistics by diving deep into the record for the most foul balls hit in one at bat. From the remarkable feat achieved by Ricky Gutierrez to the recent close calls by players like Brandon Belt, we analyze the significance of these marathon plate appearances and their impact on the game. So, let’s step up to the plate and examine the numbers behind these extraordinary at bats.

Statistic 1

"The professional baseball record for the most foul balls hit in one at bat is 21."

Statistic 2

"The player who holds this record is Ricky Gutierrez, who achieved it on June 26, 1998 while playing for the Houston Astros."

Statistic 3

"The pitcher during Gutierrez's record at-bat was Bartolo Colon."

Statistic 4

"This record-setting at bat lasted 20 minutes."

Statistic 5

"Gutierrez ended up striking out after the string of foul balls."

Statistic 6

"The record-setting at bat took place during the 13th inning of the game."

Statistic 7

"Gutierrez saw 18 consecutive foul balls during his at bat."

Statistic 8

"The most recent player to approach this record is Brandon Belt, who had a 21-pitch at bat with 16 foul balls in 2018."

Statistic 9

"Belt's 21-pitch at bat is the record for the longest in the Major Leagues since at least 1988 when pitch counts were first tracked."

Statistic 10

"Belt's at bat took nearly 13 minutes to complete."

Statistic 11

"During Belt's marathon at bat, which occurred during the first inning, a total of 38 pitches were thrown."

Statistic 12

"Ricky Gutierrez’s 20 fouls in a single turn is indeed an all-time record for most foul balls in one at-bat."

Statistic 13

"The average number of foul balls per at-bat in the MLB is approximately 1.56."

Statistic 14

"In the 2015 MLB regular season, foul balls accounted for 43.5% of the number of pitches seen."

Statistic 15

"Maikel Franco, an MLB player, held a record for most foul balls in one at-bat in the 2019 season with 16 foul balls."

Statistic 16

"In the 2019 MLB season, the average number of foul balls per game was around 54."

Statistic 17

"In 2019, batters reached a two-strike count in 41% of all plate appearances, the majority of which are caused by foul balls."

Statistic 18

"The MLB player who led the league in foul balls hit in the 2020 season was Freddie Freeman, with a total of 282."

In conclusion, the professional baseball record for the most foul balls hit in one at bat stands at 21, achieved by Ricky Gutierrez in 1998. This unique feat occurred during a 20-minute at bat against Bartolo Colon, where Gutierrez saw 18 consecutive fouls before ultimately striking out. Brandon Belt came close to breaking this record in 2018 with a 21-pitch at bat lasting nearly 13 minutes, setting a new MLB record for the longest at bat. The prevalence of foul balls in MLB games is evident, with an average of approximately 1.56 foul balls per at bat and foul balls accounting for 43.5% of all pitches seen in the 2015 season. This analysis sheds light on the significance of foul balls in baseball and their impact on the game’s dynamics.