David Ortiz: Stats after 25 games = .208 batting average (20 hits in 96 at bats), 7 doubles, 1 triple, 10 runs scored, 12 runs batted in and 0 home runs.
This is the longest home run drought in Papi's career. The cause for these struggles can be any number of different factors; old age, wrist, no Manny, trying too hard. Whatever the reason, the fact remains that Big Papi is not the hitter he once was. Take a look at his strikeout to walk ratio. This year he has walked 12 times and strikeout nearly twice as many (23). In past years with the Sox Ortiz has managed this ratio far better.
2008 -- 70 BB/ 74K
2007 -- 111/103
2006 -- 119/117
2005 -- 102/124
2004 -- 75/133
2003 -- 58/83
These numbers make it clear that he is not comfortable in the batter's box. A big part of this is the fact that Ortiz is not catching up to fastballs. The inability to hit a pitcher's fastball causes a player to try and gear up for that pitch. When the pitcher throws something off speed, Ortiz is so out in front and off balance he has no chance in driving the baseball.
Terry Francona recently stated that the Sox line up is set. With the way Youkilis and Bay are swinging the bat a change makes sense. Francona is known as a loyal manager to his veteran players. At this pace, sooner or later a change will have to come.
2 comments:
Do you think Francona is waiting for interleague play as a reason to sit the big guy and change things up?
I think Francona is extremely loyal to his guys. Considering his lack of options, he really has no choice but to play a struggling Ortiz. The hope is by interleague play Ortiz is swinging the bat well.
BTW ... #34 has swung it better of late. Maybe our questioning his abilities has jump started him.
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