Hit By PitchHBP

HBP stands for hit by pitch in baseball. Times a pitch struck the batter and he was awarded first base.

How HBP is calculated

Counted. Not an at-bat; it counts toward on-base percentage like a walk.

A batter who does not try to avoid the pitch, or swings at it, is not awarded the base. Leaders often crowd the plate, which is why the same few hitters top this list year after year.

What counts as a good HBP?

Half of the 227 qualified MLB players in 2026 were at or below 5. Clearing 12 put a season in the top tenth of the league.

Median: 5
Top 10%: 12
Leader: 30

By position, the median was 6 for CF, 6 for DH, 6 for 2B, 6 for RF, 5 for SS and 5 for 3B.

Qualified: 300+ AB, non-zero, 2026 regular season.