The Craziest Stat for Every MLB Team This Year

Major League Baseball loves its stats.

There are splits that detail how every team and every player has performed in every conceivable game situation in 2012.

I've handed picked the craziest ones for each club.

You'll see that some are used to explain overall success or struggles, while others will be difficult to believe. And a few are just cool.

Much thanks to Baseball-Reference.com for providing the data and the tools to sift through it all.

Arizona Diamondbacks: Batting Average from Shortstops

Stephen Drew is still rehabbing from the ugly ankle injury he suffered in 2011.

However, replacing him—at least offensively—hasn't been much of a challenge for the Arizona Diamondbacks. Between Willie Bloomquist and John McDonald, the team's shortstops have batted .298 this season.

Several clubs get more production from the position, including the Chicago Cubs, New York Yankees, St. Louis Cardinals and Texas Rangers, but their regular shortstops are anything but.

Atlanta Braves: Dan Uggla's Consecutive Innings Streak

Dan Uggla is the only National League player not to miss an inning in 2012.

What can I say, Cal Ripken Jr.—Major League Baseball has changed.

Uggla has steered clear of injury throughout his career, but it still surprises me that the Atlanta Braves haven't taken him off the field at any point. Not even for a defensive replacement like Jack Wilson.

The buff second baseman has limited range, sloppy hands and an inaccurate throwing arm (eight errors entering June 5).

Apparently the team believes it's all worth keeping his bat in the game.

Baltimore Orioles: WHIP in Extra Innings

So far this year the Baltimore Orioles have played in lots of extra innings (26.0).

Their most memorable extended affair took place on May 6, when they outlasted the Boston Red Sox in 17 innings. The highlight was DH Chris Davis taking the mound and hurling two scoreless innings to earn the victory.

He isn't the only reliever responsible for their 6-2 record beyond the ninth frame.

For whatever reason—desire to win, early dinner reservations, etc.—the O's boast a sparkling 0.81 WHIP in extra time.

Boston Red Sox: Different Outfielders

The Boston Red Sox have been decimated by injuries in 2012. Their outfield, especially, is in poor health.

Carl Crawford and Jacoby Ellsbury (60-day), and Darnell McDonald, Jason Repko and Cody Ross (15-day) are all on the disabled list.

Including journeymen (Scott Podsednik), prospects (Lars Anderson, Che-Hsuan Lin) and former infielders (Adrian Gonzalez), Bobby Valentine has used 11 different players as outfielders.

Not surprisingly, the skipper needed 45 unique batting orders to get through his first 54 games.

Chicago Cubs: Throwing Errors by Pitchers

As a last-place club, the Chicago Cubs struggle to execute on the field.

One statistic that stuck out to me was the total number of errors committed by their pitchers.

A group of eight Cubs—four starters and four relievers—has amassed 11 defensive miscues. Meanwhile, the cellar-dwelling Minnesota Twins' staff hasn't screwed up once in 88 total chances.

Chicago White Sox: OPS from Third Basemen

The Chicago White Sox are arguably the hottest MLB team entering June 5. They have won 14 of their past 16 contests in large part because of a recent run-scoring binge.

It's amazing that they've gone on this tear despite getting zero offense from third basemen.

Brent Morel, Orlando Hudson and a couple others have combined for a futile .448 OPS from the hot corner. None of them have contributed a home run, and their strikeout rate (63 Ks in 188 AB) is disgusting.

Despite this gaping hole in the lineup, the White Sox have averaged almost seven runs per game since May 17.

Cincinnati Reds: Games Won by Relievers

The bullpen was not supposed to be a strength for the Cincinnati Reds. Not after Ryan Madson underwent Tommy John surgery, and Bill Bray and Nick Masset were sidelined with significant injuries.

Nonetheless, their relievers lead the majors with 13 wins. They also rank first in ERA (2.36) and strikeout rate.

The middle-of-the-pack offense has actually prevented Cincy from separating farther from its NL Central rivals.

Cleveland Indians: Average Attendance

Just like last year, the Cleveland Indians take a winning record into the second third of the MLB regular season. And just like last year, fans aren't interested.

In May, closer Chris Perez demanded more home support, but to no avail.

Progressive Field draws the smallest crowds in the league (average of 17,159) and it isn't even close. About 60 percent of available seats have been unoccupied through 32 home dates.

The Indians aren't an attractive team, I suppose, because they also rank 30th in road attendance.

Colorado Rockies: Runs Per Game at Coors Field

The June 3 matchup between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Colorado Rockies was inexplicable. The result was a 3-2 Rockies victory.

Prior to that, Coors Field had not hosted a game in 2012 where neither team plated at least three runs.

Colorado has scored (195) and surrendered (180), the most runs at home this season (a combined average of 12.5 RPG). Seven of the 30 winners in high altitude have reached double digits.

It must be time to replace the humidor.

Detroit Tigers: Batting Average with Bases Loaded

It's no secret that the Detroit Tigers are underachieving this season.

Situational hitting has been among their chief weaknesses.

With the bases loaded they are batting .108 (4-for-37). That's a full 50 points below any other club!

Sure, the Pittsburgh Pirates have fewer runs batted in with three men on, but they haven't had nearly as many opportunities.

The Tigers are one of seven teams to not hit a grand slam yet.

Houston Astros: Struggles in the First Inning

In a rebuilding year, the Houston Astros would love to be playing .500 baseball. Despite their 23-31 record, they aren't far off.

Their run differential (runs scored minus runs allowed) is minus-14, whereas a differential of zero usually translates to as many wins as losses.

Houston has been outscored 45-32 in the first inning, a minus-13 differential. Otherwise, they essentially play even with their opponents.

Kansas City Royals: Home Record

The Kansas City Royals are on pace to lose more home games than the 2003 Detroit Tigers, 1962 New York Mets or any other team of the 162-game era.

Ouch.

The lineup was sputtering in April as the Royals embarrassingly went winless during their season-opening 10-game homestand.

Though K.C. is an abysmal 7-19 at Kauffman Stadium, the team is imposing when hosted elsewhere (16-11).

Los Angels Angeles of Anaheim: Distance of Average Mark Trumbo Home Run

Mark Trumbo is a strong kid. That's obvious from his total of 10 home runs but also from the distance of those bombs.

According to the ESPN Home Run Tracker, his average round-tripper in 2012 has traveled 422.3 feet.

Six of them qualify as "no-doubt" blasts, meaning they cleared the outfield fence by at least 20 vertical feet and landed at least 50 feet beyond it. Only Adam Dunn and Josh Hamilton have hit more of those.

Los Angeles Dodgers: Run Differential in Saturday Games

The Los Angeles Dodgers are understandably regressing without Matt Kemp, yet their streak of Saturday dominance is still intact.

Their record in mid-weekend contests is a perfect 9-0. L.A. has convincingly outscored its Saturday opponents, 46-17. The St. Louis Cardinals and Washington Nationals have been victims.

The team's three biggest stars—Andre Ethier, Clayton Kershaw and Kemp—shine on Saturdays. But they don't win the games on their own.

Despite faring poorly on the season, Dee Gordon (.333/.389/.455, 4 SB) and James Loney (.343/.395/.514) save their best for the sixth day of the week.

Miami Marlins: Patience on 3-0 Pitches

The red-hot Miami Marlins are rarely praised for their patience at the plate. The Fish are especially cruel to opposing pitchers who fall behind in the count.

No Marlins batter has given away an out on a 3-0 pitch. In 35 instances, those plate appearances have ended in walks, but Miami is the lone NL club to never put the ball in play or be caught stealing in such a scenario.

Milwaukee Brewers: Record Against Los Angeles Dodgers

Overall, the Milwaukee Brewers have not had a campaign to be proud of. The pitching staff is slumping and their lineup—sans Prince Fielder—isn't as productive.

One thing to hang their hats on has been their play against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The season series between them has already concluded with the Brew Crew winning six of seven. Included in that is a four-game sweep of L.A. at Dodger Stadium.

Versus all other MLB teams, the Brewers are terrible (18-29).

For whatever reason, they feel at ease against baseball's toughest opponent.

Minnesota Twins: Pitchers to Make Multiple Starts

Ron Gardenhire knows he's stuck with terrible starting pitching (13-27, 6.20 ERA). That's why he's trying everything—or rather, everyone—to right the ship.

The Minnesota Twins are impatient with their underperformers. To say there has been a lot of turnover in the big-league rotation doesn't quite sum it up.

So here's a stat.

Nine different pitchers have made multiple starts for the Twins in 2012. Five of those men have earned run averages of 6.00 or above. None have pitched every fifth day, with each at one point being demoted (to Triple-A or the bullpen) or lost to injury.

New York Mets: R.A. Dickey's Strikeout Rate

Knuckle-baller R.A. Dickey entered 2012 with a reputation for working efficiently and pitching to contact.

In his third season with the New York Mets, however, the 37-year-old is striking out batters at an alarming rate. In 73.2 innings pitched, he has punched out 70, which ranks him ahead of Zack Greinke, Tim Lincecum and Jake Peavy (just to name a few).

Dickey is also excelling by other measures with a 8-1 record, 2.69 ERA and 1.05 WHIP.

All that from a guy who can barely touch 85 mph with his best fastball.

New York Yankees: Aging Position Players

The New York Yankees always field a veteran ball club, but this is a little ridiculous.

Currently, they are carrying 13 position players on the active roster, all of which are at least 29 years of age! Born on February 15, 1983, catcher Russell Martin is the "baby" of the bunch.

Every other MLB team currently carries two or more post-1984 position players.

Oakland Athletics: Games Started by Rookie Pitchers

By contrast, the Oakland Athletics are ushering in a wave of youth, particularly through their five-man rotation.

Four rookie pitchers have combined to start 32 games for the A's (out of 55 total). Jarrod Parker—who nearly no-hit the Texas Rangers on June 4—has had the most success.

As you probably suspect, Oakland is the only team delegating the majority of its starts to players with rookie eligibility. It's not exactly a winning strategy, though.

Philadelphilia Phillies: Days in First Place

One year ago, the Philadelphia Phillies set a franchise record with 102 wins. They led the NL East wire-to-wire and clinched the division title in mid-September.

But this season, beset by injuries to impact players, they have never held sole possession of first place.

The Phils lost three straight after triumphing on Opening Day. They have been playing catch-up ever since.

Pittsburgh Pirates: Record When Andrew McCuthchen Gets an RBI

Andrew McCutchen's offensive brilliance keeps the Pittsburgh Pirates (27-26) relevant in the 2012 playoff race .

The centerfielder stands out in a lineup of struggling youngsters who rarely win without his contributions.

On occasions where McCutchen records at least one RBI, Pittsburgh is 16-3.

The Pirates were McCutchen-less for three games in May. Of course, they were obliterated by a combined score of 23-4.

San Diego Padres: Run Support for Edinson Volquez

Edinson Volquez is "wildly effective" again. He battled injuries over the past three seasons, but looks to be in 2008 form.

Just without the 2008 win-loss record.

He has earned only two victories through 12 outings, largely due to a lack of offensive support.

Behind him, the San Diego Padres average barely 1.8 runs per game. They have yet to score more than four with him on the mound.

San Francisco Giants: Earned Run Average in the Ninth Inning

Losing eccentric reliever Brian Wilson to season-ending surgery was upsetting from both a competitive and public relations standpoint. It meant the San Francisco Giants would have to plug somebody new into the closer's role for the first time since 2007.

The transition has been smoother than expected.

Thanks to Santiago Casilla, San Francisco's 1.27 ERA in the ninth inning is the best in baseball. He's doing the job as well as Wilson could... and at a $6.3 million discount.

Seattle Mariners: Home Runs Away from Safeco Field

It's only fitting that a ballpark named "Safeco Field" is averse to allowing bombs.

But once the Seattle Mariners distance themselves from their pitcher-friendly home, they become an offensive juggernaut. No MLB team has slugged more than their 41 home runs at foreign venues.

In particular, the M's are mashing on their current road trip with 11 long balls in seven games.

That's nearly as many as they've hit in Seattle all summer!

St. Louis Cardinals: Times Held Scoreless

The St. Louis Cardinals were honored with the No. 5 spot in my re-ranking of MLB lineups.

A disappointing series against the New York Mets already has me second-guessing that placement.

The reigning world champs were held scoreless by Johan Santana and R.A. Dickey on consecutive nights. On the season, they've now been shut out of six occasions.

It's a surprising stat considering that the Cards rank first among National League teams in batting average, home runs, OPS, etc.

Tampa Bay Rays: Stolen Base Percentage Against

The Tampa Bay Rays overlook Jose Molina's offensive deficiencies. They didn't sign him to be a run-producer, but to gun down would-be base stealers.

Instead, opponents are 12-for-15 (80 percent) when attempting to run against him. Molina was twice as efficient over his first dozen MLB seasons.

Left-hander David Price and James Shields—known to have a wicked pick-off move—have also regressed from their past rates.

As a team, Tampa Bay's stolen base percentage against is 82.9, worst in the American League. That's hardly what you would expect from one of Joe Maddon's teams.

Texas Rangers: OPS from Ninth Spot in the Lineup

The Texas Rangers lineup is certainly the deepest in the majors.

Runs are created up and down the batting order, from one through nine. And especially at nine.

Platoon players Craig Gentry and Mitch Moreland often occupy that spot. Together, they have combined for a .752 OPS from the rear, which belittles a handful of MLB cleanup hitters.

Texas' No. 9 guys also lead all others in batting average (.282) and runs batted in (29).

Toronto Blue Jays: Home Runs on Fridays

The Toronto Blue Jays love Fridays almost as much as Rebecca Black does.

In just eight such games, Canada's club has launched 19 home runs. Edwin Encarnacion (4), Jose Bautista (3), J.P. Arencibia (2), Rajai Davis (2) and Yunel Escobar (2) have been the primary power sources.

To put that in perspective, the Pittsburgh Pirates have also played eight Friday dates... and homered once.

Washington Nationals: Rookie Offensive Leaders

Washington Nationals outfielders Bryce Harper and Steve Lombardozzi made history on June 3. They became the first rookies in MLB history to lead off a ballgame with back-to-back home runs.

Their offensive efforts have kept the team afloat despite countless injuries.

The two novices lead the Nats in batting average (Lombardozzi: .309, Harper: .288) and on-base percentage (Harper: .380, Lombardozzi: .372).

NL Rookie of the Year candidates? Without a doubt. And don't be shocked if Harper contends for another league-wide honor this season.

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