Last Updated: June 17th, 2026 by Michael Schatz
From the mound to the batter’s box, these legendary pitchers proved they were more than just one-dimensional players. While most pitchers are considered easy outs, these 12 athletes dominated both on the mound and at the plate, changing baseball history forever.
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1. Babe Ruth: The Ultimate Two-Way Player
Before becoming baseball’s greatest slugger, Ruth dominated as a Red Sox pitcher with an 89-46 record and 2.28 ERA. His .304 batting average and 14 home runs as a pitcher foreshadowed his legendary hitting career. In 1916, he led the American League with a remarkable 1.75 ERA, proving his excellence on both sides of the game.
2. Wes Ferrell: Baseball’s Most Prolific Hitting Pitcher
Ferrell holds the record for most home runs by a pitcher with 38, batting an impressive .280 lifetime. His dual-threat capabilities made him a valuable pinch-hitter, and his best season came in 1935 when he hit .347 with seven home runs, showcasing unprecedented offensive prowess for a pitcher.
3. Red Ruffing: The Hall of Fame Slugger-Pitcher
A Hall of Fame pitcher with a .269 lifetime average and 36 home runs, Ruffing was a consistent threat at the plate. Used as a pinch-hitter 173 times, he demonstrated his batting prowess in 1936 with a .310 average, four home runs, and 21 RBIs.
4. Bob Gibson: The Intimidator Who Could Hit
Gibson wasn’t just intimidating on the mound; he was dangerous at the plate too. With a .206 lifetime average, 24 home runs, and 144 RBIs, he earned nine Gold Glove Awards. His athletic ability made him valuable as a pinch-runner, and in 1965 he hit .240 with five home runs.
5. Don Newcombe: The MVP Pitcher-Hitter
“Newk” excelled with a .271 lifetime average and 15 home runs. The 1956 NL MVP and Cy Young winner was so skilled at batting that he occasionally played outfield. His most impressive hitting season came in 1955, batting an outstanding .359 with seven home runs.
6. Walter Johnson: The Big Train’s Big Bat
“The Big Train” combined pitching excellence with impressive hitting, batting .235 with 24 home runs and 255 RBIs. His power was remarkable during the dead-ball era, and he still holds the record for most RBIs by a pitcher in MLB history.
7. Ken Brett: The Brett Family Slugger
George Brett’s older brother was the premier hitting pitcher of his era, maintaining a .262 lifetime average. He set a record with homers in four consecutive starts in 1973 and hit .310 in 1974, earning frequent pinch-hitting opportunities.
8. Warren Spahn: The Home Run King of Pitchers
The winningest left-handed pitcher in MLB history hit .194 with 35 home runs, second-most by any pitcher. His best offensive season came in 1958 when he hit an impressive .333 with two home runs.
9. Mike Hampton: Modern Era’s Silver Slugger
Hampton dominated modern-era pitcher hitting with a .246 average and 16 home runs. He claimed five Silver Slugger Awards and hit .311 in 2002. His power peaked in 2001 with the Rockies, batting .291 with seven home runs.
10. Carlos Zambrano: Big Z’s Big Bat
“Big Z” excelled at the plate with a .238 average and 24 home runs, including six in 2006. His three Silver Slugger Awards and frequent pinch-hitting appearances proved his value as a hitter in the modern era.
11. Earl Wilson: The Power-Hitting Pioneer
Wilson combined power hitting with historic achievements, hitting .195 with 35 home runs. He made history as the first African-American pitcher to throw a no-hitter in the American League while also hitting a home run in the same game in 1962.
12. Don Drysdale: The Hall of Fame Heavy Hitter
The Hall of Fame pitcher maintained a .186 average with 29 home runs and 113 RBIs throughout his career. Known for his aggressive approach both on the mound and at the plate, Drysdale’s power hitting made him a constant threat in the lineup.