Carlos Santana is drawing walks at an historic rate

Carlos Santana has never hit for a high average for the Indians, but he's got solid pop, especially for a catcher (which is where Santana has played in roughly two-thirds of his games this season and throughout his career). Since he debuted in 2010, no other catcher has as many extra-base hits as Carlos (180). Even more than his power though, what's set Santana apart from others at the position, and put him in rare company among all players, is his ability to draw a walk. There are 178 players with at least 1,500 plate appearances from 2010-2013, only Joey Votto and Jose Bautista have drawn walks at a higher clip than Santana.

Yesterday Santana drew the 300th walk of his career (and the 301st). This is only his 4th season, and it was just his 474th game played. Few players have ever walked so many times so early in their career. How many players in history have walked 300+ times in their first 4 seasons? Including Santana, only 27.

Most walks in first four seasons:

Santana could climb as high as 21st on that list by the time this season ends. I included the team(s) and position(s) for each player, and you may notice that Santana is the only Indian on the list, and the only catcher. He is the 'fastest' ever in either of those categories to reach 300 walks.

Most walks in first four seasons (Indians):

Most walks in first four seasons (catchers):

It's also worth pointing out that because of his June call up and an ugly injury in early August that prematurely ended Santana's rookie season, he played in only 46 games in 2010. Most of the players ahead of Carlos in terms of walks during their first four seasons played in more games than he has. As I said, Santana drew his 300th walk in his 474th game. Where does that place him? Baseball-Reference's play index allows me to research that sort of thing going back as far as 1916:

Fewest Games to Walk #300 (1916-2013):

I always find it odd, that so many Indians fans seem frustrated with Santana as a hitter. I don't know if they're caught up on a mediocre batting average, or disappointed that he doesn't hit 35 home runs a year, or what. The fact is, he's an elite offensive player among catchers, and a very good one even if viewed as a first baseman or designated hitter.