Batting average is neither outdated nor imprecise.
It should absolutely be part of the evaluation of hitters. Not the only thing, but part. In fact, I'd say a slash line of BA/OBP/SLG is a better snapshot of a hitter than wOBA, which hides, rather than illuminates hitting ability. And OPS, for example, wildly overrates someone like Gallo. A .300 hitter with Gallo's OPS is a much better offensive player. Much much better.
And WPA? LOL. Junk.