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Where does Micah Owings rank among the top hitting pitchers of the last 20 years?

Pitchers aren't supposed to hit. Former Giants hurler Ron Herbel may be the quintessential example with six base knocks and 125 strikeouts in 227 career plate appearances (.029 AVG), but baseball history is littered with hurlers who struggled mightily at the plate.

There are also, of course, exceptions to the rule. Babe Ruth, who would have turned 118 on Wednesday, moved from the mound to the outfield so he could mash full time. Rick Ankiel made a similar transition in 2005 and Micah Owings will try to make the Nationals as a first baseman this spring.

Let's take a look back at seven of the best hitting pitchers from the past 20 seasons:


7. Livan Hernandez: .221 AVG, 10 HR, .526 OPS in 973 ABs, 1 Silver Slugger

6. Yovani Gallardo: .207 AVG, 10 HR, .599 OPS in 305 ABs

5. Omar Olivares: .240 AVG, 5 HR, .608 OPS in 242 ABs

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4. Dontrelle Willis: .244 AVG, 9 HR, .665 OPS in 389 ABs


3. Mike Hampton: .246 AVG, 16 HR, .650 OPS in 725 ABs, 5 Silver Sluggers


2. Carlos Zambrano:  .238 AVG, 24 HR .636 OPS in 693 ABs, 3 Silver Slugger Awards


1. Micah Owings: .283 AVG, 9 HR, .813 OPS in 205 ABs, 1 Silver Slugger

-- Matt Monagan / MLB.com