Top 5 Phillies Pitchers Hitting
By: Philadelphia Phillies
Tags: MLB Playoffs, Baseball, Phillies, 2021, MLB

Top 5 Phillies Pitchers Hitting

After a year of the designated hitter across Major League Baseball, pitchers are back at the plate in the National League for 2021.

In the Phillies’ second game of the season, Zack Wheeler reminded fans just how exciting that can be.

“I love hitting, I feel like it’s a part of the game,” Wheeler said after the win. “I take pride in it and any chance I get to help the team, I try.

“It’s all fun. What do we have to lose, right? You go up there, you’re going to be seeing a fastball, so just hit it.”

Sounds easy, right?

Well, most baseball fans know it’s not. Pitchers in the National League are not known for being able to help themselves often. When they do, it’s a ton of fun.

So, before Wheeler and his suddenly red-hot bat take on the Braves tonight in his second start of the season, we thought it would be fun to rank the five best hitting seasons by Phillies pitchers.

5. Cliff Lee — 2011

Out of the fearsome five pitchers in the Phillies’ 2011 rotation, Lee was arguably the best with the bat, edging out Cole Hamels and Roy Oswalt. Despite being in his third season since coming over from the American League, Lee had 15 hits in 2011, good enough for a respectable .200 batting average.

His season was highlighted by two home runs, the latter of which came in a big spot on the road in Los Angeles. The first, a solo shot in a nationally-televised start, came with a memorable call by Braves’ pitcher Jair Jurrjens.

Lee finished with seven RBI and even stole a base in the Phils’ 102-win season. He also came feet away from a grand slam against the Reds on May 26. His blast bounced over the center-field fence for a ground-rule double, driving in two.

4. Steve Carlton — 1977

Let’s be honest. Steve Carlton didn’t notch his second Cy Young Award and sixth All-Star Game appearance in 1977 at the plate. The Hall of Famer’s dominance on the mound was massive in the Phillies’ 101-win season that sent them to their second straight National League Championship Series.

But when you pitch a lot of innings in the N.L., you’re going to get plenty of at-bats. Carlton made the most of his, finishing with an impressive .268 batting average in 112 plate appearances. He set career highs in RBI (15) and home runs (3) in 1977 before improving his average to .291 in 1978.

3. Robin Roberts — 1955

The Hall of Famer was an on-base machine, for pitchers’ standards, drawing 20 walks and finishing with a .360 on-base percentage and .252 batting average in 1955.

In his sixth-consecutive All-Star season (part of a streak of seven in a row), Roberts knocked in 13 runs, clubbed two homers and legged out four triples.

Roberts was a sneaky slugger, finishing with 55 doubles and 10 triples in a career that landed him a statue outside of Citizens Bank Park.

2. Schoolboy Rowe — 1943

Rowe (left) from his earlier playing days in Detroit.

Did we include him just because of his fantastic name?

No. Schoolboy was legit.

Lynwood Thomas “Schoolboy” Rowe was a three-time All-Star who pitched in five seasons for the Phillies and missed two others due to military service.

In his first year with the Phils, Rowe compiled a .300 average with four homers and 18 RBI. His 15 walks contributed to a ridiculous 147 OPS+. It was the highest OPS+ on the team. For reference, Stan Musial led the N.L. in 1943 with a 177 OPS+.

Rowe finished with an average higher than .300 two other times in his career, both with Detroit. In 1943, he finished in the top 15 of National League MVP voting.

1. Rick Wise — 1973

Rick Wise may be the first name that comes to mind when Phillies fans remember impressive hitting performances by pitchers.

His average was never outstanding, but Wise could drive the ball. Six of his 15 career home runs (15!) came in the 1971 season. Two of those came in one of the most incredible all-around performances in team history.

On June 23, 1971, Wise no-hit the Cincinnati Reds on the road in a 4–0 victory. This Reds team featured Johnny Bench, Pete Rose and Tony Perez, the building blocks for the Big Red Machine.

If shutting down that lineup that wasn’t enough, Wise also hit two home runs that day, providing three of the Phillies’ runs for himself.

Wise finished his career with 66 RBI, 138 complete games and 30 shutouts.

It came down to Pete Rose to finish off one of the most impressive games in Phillies history. Wise sure knew how to put on a show.

Honorable Mentions: Brett Myers and Joe Blanton — 2008