Best MLB Players of 1896, Ranked by NUT
1896 seasonEd Delahanty (PHI) was the most productive hitter in MLB in 1896 by NUT at +5.8, and Cy Young (CLE) the most productive pitcher at +3.7.
4 of 161 qualified hitters and 1 of 75 qualified pitchers graded S for the season.
Baltimore Orioles (90-39) had both the best record and the highest team NUT at +18.3.
19th century. Short schedules, rule changes nearly every year, pitchers throwing from 50 feet until 1893.
Best by league
League by the player's final club. By NUT, not award voting.
Top 10 hitters and pitchers
| # | Player | NUT | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ed DelahantyPHI · X | +5.8 | |
| 2 | Joe KelleyBAL · X | +5.0 | |
| 3 | Jesse BurkettCLE · X | +5.0 | |
| 4 | Bill JoyceWAS · 3B | +4.6 | |
| 5 | Billy HamiltonBSN · X | +4.4 | |
| 6 | Hughie JenningsBAL · SS | +4.2 | |
| 7 | Mike TiernanNYG · X | +4.1 | |
| 8 | Elmer SmithPIT · X | +3.7 | |
| 9 | Cupid ChildsCLE · 2B | +3.4 | |
| 10 | Bill DahlenCHC · SS | +3.2 |
| # | Player | NUT | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cy YoungCLE · P | +3.7 | |
| 2 | Frank KillenPIT · P | +2.2 | |
| 3 | Clark GriffithCHC · P | +1.9 | |
| 4 | Nig CuppyCLE · P | +1.8 | |
| 5 | Bill HofferBAL · P | +1.6 | |
| 6 | Dad ClarkeNYG · P | +1.6 | |
| 7 | Arlie PondBAL · P | +1.3 | |
| 8 | Harley PayneBRO · P | +1.0 | |
| 9 | Frank DwyerCIN · P | +1.0 | |
| 10 | Red EhretCIN · P | +0.9 |
All 12 teams by NUT
| # | Team | W-L | Hit | Pitch | NUT | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | BAL | 90-39 | +14.1 | +4.1 | +18.3 | S |
| 2 | CLE | 80-48 | +1.4 | +6.0 | +7.4 | B |
| 3 | PHI | 62-68 | +5.0 | -1.6 | +3.4 | C |
| 4 | PIT | 66-63 | +0.5 | +2.9 | +3.4 | C |
| 5 | WAS | 58-73 | +2.3 | +0.4 | +2.7 | C |
| 6 | NYG | 64-67 | +0.1 | +0.2 | +0.4 | C |
| 7 | CIN | 77-50 | -0.9 | +1.0 | +0.2 | C |
| 8 | BSN | 74-57 | +1.9 | -1.9 | +0.0 | C |
| 9 | CHC | 71-57 | +0.1 | -0.7 | -0.6 | D |
| 10 | BRO | 58-73 | -4.7 | -0.5 | -5.2 | F |
| 11 | LOU | 38-93 | -8.9 | -5.5 | -14.4 | F |
| 12 | STL | 40-90 | -14.5 | -2.0 | -16.5 | F |
How the 1896 season is ranked
Season NUT is one number for production against that season's league average. 0.0 is league average; defense is left out. Players need 100 plate appearances or 25 innings to qualify. Team NUT is the sum of its qualified players. Seasons before 1901 ran 60 to 140 games, so values sit lower than in a 162-game season.