Lamonte Wade's interesting start

[GM64]

I was curious how rare the start of Wade's big league career was:  (7 BBs before his first hit).  I don't have the means of testing that (the first X plate appearances, regardless of how many others there are), but I used the Play Index on Baseball Reference to look for players since 1961 who met the following criteria in their first season:

 

1. at least 60 plate plate appearances  (given the outfield injuries and where Wade ranks in the pecking order, I think that may be about right --- starting half the games gets him there).  

 

2. non-pitcher

 

3. more BB than H

 

21 players:  Jake Rogers for Detroit is currently on track to do it.  And old friend Eric Soderholm of the Twins, in 1972 did it.  

 

If you limit it to those with an OBP over .300 (As we may reasonably hope Wade performs), to eliminate those who simply stunk at the plate, the list contains only 12.  Soderholm is one who drops out.  And none of the 12 is anything approaching a household name.  

 

J.P. Crawford 2017
Colin Walsh 2016 
Brett Jackson 2012 
Felipe Crespo 1996 
Ralph Milliard 1996 
Greg Tubbs 1993 
Jeff Manto 1990 
Billy Jo Robidoux 1985 
Al Chambers 1983

Glenn Gulliver 1982 
Bobby Brooks 1969 

Joe Lahoud 1968 
 

[Doctor Wu]

Interesting stat. Thanks for doing the research!

[sampleSizeOfOne]

Yeah, last Tuesday at Fenway, i drew my friends' attention to >.4 obp and 0 ba.

We concluded he was 0-4 w/ 3 walks at the time. I think he walked once more that game.