In baseball statistics, a player is credited with a plate appearance (denoted by PA) each time he completes a turn batting. A player completes a turn batting when: he strikes out or is declared out before reaching first base; or he reaches first base safely or is awarded first base (by a base on balls, hit by pitch, or catcher's interference); or he hits a fair ball which causes a preceding runner to be put out for the third out before he himself is put out or reaches first base safely (see also left on base, fielder's choice, force play). In other words, a plate appearance ends when the batter is put out, the inning ends, or he becomes a runner. A related statistic, at bats, counts a subset of plate appearances that end under certain circumstances.

Pete Rose is the all-time leader with 15,890 career plate appearances. Rose is the only player in MLB history to surpass 14,000 and 15,000 career plate appearances. Carl Yastrzemski (13,992), Hank Aaron (13,941), Rickey Henderson (13,346), Ty Cobb (13,103), and Albert Pujols (13,041) are the only other players to surpass 13,000 career plate appearances.

As of September 27, 2026, there is only one active player in the top 100 for career plate appearances. Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman is the active leader in career plate appearances and 86th overall with 10,020.

Key Rank Among leaders in career plate appearances. A blank field indicates a tie. Player (2026 PAs) Plate appearances in 2026. PA Career plate appearances.*Elected to National Baseball Hall of Fame.BoldActive player.A player is considered inactive if he has announced his retirement or has not played for a full season.

List

Stats updated of September 27, 2026. RankPlayer (2026 PAs)PA1Pete Rose15,8902Carl Yastrzemski* 13,9923Hank Aaron* 13,9414Rickey Henderson* 13,3465Ty Cobb* 13,1036Albert Pujols13,0417Cal Ripken Jr.* 12,8838Eddie Murray* 12,8179Stan Musial* 12,72110Barry Bonds12,60611Derek Jeter* 12,60212Willie Mays* 12,54513Craig Biggio* 12,50414Dave Winfield* 12,35815Robin Yount* 12,24916Alex Rodriguez12,20717Paul Molitor* 12,16718Adrián Beltré*12,13019Eddie Collins* 12,08720Rafael Palmeiro12,04621Tris Speaker* 12,02022Omar Vizquel12,01323Miguel Cabrera11,79624Brooks Robinson*11,78225Honus Wagner*11,75626Frank Robinson*11,74427George Brett*11,62528Al Kaline* 11,59729Reggie Jackson* 11,41830Mel Ott* 11,34731Cap Anson* 11,33132Joe Morgan* 11,32933Ken Griffey Jr.* 11,30434Rabbit Maranville* 11,26035Lou Brock*11,24036Luis Aparicio* 11,23137Rusty Staub11,22938Harold Baines* 11,09239Carlos Beltrán*11,03140Gary Sheffield10,94741Johnny Damon10,91742Tony Pérez* 10,86143Ozzie Smith* 10,77844Max Carey* 10,77245Andre Dawson* 10,76946Paul Waner* 10,76747Wade Boggs* 10,74048Darrell Evans10,73749Ichiro Suzuki*10,73450Babe Ruth* 10,626 RankPlayer (2026 PAs)PA51Sam Crawford* 10,62552Chipper Jones* 10,61453Dwight Evans10,56954Rod Carew* 10,55055Luis Gonzalez10,53156Billy Williams* 10,51957Jake Beckley* 10,51858Nap Lajoie* 10,46859Steve Finley10,46060Bill Dahlen10,42961Vada Pinson10,40562Roberto Alomar* 10,40063Ernie Banks* 10,39664Tim Raines* 10,35965Nellie Fox* 10,35166Jim Thome* 10,31367Harry Hooper* 10,27768Iván Rodríguez* 10,27069Sam Rice* 10,26070Luke Appling* 10,25471Charlie Gehringer* 10,24572Jimmy Rollins10,24073Tony Gwynn* 10,23274Graig Nettles10,22875Roberto Clemente* 10,21276George Davis* 10,18677Dave Parker*10,18478Fred McGriff*10,17479Frankie Frisch* 10,101Eddie Mathews* 10,10181David Ortiz* 10,09182Bobby Abreu10,08183Frank Thomas* 10,07584Mike Schmidt* 10,06285Bill Buckner10,03786Freddie Freeman (657)10,02087Buddy Bell10,00988Zack Wheat* 10,00789Chili Davis9,99790Lou Whitaker9,96791Doc Cramer9,93492Mickey Mantle* 9,91093Sammy Sosa9,89693Fred Clarke* 9,87195Carlton Fisk* 9,85396Mickey Vernon9,83997Harmon Killebrew* 9,83398Goose Goslin* 9,83099Willie Davis9,822100Gary Gaetti9,817

Notes

References

External links

MLB official list