13 Best Pinch Hitters in MLB Right Now

The 13 Best Pinch Hitters in MLB Right Now

MLB boasts some of the top batters in the game, but it also has some of the best pinch hitters in history. The pinch hitters are the substitute batters, and they are an important part of the squad. In most cases, they replace the starting player in the event of an injury.

Similarly, pinch hitters can take the place of the starting pitcher if they have a good chance of winning the game. When these players enter the game, they usually have the ability to change the tide.

Keeping these considerations in mind, we have prepared a list of the finest pinch hitters currently active in the league. So, without further ado, tell us about these players.

13 Best Pinch Hitters in MLB Right Now

Eduardo Escobar, 13

Eduardo Escobar, a Venezuelan third baseman, will lead off our list of the top pinch hitters.

Escobar, 33, was born and bred in Venezuela and made his MLB debut for the Chicago White Sox in 2011.

Escobar, one of the best pinch hitters in the league right now, has established himself as a valuable utility player.

In his rookie season, he appeared in nine games and had two hits in seven at-bats.

After making his MLB debut with the Red Sox, he was dealt to the Minnesota Twins a year later.

He was with the Twins until the beginning of 2018, when he was dealt to the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Escobar was similarly sent to the Milwaukee Brewers. Finally, in 2021, he agreed to terms with the New York Mets on a two-year, $20 million contract.

In 2021, he was chosen an All-Star. Through the 2021 season, Escobar had a.256 batting average, 138 home runs, and 536 runs batted in.

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Yuli Gurriel, 12

Yuli Gurriel, a Cuban player, is 33 years old and plays first base.

In 2016, he made his MLB debut for the Houston Astros, earning the nickname “La Pia.”

Before entering MLB, Gurriel played for the Cuban national team, the Cuban Nation Series (CNS) club Sancti Spiritus, and the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) team Yokohoma DeNa BayStars.

In addition, while playing for the Cuban national team, he won an Olympic gold medal in 2004.

Before the Astros picked him, he had already established himself as one of the finest players in his home nation.

Gurriel was instrumental in guiding the Astros to the World Series championship in his debut MLB season.

With the triumph, he became the fifth player in league history to win both an Olympic gold medal and a World Series crown.

He earned the Gold Globe Award for the first baseman in 2021.

He was also the second Cuban-born player to win the American League hitting title.

Gurriel’s MLB statistics for the 2021 season are as follows.

293 batting average, 86 home runs, and 382 RBIs

DJ LeMahieu is number eleven.

DJ LeMahieu, a 34-year-old baseball infielder, ranks 11th on our list of the finest pinch hitters.

DJ was selected 79th overall by the Chicago Cubs in the second round of the 2009 MLB draft.

LeMahieu is regarded as a versatile player with a strong hitting ability.

Similarly, he employs some of the most advanced procedures, earning him the moniker “machine” and “Big Fundy.”

LeMahieu started playing baseball at a young age.

Although the Detroit Tigers selected him in the 41st round of the 2007 MLB draft during his senior year, he chose to attend college instead.

LeMahieu had previously piqued the interest of the media and scouts while playing collegiate baseball.

Baseball America ranked him as the Cape Cod League’s No. 6 prospect.

His notable accomplishments and honors in MLB include three All-Star appearances, two All-MLB First Team appearances, three Gold Glove Awards, two Silver Slugger Awards, and so on.

Through the 2021 season, LeMahieu has a.300 batting average, 1,454 hits, 95 home runs, and 535 runs batted in.

Brock Holt is ten.

Brock Holt, 34, is a free agent utility player.

In 2012, he made his Major League Baseball debut with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Holt began playing baseball in high school and progressed to the minor leagues before being promoted to the main leagues.

He has played every position except catcher and has primarily been an infielder.

He made his MLB debut with the Pirates before being dealt to the Boston Red Sox in 2013.

He was a free agent in 2019 after six seasons with the Red Sox.

Holt has been with the Milwaukee Brewers Washing Nationals since 2020, and he was formerly with the Texas Rangers.

He became the only player in MLB history to hit for the cycle twice in a postseason game while with the Red Sox.

His other major victories include the World Series title in 2018 and an All-Star selection in 2015.

Holt has a.262 batting average, 25 home runs, and 234 runs batted in through the 2021 season.

David Fletcher, No. 9

David Fletcher, 28, is our number nine best pinch hitter.

He is the second baseball player selected by the Los Angeles Angels in the sixth round of the 2015 MLB draft.

While attending college, Fletcher also played collegiate summer baseball with the Orleans Firebirds of the Cape Baseball League.

He spent several years in the minor leagues after being drafted by the Angles.

Then he joined the Orem Owlz for his first professional season.

Then, before making his MLB debut in 2018, Fletcher played for the Burlington Bees, Inland Empire 66ers, Arkansas Travelers, Mobile BayBears, and Salt Lake Bees.

In his debut season, he filled a variety of roles.

Fletcher signed a five-year extension contract worth $26 million on April 1, 2021.

His MLB numbers for the 2021 season are as follows:.281 batting average, 12 home runs, and 139 runs batted in.

Are you curious about some of the top third basemen in MLB right now? Click here to read more!

Rendon, Anthony

Anthony Rendon, a 32-year-old third baseman for the Los Angeles Angels, is our next pinch hitter.

In the 2011 MLB draft, he was selected sixth overall by the Washington Nationals.

Rendon began playing baseball at a young age.

He was a member of both his high school and collegiate baseball teams.

He had already received numerous wins and honors during his freshman year.

In addition, Baseball America awarded him the 2009 Freshman of the Year.

Rendon was regarded as one of MLB’s top prospects after getting drafted by the Nationals in 2012.

On April 21, 2013, he made his Major League Baseball debut with the Nationals.

Rendon played for the Nationals until 2019 when he signed a seven-year, $245 million contract with the Los Angeles Angels.

He was an All-Star, World Series champion, All-MLB First Team, two-time Silver Slugger award winner, NL Comeback Player of the Year, and MLB RBI leader throughout his career.

Bregman, Alex

Alex Bregman is the next pinch hitter on our list. Bregman, 28, is a third baseman who also plays shortstop.

In the first round of the 2015 MLB draft, he was chosen second overall by the Houston Astros.

Bregman was a standout baseball player in high school and college.

He was picked in the 29th round of the 2012 MLB draft by the Boston Red Sox, but he refused to sign with the team.

Bregman instead chose to attend Louisiana State University. He then made his official MLB debut in 2016 after being chosen by the Astros.

Bregman, known for his physical prowess and instincts, debuted as Team USA’s youngest member in 2017.

Similarly, his other career highlights include two All-Star appearances, the World Series championship, and Silver Slugger Award.

281 batting average, 117 home runs, and 397 RBIs

Nick Madrigal is number six.

Nick Madrigal, born Nicklaus Michael Madrigal, is a second baseman for the Chicago Cubs.

He is 25 years old and ranks sixth on our list of the finest pinch hitters.

Madrigal was picked by the Cleveland Indians in the 17th round of the 2015 MLB draft after playing baseball in high school and college.

He first chose to attend Oregon State University, where he played college baseball.

Madrigal was taken fourth overall by the Chicago White Sox in the 2018 MLB draft, two years after being selected by the Indians.

Nick was sent to the minor level AZL White Sox.

Madrigal made his official MLB debut for the White Sox on July 31, 2020, two years after being drafted.

Despite hitting his first major league home run on May 17, 2021, he sustained a proximal right hamstring strain on June 9.

Madrigal was forced to miss the rest of his 2021 season due to surgery.

The pinch hitter was dealt to the Chicago Cubs on July 30, 2021.

Through the 2021 season, his MLB statistics show a.317 batting average, 2 home runs, and 32 runs batted in.

Chris Taylor is number five.

Chris Taylor, our number five best pinch hitter, is 32 years old.

He is a utility player for the Los Angeles Dodgers and is known as “C3.”

In the fifth round of the 2012 MLB draft, he was selected by the Seattle Mariners.

Taylor made his MLB debut in 2014 after playing in the minor leagues as a rookie.

He started out as a shortstop, but he was promoted to second base.

The Mariners then dealt him to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Zach Lee.

Taylor hit his first major league home run, a grand slam, the following month against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Similarly, he was named NLCS MVP in 2017 and World Series champion in 2020, as well as an All-Star in 2021.

Michael Brantley is number four.

Michael Brantley, 35, is a left fielder for the Houston Astros.

On September 1, 2009, he made his MLB debut with the Cleveland Indians.

Brantley is the son of former Major League Baseball player and hitting coach Mickey Brantley.

The Milwaukee Brewers selected him in the seventh round, 205th overall, in the 2005 MLB draft.

Brantley, on the other hand, only played for the Brewers’ Rookie-level affiliates.

He was dealt to the Indians before making his MLB debut in 2008.

Brantley was a member of the Indians until the 2018 season.

Then, on December 17, 2018, he agreed to terms with the Houston Astros on a two-year, $32 million contract.

His significant career accomplishments achievements include five All-Star appearances and the Silver Slugger Award.

Through the 2021 season, Brantley has a.298 batting average, 1,571 hits, 122 home runs, 687 runs batted in, and 124 stolen bases.

Tommy La Stella 3

Tommy La Stella, nicknamed “TL,” is a baseball infielder with the San Francisco Giants.

Stella was taken in the eighth round of the 2011 MLB draft by the Atlanta Braves.

Stella, 33, attended St. John’s University and Coastal Carolina University before being chosen by the Braves. Before making his MLB debut in 2014, he played in the minor leagues.

Stella also played for the Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Angels, and Oakland Athletics in addition to the Braves.

The San Francisco Giants signed him to a three-year, $18.75 million contract in 2021.

His career highlights include World Series champion in 2016 and All-Star status in 2019.

Marwin González is number two.

We’ve reached the end of our list of the top pinch hitters.

Marwin González, a Venezuelan free agent who plays in the utility position, is our number two.

In 2005, he was signed as an international free agent by the Chicago Cubs.

González, now 42, played in the Cubs’ farm system from 2006 through 2011 after being signed.

The Boston Red Sox then selected him in the 2011 Rule 5 draft.

González made his MLB debut in 2012 when the Red Sox traded him to the Houston Astros.

He was a member of the Astros until 2018. Following that, he played for the Minnesota Twins and then the Red Sox.

He agreed to return to the Astros in 2021.

Furthermore, González pinch-hit four times during the World Series, getting one hit.

However, he became a free agent in November of the same year.

His most famous victory was as a World Series winner in 2017.

González’s MLB statistics are current through the 2021 season.

256 batting average, 101 home runs, and 397 RBIs

Arráez, Luis

We have risen to the top of our priority list. Luis Arráez, a Venezuelan baseball utility player, is our number one. Arráez, 25, made his Major League Baseball debut in 2019 with the Minnesota Twins.

In 2013, the Minnesota Twins signed Arráez as an international free agent.

He did, however, make his professional debut in 2014 with the Dominican Summer League Twins.

Arráez was promoted to the main league on May 17, 2019, after playing for other rookie league-affiliated teams till 2019.

He made his MLB debut against the Seattle Mariners.

The first season of Luis Arráez Arráez was a success.

On May 21 of his debut season, he hit his first major league home run and finished sixth in the American League Rookie of the Year vote.

Arráez’s MLB statistics are current through the 2021 season.

313 batting average, 6 home runs, and 83 RBIs

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Conclusion

The pinch hitters on this list are currently the finest in the league.

Although they may be a replacement for an active player, they have demonstrated the ability to change the game entirely.

So, what are your thoughts about our list? Do you know of any other pinch hitters who are currently on fire?