Prospectus Q&A

Rob Deer

by David Laurila

Russell Branyan and Jack Cust are challenging his legacy, but until their career stat lines are finalized, Rob Deer reigns as the king of Three True Outcomes. With 230 home runs, 575 walks, and 1,409 strikeouts in 4,512 plate appearances, Deer has a TTO rate of 49.7, a percentage unmatched in big-league history. A legendary slugger in multiple statistical categories, Deer hit .220/.324/.442 in a career which saw him strike out once every 2.75 at-bats—also a big-league record among retired players—and register the lowest batting average of any outfielder with over 2,000 at-bats. Despite the negatives, Deer did three things well: propel majestic home runs, draw walks, and play a well-above-average right field. A minor league hitting coordinator in the Padres' organization for seven years after his playing days, Deer currently runs his own business, Vizubat. Deer talked about his time in the game, including notable teammates, his unique standing in historic annals, and a memorable home run on Easter Sunday.

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David Laurila: Among players with over 1,500 at-bats, you're first all time in Three True Outcomes. What are your thoughts on that?

Rob Deer: Because of the game now, with so many statistical analyses, and so many different numbers—people come up with so many different stats—there are times when I look at things, and hear things, and it's just very interesting. When I look back at my career, people talk about home runs and strikeouts, or RBI, and when you have different ideas... I've read columns and books where people have come up with different statistics, and I think I'm near the top of categories that I never thought would have existed. So to know that I'm first in [Three True Outcomes] is pretty cool.

DL: In a more general sense, how do you view the career you had in the big leagues?

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