What is an RBI Groundout? Definition and Examples
An RBI groundout is a ground ball hit by the batter that results in an out but still allows a runner on third base to score, credited as a run batted in under MLB Rule 9.04.
What is an RBI Groundout?
An RBI groundout is a plate appearance in which the batter hits a ground ball that becomes an out — typically at first base — but the out is recorded after a runner on third base crosses home plate. The batter is credited with a run batted in (RBI) even though he made an out. This is one of the most efficient ways to score a run from third base with fewer than two outs, and it is a fundamental situational-hitting skill.
How is an RBI Groundout Measured?
The official scorer credits an RBI under MLB Rule 9.04 when a run scores as a result of a groundout. The criteria are:
- The batter hits a ground ball
- The ball is fielded and thrown to first base for the out
- A runner on third scores before the tag or force at first is completed
The RBI is credited even if the throw to first is late (a fielder's choice) as long as the runner scores. If the defense chooses to throw home instead of first, the play is scored as a fielder's choice, and the batter is not credited with an RBI unless the runner scores AND the batter reaches first safely.
Statcast tracks "productive outs" — outs that advance runners or score runs. An RBI groundout is the most valuable type of productive out because it directly adds a run to the scoreboard.
Worked Example
In Game 5 of the 2024 World Series, New York Yankees outfielder Juan Soto came to bat with runners on first and third and one out. Soto hit a ground ball to the right side at 92 mph with a 6-degree launch angle. The second baseman fielded it and threw to first for the out, but the runner on third scored easily. Soto was credited with an RBI groundout, and the Yankees took a 1-0 lead.
The exit velocity was high enough that the fielder had no play at home — the runner was going on contact. This is the ideal execution: a hard ground ball to the right side, where the fielder is forced to take the out at first.
Why It Matters
RBI groundouts matter for several reasons:
- Situational hitting: Teams value hitters who can execute a "sacrifice grounder" — moving the runner from third with fewer than two outs. A ground ball to the right side is the preferred outcome because it scores the run.
- Run expectancy: With a runner on third and one out, the run expectancy is roughly 0.85 runs. An RBI groundout converts that into an actual run, which is a positive outcome for the offense.
- Player evaluation: RBI totals are situational and team-dependent, but RBI groundouts specifically show a hitter's ability to put the ball in play on the ground when needed. Hitters who hit too many fly balls in these situations strand the runner.
- Fantasy baseball: RBI groundouts count as RBIs in fantasy scoring. A hitter who bats behind a high-OBP leadoff hitter will accumulate more RBI groundouts simply by having more opportunities.
Limitations and Common Misconceptions
The biggest misconception is that an RBI groundout is a "failure" because the batter made an out. In reality, scoring a run with an out is a positive outcome — the offense trades an out for a run, which is almost always a good trade.
Another misconception: an RBI groundout is the same as a sacrifice fly. They are different. A sacrifice fly is a fly ball caught by an outfielder, and the batter is not charged with an at-bat. An RBI groundout counts as an at-bat and lowers the batter's batting average. The sacrifice fly is a "free" out; the groundout costs the hitter average.
RBI groundouts are also not a repeatable skill in the same way as power or contact. A hitter can control his ground ball rate and his tendency to hit to the right side, but whether a runner scores depends on the runner's speed, the defense's positioning, and the score of the game.
Related Terms
In Legends Deck
In Legends Deck, RBI groundouts are a function of a card's Contact rating and its "situational hitting" attribute — a hidden rating that increases the probability of productive outs. A card with high Contact but low Power will generate RBI groundouts more often than a power hitter, especially with runners on third and fewer than two outs. When evaluating a middle-of-the-order card, check its Contact rating: a high-Contact card is more likely to drive in runs via groundouts, while a low-Contact slugger is more likely to strike out or hit a fly ball.