Miami Unsound RBI Machine

The 2013 Marlins trot out one of the worst offenses seen in many years. They’ve scored 455 runs in their first 139 games, 69 runs fewer than the next lowest squad (White Sox at 524). At their current 3.27 runs per game, they’ll tally 530 runs this year. There’s been only one team to score fewer than 530 runs in a non-strike season since 1969, that being the 2010 Seattle Mariners.

The team leader in RBI for those Angels was LF Rick Reichardt, who knocked in 68. Jay Johnstone had 59 and no other Angel had more than 49. Well the Marlins may trump that “team RBI leader” factoid.

Here are the top 10 Marlins in terms of RBI this season. Whether by injury, roster turnover, incompetence or lack of RBI opportunities, its a scary sight:

To put this in perspective, Miguel Cabrera has had four different MONTHS this season with at least 21 RBI. Cabrera HAS benefitted from having the ninth-most runners on base during his plate appearances this season (see below), but still . . .

If you are wondering where the Marlins are on this list, the first name you would come across if you listed everyone’s total would be Adeiny Hechavarria with 278, good for 109th place in the Majors. Then you’d have to wait for Justin Ruggiano‘s 179th place mark of 229 for the next appearance by a Marlin.

Beyond the utter lack of RBI opportunities, the Marlins just aren’t cashing those few(er) situations in. Here are the top 10 players in RBI percentage, with a minimum of the 227 plate appearances Jeff Mathis has had for the Marlins. Allen Craig leads the Majors driving in 84 of the 362 runners he’s had on base, good for 23.2% (OBI: others batted in)

The best Marlin in terms of OBI percentage? Well here are the placements of each Marlin with at least 227 PAs this season. Marcell Ozuna‘s 17% is good for 39th place overall, then the next best is Donovan Solano at 15.1%, good for 105th place.

Going into Saturday night’s action, Giancarlo Stanton leads the Marlins with 46 ribbies. With 23 games left, he SHOULD get four more for 50. But just in case, here are the teams with NO > 50 RBI players on their roster in a non-strike season. Note that it hasn’t happened since the advent of the 162-game schedule: