Look at their BB rates they are all very high. They all have pretty good OBP despite poor average. The top 7 also have excellent iSLG (isolated slugging is SLG - AVE -- that is a lot of their hits are for extra bases)
That's a good point. You are correct. I've replaced their batting averages below with OPS+. It's kinda like an IQ score where 100 is average, so all but one are better than average in their overall production/value as hitters. If your starting lineup had the OPS+ numbers of these guys, you'd probably lead the league in runs scored.
Another thing to consider, though, is that the pitches that you see is also dictated to some extent by the pitcher. A pitcher isn't going to throw Joe Mauer as many strikes as he throws a .220 shortstop with no power. So while Mauer is patient, so are the pitchers when facing him. Also, guys like Adam Dunn see fewer good pitches because of their power threat, but also because they swing and miss a lot. A good contact hitter may see fewer pitches because when he swings, he tends to make contact. I'd love to see the number of pitches that were taken (which would subtract swings and misses, foul balls, etc.)
116 – Mike Napoli
105 – Adam Dunn
154 - Jason Kipnis
137 - Mark Reynolds
108 – Josh Willingham
143 – Joe Mauer
125 – Jose Bautista
89 – Brian Dozier
112 – Brett Gardner
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