COMMON SENSE AND THE "PRODUCTIVE" OUT

people smarter than i have argued against this "stat" and people i'd assume at least as smart as me have argued for it. this argument comes down to this: there is only one instance when an out would even be on par with the production of a hit: less than to out, man on third, sacrifice fly/hit. there is no other instance when any right thinking individual would prefer an out to a hit. how can an out be productive when it is an inferior outcome?