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With the decade winding down in just a matter of weeks, we’ve done
our part in bringing you the best of the decade for several categories
in college baseball. It doesn’t stop now, though. In our latest best of
the decade feature, we take an inside look at the best hitters this decade.
10. Yonder Alonso, Miami (Fla.)
If not for a man named Buster Posey, Yonder Alonso would’ve been my
sure pick for National Player of the Year two seasons ago. Alonso had
an outstanding career at Miami and was one of the nation’s most feared
sluggers for three seasons. As a freshman, Alonso batted .295 with 18
doubles, 10 homers and 69 RBIs. He also slugged .492 and had a .373
on-base percentage. As a sophomore, Alonso batted .376 with 13 doubles,
a triple, 18 homers and 74 RBIs. Then, as a junior, he capped off a
great career by hitting .370 with 12 doubles, a home run, 24 homers and
72 RBIs. He also slugged .777 and had a .534 on-base percentage. Alonso
also could be a great pro someday.
9. Chris Burke, Tennessee
It’s no surprise to anyone that Burke made it to the big leagues. What
an outstanding three-year career he had with the Volunteers. Burke had
a great freshman campaign, but that season took place last decade. As a
sophomore in ’00, though, he continued where he left off in year one.
He batted .401 with 26 doubles, four triples, four homers and 55 RBIs.
He also slugged .570 and had a .448 on-base percentage. As a junior,
Burke batted .435 with 21 doubles, 11 triples, 20 homers and 60 RBIs.
He also had a .815 slugging percentage and a .537 on-base percentage.
Burke joins Todd Helton and others on a long list of great Tennessee
hitters.
8. Buster Posey, Florida State
One of college baseball’s most enjoyable players this decade both on
and off the field, Posey always was good for a few fireworks at the
plate. He wasn’t much of a power hitter the first two campaigns with
the Seminoles, but exploded as a junior. As a freshman, Posey batted
.346 with 14 doubles, three triples, four homers and 48 RBIs. He also
slugged .467 and had a .433 on-base percentage. As a sophomore, Posey
batted .382 with three homers and 65 RBIs. He also slugged .520 and had
a .453 on-base percentage. As a junior, Posey batted .463 with 21
doubles, four triples, 26 homers and 93 RBIs. He also slugged .879 and
had a .566 on-base percentage. What Posey accomplished during his time
at FSU is amazing.
7. Dustin Pedroia, Arizona State
Pedroia has earned a wealth of recognition for what he has accomplished
in the big leagues. He also had a fantastic college career at Arizona
State. Pedroia wasted little time making a statement. He batted .347
with 13 doubles, a pair of triples and 45 RBIs as a freshman. As a
sophomore, Pedroia batted .404 with 34 doubles, three triples, four
homers and 52 RBIs. He also slugged .579 and had a .472 on-base
percentage. In his final season with the Devils, he batted .393 with 24
doubles, nine homers and 49 RBIs. He also slugged .611 and had a .502
on-base percentage. Pedroia was a complete hitter during his time at
ASU.
6. Alex Gordon, Nebraska
In addition to his role as a solid defensive third baseman, Gordon was
one of the nation’s most feared hitters in his three seasons with the
Huskers. Gordon batted .319 with 13 doubles, seven homers and 48 RBIs
as a freshman. As a sophomore, though, he took a huge step forward.
Gordon batted .365 with 18 doubles, five triples, 18 homers and 75
RBIs. He also slugged .754 and had a .493 on-base percentage. In his
final season with the Big Red, Gordon batted .372 with 22 doubles, four
triples, 19 homers and 66 RBIs. He also slugged .715 and had a .518
on-base percentage. Gordon was a fun player to watch in his time with
the Huskers.
5. John-Ford Griffin, Florida State
The Seminoles have had more solid hitters this decade than you can
count on two hands, and Griffin simply was the best. He put together
four outstanding campaigns for the Seminoles. Griffin batted .436 with
15 doubles, three homers and 35 RBIs as a freshman. He batted .403 with
33 doubles, three triples, nine homers and 58 RBIs as a sophomore. In
his final season with the ‘Noles, Griffin batted .450 with 30 doubles,
19 homers and 75 RBIs. He also slugged .797 and had a .542 OBP. The
‘Noles never will forget the amazing performances Griffin put together
for the program.
4. Khalil Greene, Clemson
Greene was one of few players on this list to spend four seasons at the
college where he shined. Clemson was lucky enough to have his services
for several campaigns. Greene batted .358 with eight homers and 69 RBIs
as a freshman, .364 with five homers and 64 RBIs as a sophomore and
actually had a down junior campaign with a .303 batting average, 12
homers and 52 RBIs. As a senior, though, Greene compiled a .470 batting
average, which ranks second in the ACC in season batting average. He
also blasted 27 homers and knocked in 91 runs. Also worth noting is the
fact Greene recorded 33 doubles and had a .552 on-base percentage. He
was an incredibly special player.
3. Brett Wallace, Arizona State
Wallace certainly wasn’t a physical specimen during his days at Arizona
State, but had an uncanny ability to hit the baseball with consistency.
What an amazing offensive career he had at ASU. Wallace batted .371
with seven homers and 32 RBIs as a freshman. As a sophomore, Wallace
batted .423 with 17 doubles, five triples, 16 homers and 78 RBIs.
Finally, as a senior, he batted .410 with 12 doubles, two triples, 22
homers and 83 RBIs. Wallace recorded an on-base percentage better than
.500 in two of his three seasons with the Sun Devils. In addition to
his accomplishments on the field, Wallace also was one of coach Pat
Murphy’s favorite players off the field.
2. Rickie Weeks, Southern
It’s no surprise that Weeks also has had a successful professional
career. What an amazing player he was at Southern. Sure, some people
believed his numbers were a bit inflated playing in the WAC. However,
his stock certainly has been proven and there’s no question Weeks was
one of the most prolific hitters in college baseball history. He batted
.422 and .495 his first two seasons before hitting .500 with 13
doubles, eight triples, 16 homers and 67 RBIs in his final season with
the Jaguars. He also walked 46 times and struck out on just 17
occasions. Additionally, Weeks slugged .987 and had a .619 on-base
percentage. Try besting those numbers, folks.
1. Dustin Ackley, North Carolina
There wasn’t a more exciting hitter to watch this decade. Each time
Ackley headed to the plate everyone expected something to happen. What
an amazing offensive career he had for the Tar Heels. Ackley batted
.402 with 10 homers and 74 RBIs as a freshman. He didn’t slow down as a
sophomore, hitting .417 with 21 doubles, seven homers and 51 RBIs. As a
junior last season, Ackley batted .417 with 18 doubles, four triples,
22 homers and 73 RBIs. He also earned Rivals.com National Player of the Years. It’ll be interesting to see how North
Carolina replaces the decade’s best hitter. His mark on the program
never will be forgotten.