North Carolina’s Best Baseball Players

For a lot of people where we are from is a point of pride. When we meet someone who hales from the same place as us there is often a sense of comradery. Below is a list of the best players born in the state of North Carolina.

1. Gaylord Perry – Williamston, NC



• Age: 23 – 44
• Years: 1962 – 1983
• Pos: SP
• Team(s): San Francisco Giants, Cleveland Indians, Texas Rangers, San Diego Padres, New York Yankees, Atlanta Braves, Seattle Mariners, Kansas City Royals

Gaylord Perry

WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	ShO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
93.2	85	777	690	314	265	3.11	5350.1	303	53	11	2128	1846	1379	3534	16.1%	1.18

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2. Luke Appling – High Point, NC



• Age: 23 – 36, 38 – 43
• Years: 1930 – 1943, 1945 – 1950
• Pos: SS
• Team(s): Chicago White Sox

Luke Appling

WAR	wRC+	G	PA	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
74.4	115	2422	10243	8856	1319	2749	440	102	45	1116	179	108	1302	528	.310	.399	.398	.798

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3. Wes Ferrell – Greensboro, NC



• Age: 19 – 33
• Years: 1927 – 1941
• Pos: SP
• Team(s): Cleveland Indians, Boston Red Sox, Washington Senators, New York Yankees, Brooklyn Dodgers, Boston Braves

Wes Ferrell

WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	ShO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
49.0	87	374	323	193	128	4.04	2623	227	17	13	1382	1177	1040	985	8.5%	1.48

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4. Enos Slaughter – Roxboro, NC



• Age: 22 – 26, 30 – 43
• Years: 1938 – 1942, 1946 – 1959
• Pos: RF, LF
• Team(s): St. Louis Cardinals, New York Yankees, Kansas City Athletics, Milwaukee Braves

Enos Slaughter

WAR	wRC+	G	PA	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
55.5	126	2380	9084	7946	1247	2383	413	148	169	1304	71	15	1018	538	.300	.382	.453	.834

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5. Ryan Zimmerman – Washington, NC



• Age: 20 – 34
• Years: 2005 – 2019
• Pos: 3B, 1B
• Team(s): Washington Nationals

Ryan Zimmerman

WAR	wRC+	G	PA	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
37.8	116	1689	7129	6399	936	1784	401	22	270	1015	43	16	630	1307	.279	.343	.475	.818

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6. Mark Grace – Winston-Salem, NC



• Age: 24 – 39
• Years: 1988 – 2003
• Pos: 1B
• Team(s): Chicago Cubs, Arizona Diamondbacks

Mark Grace

WAR	wRC+	G	PA	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
46.2	120	2245	9290	8065	1179	2445	511	45	173	1146	70	48	1075	642	.303	.383	.442	.825

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7. Catfish Hunter – Hertford, NC



• Age: 19 – 33
• Years: 1965 – 1979
• Pos: SP
• Team(s): Kansas City Athletics, New York Yankees

Catfish Hunter

WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	ShO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
36.4	94	500	476	224	166	3.26	3449.1	181	42	1	1380	1248	954	2012	14.3%	1.13

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8. Josh Hamilton – Raleigh, NC



• Age: 26 – 34
• Years: 2007 – 2015
• Pos: CF, LF, RF
• Team(s): Cincinnati Reds, Texas Rangers, Los Angeles Angels

Josh Hamilton

WAR	wRC+	G	PA	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
28.3	127	1027	4350	3909	609	1134	234	24	200	701	50	16	352	938	.290	.349	.516	.865

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9. Jim Ray Hart – Hookerton, NC



• Age: 21 – 32
• Years: 1963 – 1974
• Pos: 3B, OF, LF
• Team(s): San Francisco Giants, New York Yankees

Jim Ray Hart

WAR	wRC+	G	PA	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
25.0	129	1125	4236	3783	518	1052	148	29	170	578	17	17	380	573	.278	.345	.467	.813

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10. Kyle Seager – Charlotte, NC



• Age: 23 – 31
• Years: 2011 – 2019
• Pos: 3B
• Team(s): Seattle Mariners

Kyle Seager

WAR	wRC+	G	PA	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
30.5	112	1261	5286	4755	597	1218	268	13	198	666	47	26	442	926	.256	.324	.443	.767

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11. Jim Perry – Williamston, NC



• Age: 23 – 39
• Years: 1959 – 1975
• Pos: SP
• Team(s): Cleveland Indians, Minnesota Twins, Detroit Tigers, Oakland Athletics

Jim Perry

WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	ShO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
38.6	94	630	447	215	174	3.45	3285.2	109	32	10	1407	1258	998	1575	11.5%	1.26

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12. Madison Bumgarner – Hickory, NC



• Age: 19 – 29
• Years: 2009 – 2019
• Pos: SP
• Team(s): San Francisco Giants

Madison Bumgarner

WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	ShO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
32.4	83	289	286	119	92	3.13	1846	15	6	0	703	642	428	1794	23.9%	1.11

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13. Brian Roberts – Durham, NC



• Age: 23 – 36
• Years: 2001 – 2014
• Pos: 2B
• Team(s): Baltimore Orioles, New York Yankees

Brian Roberts

WAR	wRC+	G	PA	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
30.4	101	1418	6253	5531	850	1527	367	39	97	542	285	73	609	844	.276	.347	.409	.756

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14. Max Lanier – Denton, NC



• Age: 22 – 30, 33 – 37
• Years: 1938 – 1946, 1949 – 1953
• Pos: SP
• Team(s): St. Louis Cardinals, New York Giants, St. Louis Browns

Max Lanier

WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	ShO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
30.3	79	327	204	108	82	3.01	1619.1	91	21	17	630	541	611	821	12.1%	1.30

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15. Kevin Millwood – Gastonia, NC



• Age: 22 – 37
• Years: 1997 – 2012
• Pos: SP
• Team(s): Atlanta Braves, Philadelphia Phillies, Cleveland Indians, Texas Rangers, Baltimore Orioles, Colorado Rockies, Seattle Mariners

Kevin Millwood

WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	ShO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
30.8	94	451	443	169	152	4.11	2720.1	22	6	0	1357	1243	843	2083	17.9%	1.33

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16. Smoky Burgess – Caroleen, NC



• Age: 22, 24 – 40
• Years: 1949, 1951 – 1967
• Pos: C
• Team(s): Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia Phillies, Cincinnati Reds, Pittsburgh Pirates, Chicago White Sox

Smoky Burgess

WAR	wRC+	G	PA	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
33.4	115	1691	5013	4471	485	1318	230	33	126	673	13	14	477	270	.295	.362	.446	.807

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17. Ray Durham – Charlotte, NC



• Age: 23 – 36
• Years: 1995 – 2008
• Pos: 2B
• Team(s): Chicago White Sox, Oakland Athletics, San Francisco Giants, Milwaukee Brewers

Ray Durham

WAR	wRC+	G	PA	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
33.8	105	1975	8423	7408	1249	2054	440	79	192	875	273	97	820	1201	.277	.352	.436	.788

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18. Corey Seager – Charlotte, NC



• Age: 21 – 25
• Years: 2015 – 2019
• Pos: SS
• Team(s): Los Angeles Dodgers

Corey Seager

WAR	wRC+	G	PA	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
17.8	128	489	2069	1854	302	545	130	8	73	266	10	5	190	398	.294	.362	.491	.853

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19. Alvin Crowder – Winston-Salem, NC



• Age: 27 – 37
• Years: 1926 – 1936
• Pos: SP
• Team(s): Washington Senators, St. Louis Browns, Detroit Tigers

Alvin Crowder

WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	ShO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
29.1	95	402	292	167	115	4.12	2344.1	150	16	22	1204	1072	800	799	7.9%	1.39

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20. Johnny Allen – Lenoir, NC



• Age: 27 – 39
• Years: 1932 – 1944
• Pos: SP
• Team(s): New York Yankees, Cleveland Indians, St. Louis Browns, Brooklyn Dodgers, New York Giants

Johnny Allen

WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	ShO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
27.9	89	352	241	142	75	3.75	1950.1	109	17	18	924	813	738	1070	12.9%	1.33

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21. Trot Nixon – Durham, NC



• Age: 22, 24 – 34
• Years: 1996, 1998 – 2008
• Pos: RF
• Team(s): Boston Red Sox, Cleveland Indians, New York Mets

Trot Nixon

WAR	wRC+	G	PA	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
21.3	115	1092	4224	3627	579	995	222	28	137	555	30	13	504	689	.274	.364	.464	.828

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22. Brandon Phillips – Raleigh, NC



• Age: 21 – 37
• Years: 2002 – 2018
• Pos: 2B
• Team(s): Cleveland Indians, Cincinnati Reds, Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Angels, Boston Red Sox

Brandon Phillips

WAR	wRC+	G	PA	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
31.1	95	1902	7992	7378	1005	2029	368	35	211	951	209	84	420	1092	.275	.320	.420	.740

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23. Hoyt Wilhelm – Huntersville, NC



• Age: 29 – 49
• Years: 1952 – 1972
• Pos: RP
• Team(s): New York Giants, St. Louis Cardinals, Cleveland Indians, Baltimore Orioles, Chicago White Sox, California Angels, Atlanta Braves, Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Dodgers

Hoyt Wilhelm

WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	ShO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
49.9	68	1070	52	143	122	2.52	2254.1	20	5	227	773	632	778	1610	17.6%	1.12

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24. Buddy Lewis – Gaston County, NC



• Age: 18 – 24, 28 – 30, 32
• Years: 1935 – 1941, 1945 – 1947, 1949
• Pos: 3B, OF
• Team(s): Washington Senators

Buddy Lewis

WAR	wRC+	G	PA	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
26.7	110	1349	5937	5261	830	1563	249	93	71	607	83	59	573	303	.297	.368	.420	.789

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25. Tom Zachary – Graham, NC



• Age: 22 – 40
• Years: 1918 – 1936
• Pos: SP
• Team(s): Philadelphia Athletics, Washington Senators, St. Louis Browns, New York Yankees, Boston Braves, Brooklyn Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillies

Tom Zachary

WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	ShO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
37.6	95	533	409	186	191	3.73	3126.1	186	24	22	1552	1295	914	720	5.3%	1.44

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26. Lee Meadows – Oxford, NC



• Age: 20 – 34
• Years: 1915 – 1929
• Pos: SP
• Team(s): St. Louis Cardinals, Philadelphia Phillies, Pittsburgh Pirates

Lee Meadows

WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	ShO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
31.3	96	490	406	188	180	3.37	3160.2	219	25	7	1491	1185	956	1063	7.8%	1.34

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27. Mike Caldwell – Tarboro, NC



• Age: 22 – 35
• Years: 1971 – 1984
• Pos: SP
• Team(s): San Diego Padres, San Francisco Giants, Cincinnati Reds, Milwaukee Brewers

Mike Caldwell

WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	ShO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
18.9	101	475	307	137	130	3.81	2409	98	23	18	1183	1021	597	939	9.3%	1.32

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28. George Suggs – Kinston, NC



• Age: 25 – 32
• Years: 1908 – 1915
• Pos: SP
• Team(s): Detroit Tigers, Cincinnati Reds, Baltimore Orioles

George Suggs

WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	ShO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
20.2	97	245	185	99	91	3.11	1652	115	16	17	720	571	355	588		1.26

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29. Billy Goodman – Concord, NC



• Age: 21 – 36
• Years: 1947 – 1962
• Pos: 2B, 1B, 3B, OF
• Team(s): Boston Red Sox, Baltimore Orioles, Chicago White Sox, Houston Colt .45’S

Billy Goodman

WAR	wRC+	G	PA	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
27	101	1623	6446	5644	807	1691	299	44	19	591	37	30	669	329	.300	.376	.378	.754

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30. Jimmie Hall – Mount Holly, NC



• Age: 25 – 32
• Years: 1963 – 1970
• Pos: CF, LF, RF
• Team(s): Minnesota Twins, California Angels, Cleveland Indians, New York Yankees, Chicago Cubs, Atlanta Braves

Jimmie Hall

WAR	wRC+	G	PA	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
13.7	111	963	3169	2848	387	724	100	24	121	391	38	18	287	529	.254	.321	.434	.755

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31. Vic Sorrell – Morrisville, NC



• Age: 27 – 36
• Years: 1928 – 1937
• Pos: SP
• Team(s): Detroit Tigers

Vic Sorrell

WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	ShO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
20.3	99	280	216	92	101	4.43	1671.2	95	8	10	949	823	706	619	8.4%	1.51

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32. Rick Ferrell – Durham, NC



• Age: 23 – 39, 41
• Years: 1929 – 1945, 1947
• Pos: C
• Team(s): St. Louis Browns, Boston Red Sox, Washington Senators

Rick Ferrell

WAR	wRC+	G	PA	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
33.7	98	1884	7072	6028	687	1692	324	45	28	734	29	35	931	277	.281	.378	.363	.741

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33. Whitey Lockman – Lowell, NC



• Age: 18, 20 – 33
• Years: 1945, 1947 – 1960
• Pos: 1B, OF, LF
• Team(s): New York / San Francisco Giants, St. Louis Cardinals, Baltimore Orioles, Cincinnati Reds

Whitey Lockman

WAR	wRC+	G	PA	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
18.1	96	1666	6590	5940	836	1658	222	49	114	563	43	27	552	383	.279	.342	.391	.732

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34. Jim Bibby – Franklinton, NC



• Age: 27 – 36, 38 – 39
• Years: 1972 – 1981, 1983 – 1984
• Pos: SP
• Team(s): St. Louis Cardinals, Texas Rangers, Cleveland Indians, Pittsburgh Pirates

Jim Bibby

WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	ShO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
18.6	101	340	239	111	101	3.75	1722.2	56	19	8	800	718	723	1079	14.8%	1.33

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