Putout Explained

In baseball statistics, a putout (PO) is awarded to a defensive player who (generally while in secure possession of the ball) records an out by one of the following methods:

• Tagging a runner with the ball when he is not touching a base (a tagout)
• Catching a batted or thrown ball and tagging a base to put out a batter or runner (a force out, or if done after a flyout, a doubling off)
• Catching a thrown ball and tagging a base to record an out on an appeal play
• Catching a third strike (a strikeout)
• Catching a batted ball on the fly (a flyout)
• Being positioned closest to a runner called out for interference

In a regulation nine-inning game, the winning team will always have a total of 27 putouts, as one putout is awarded for every defensive out made; this is one aspect of proving a box score.

While the abbreviation for putout is "PO",^[1] baseball scorekeeping typically records the specific manner in which an out was achieved, without explicitly noting which player is awarded the putout for common plays. For example, a strikeout is recorded without noting the putout by the catcher, with additional detail only provided as needed. For example, "Fryman struck out (catcher to first)"^[2] in a play-by-play summary in reference to an out recorded following an uncaught third strike, which indicates the putout was credited to the first baseman rather than the catcher.

All-time records

Content in this section has been updated through completion of the 2022 major-league season.

Career records

See main article: List of Major League Baseball career putouts leaders.

1. Jake Beckley: 23,767 (1888–1907)
2. Cap Anson: 22,572 (1871–1897)
3. Ed Konetchy: 21,378 (1907–1921)
4. Eddie Murray: 21,265 (1977–1997)
5. Charlie Grimm: 20,722 (1916–1936)
6. Stuffy McInnis: 20,120 (1909–1927)
7. Mickey Vernon: 19,819 (1939–1960)
8. Jake Daubert: 19,634 (1910–1924)
9. Lou Gehrig: 19,525 (1923–1939)
10. Joe Kuhel: 19,386 (1930–1947)

Note: each of the above players was primarily a first baseman.
Note: entering the season, Joey Votto has the most putouts among active MLB players, with 14,440.
Source:^[3]

Single season records

The most putouts recorded by any player in a single major-league season is 1,846 by Jiggs Donahue, a first baseman with the 1907 Chicago White Sox.^[4]

Pitchers

Source:^[5]

Catchers

Source:^[6]

Note: as the majority of putouts by catchers occur on strikeouts, most single-season putout records for catchers have occurred in recent seasons (excepting the shortened season), consistent with the increase in total strikeouts per MLB season (for example; 42,104 in 2021 compared to 34,489 in 2011).^[7]

First basemen

Source:^[8]

Second basemen

Source:^[9]

Third basemen

Source:^[10]

Shortstops

Source:^[11]

Left fielders

Source:^[12]

Center fielders

Source:^[13]

Right fielders

Source:^[14]

See also

• Assist (baseball)

References

1. Web site: Putout (PO) . MLB.com . March 19, 2023.
2. Web site: Boston Red Sox 4, Detroit Tigers 0 . . September 18, 1996 . March 19, 2023.
3. Web site: Career Leaders & Records for Putouts . . March 18, 2023.
4. Web site: Single-Season Leaders & Records for Putouts . . March 18, 2023.
5. Web site: Single-Season Leaders & Records for Putouts as P . . March 18, 2023.
6. Web site: Single-Season Leaders & Records for Putouts as C . . March 18, 2023.
7. Web site: MLB League Totals for Strikeouts . . March 19, 2023.
8. Web site: Single-Season Leaders & Records for Putouts as 1B . . March 18, 2023.
9. Web site: Single-Season Leaders & Records for Putouts as 2B . . March 18, 2023.
10. Web site: Single-Season Leaders & Records for Putouts as 3B . . March 18, 2023.
11. Web site: Single-Season Leaders & Records for Putouts as SS . . March 18, 2023.
12. Web site: Single-Season Leaders & Records for Putouts as LF . . March 18, 2023.
13. Web site: Single-Season Leaders & Records for Putouts as CF . . March 18, 2023.
14. Web site: Single-Season Leaders & Records for Putouts as RF . . March 18, 2023.