MLB Rankings: The Best Hitting Pitchers in the MLB Today

It seems that once a pitcher reaches the Major Leagues he is given the right of way to forget everything he has ever learned about swinging a baseball bat. National League pitchers step up to the plate every day just waiting to get put down on strikes.

While it's fair to say that pitchers aren't paid for what they do in the batter's box, every now and again a player comes along who can not only paint the strike zone, but can provide some pop at the plate as well.

Here is my list of the most impressive hitting pitchers in the MLB today. 

Mike Leake

Career Batting Average: .294

Career Hits: 25

Not only is Mike Leake one of the most promising young pitchers in Cincinnati's rotation, but he's also pretty dangerous with the bat. In just two MLB seasons Leake has recorded 25 hits (including three doubles) and scored 11 runs. Pair that with his 17-10 career record on the mound and Leake is a pretty well-rounded player.

Jason Marquis

Career Batting Average: .199

Career Hits: 113

Jason Marquis doesn't swing the bat as well as he used to, but his career statistics definitely make him deserving of a spot on this list.

Not only has Marquis racked up an impressive 113 hits over his career, but 37 of those hits were good for multiple bases (five home runs, two triples, 30 doubles). Throw in his 53 career RBIs and Marquis has had himself a nice career both on the mound and at the plate. 

Yovani Gallardo

Career Batting Average: .224

Career Hits: 49

It seems like everyone on the Brewers can hit the long ball and Yovani Gallardo is no exception. In just four seasons Gallardo has hit nine home runs and racked up 28 RBIs. Not bad at all for a pitcher.   

Dontrelle Willis

Career Batting Average: .236

Career Hits: 87

Willis spent three seasons in the American League with the Detroit Tigers and didn't get a chance to showcase the impressive bat skills he had shown off in his time with Florida. He's with Cincinnati now, though, and back in the NL where he will have a chance to prove he can still swing the stick.

With eight home runs and five triples to his name, don't be surprised if the D-Train turns out to be a pleasant surprise both on the mound and at the plate for the Reds.

Micah Owings

Career Batting Average: .291

Career Hits: 57

Arizona's Micah Owings is one of the only pitchers in the league to be regularly utilized as a pinch hitter. That may be because his .291 career batting average and nine career home runs are outstanding numbers for a pitcher.

Owings racked up 20 hits in 2007 while also hitting four home runs and slugging .683. If he wasn't so highly thought of as a talented young pitcher, he may have been able to find a spot on a Major League roster as a position player. 

Carlos Zambrano

Career Batting Average: .242

Career Hits: 158

Carlos Zambrano has always been, and is still today, one of the most feared hitting pitchers in all of baseball. Considering the 68 RBIs and 22 home runs he has recorded over his career, one can only wonder what kind of numbers he could have racked up had he only gotten to swing the bat more regularly.