Triple Milestones 2015

Offensive production in the major leagues increased slightly in 2015. The number of runs and home runs per game increased in 2015 and batting average, on-base percentage and slugging average also increased in 2015 after steadily declining since 2000.

Runs and home runs were up in 2015 to the highest level in 3 years. Nine players hit 40 or more home runs in 2015 compared to one in 2014 and two in 2013. The 30 home run level was reached by 20 players in 2015 compared to 11 in 2014 and 14 in 2013.

A useful indicator for tracking offense is the number of players who hit for both power and average by achieving a .300 batting average, 30 home runs and 100 runs batted in.  A record 26 players reached all three milestones in 2000, but that figure has dropped significantly in recent years. Only one player achieved all three in 2015, the lowest since 1989 when no players did it. Of the 20 players with 30+ home runs, only three batted over .300 and eleven had 100+ RBIs.  Maintaining a .300 batting average is clearly the major problem in achieving triple milestones.

The player that made the .300-30-100 club in 2015 was Paul Goldschmidt of Arizona, who did it for the second time.

The two MVP players just missed as did four others.

One other player made it in 2014 in addition to Abreu.

The following list contains the names of players, active in 2015, who have had multiple .300-30-100 seasons in the past but have not done it in the last three years.  Many have been limited by injuries. Some are still productive players like Albert Pujols, Ryan Braun and Adrian Beltre, but not at the same level as in their peak years.  Since this list was started in 2004, David Ortiz is the only player that has come back with another triple milestone season.

Twenty nine of the thirty major league teams have had at least one triple milestone hitter since the year 2000. Kansas City has not had a triple milestone hitter since Danny Tartabull in 1991.

Only one minor league playe  r recorded a triple milestone season in 2015.

Another player, who split time between the majors and minors, just missed:

No college players achieved triple milestones in 2015.

Pitchers also strive for triple milestones – 20 wins, 200 strikeouts and an ERA under 3.00. Only two pitchers made all three in 2015 and they were the Cy Young Award winners:

Four other pitchers came close:

Of these six pitchers, Price is the only one with a previous triple milestone season.  Arrieta and Keuchel were the only 20-game winners in 2015 but there were 12 pitchers with an ERA under 3.00 and 15 pitchers with 200 strikeouts. Winning 20 games is clearly the biggest obstacle in achieving a triple milestone season.