Francisco Lindor is off to a poor start, as he has a 55 OPS+ after 105 PA. Most people are focusing on his troubles as a LHB, as he has an .810 OPS batting righty, compared to a .459 mark as a lefty. But the thing that has been constant regardless of which side of the plate that he’s hitting from is Lindor’s lousy results versus breaking balls. Here are his results broken down by pitch type:
vs. curves — 1-12
vs. sliders – 2-17
v – sweepers – 0-2
Total: 3-31
Interestingly, Brandon Webb did not attack Lindor with breaking balls Tuesday night, throwing just one sweeper in 12 pitches. Instead, his primary pitch versus Lindor was the change, which he threw nine times, including the last six in a row. Lindor swung and missed on the change four times and went down swinging twice on the offering. He’s now 3-15 against changeups.
Until he can hit something besides the fastball, it’s going to be tough sledding for Lindor.
It’s the hitting ,boys! Let’s hope Martinez is still a solid ML hitter and can bat fifth. Let’s hope Baty is a decent Ml hitter who can lengthen the order. They need to consistently score 4+ runs a game to be a playoff team.
I’m a little concerned about how few games and PAs JDM has gotten in the minors We were told he was going for 10 games, then Mendoza even said 10 to15 days. JDM then spent the first few (5?) days in training camp before starting that rehab.
All told, he’s played only 4 games and 21 total ABs. Those were split between low-A and AAA, and broken up by a nearly 2-week layoff in between. I don’t imagine thats enough to get ready for an MLB season that has been under way for nearly a month now. It wouldn’t surprised me to see him hit a HR his first day back, then slump for a week or two before finding his groove.
I’m still skeptical about Baty. What I’m now wondering/concerned about is what the contingency plan might be.
Vientos has played 13 games at 3B in the minors, including five of the last six. Have to believe he’s still the contingency plan. For this year, at least.
OK Lindor, Nimmo, McNeil, and Alonso……….pay attention to Woodrow!*
And who have thought that it ‘s Marte that has been the surprising hitting component of this lineup, instead of the dead hole has been that many of us thought, going into the season. Kudos also for Baty for at least holding his own with the big boys this time around. And since not much has been expected from Bader offensively, kudos also for you.
*You too Alvarez, when you get back from the IL.
Lindor listened! Thanks for telling him!
Some good news in Saturday’s minor league games:
Brooklyn: Clifford starting to hit (now up to .789 OPS after a slow start); McLean a future starter/DH? (.946 OPS); Sproat a top prospect as a SP? (5 innings, 0 ER, 1.23 ERA).
St. Lucie: Morabito (CF; 1.023 OPS); Vargas off the IL.
Binghamton: Ramirez (CF; .905 OPS).
Syracuse: Rained out. Vientos called up and looked good against a 100 mph heater in the 9th inning! Baty is cooling off (again), with an OPS down to .626 and hardhit and pull percentages below the ML averages. Will Vientos play 3B more and more?