Line Drive Lindor > Long Ball Lindor
(This was written Monday morning - over the past few days, Lindor has gotten HOT. VERY HOT. But this article, I think, still makes worthwhile points, so here goes....)
Just wondering...
Some think Francisco Lindor is in multi-season decline.
There was an article recently in a major publication discussing such.
And it's crossed my mind from time to time.
I wonder if that is true, though....
Or if all he needs is a course change.
Let's assume for a moment it is BALDERDASH.
He's in the peak of his prime, let's presume. If so...
His career, to me, seems to fall into 2 basic parts:
1) His first 2 MLB seasons, where he hit just 27 homers in 1,122 plate appearances, but hit a stellar .306 over those 2 seasons.
- He hit for average in those 2 years.
2) All the years since, when hit 137 HRs in 3,003 plate appearances, while hitting .256.
- He decided, I surmise, to be a long-ball hitter and end up in ESPN highlights. You see, frequent ESPN highlights = more notoriety = bigger contract. Mission accomplished.
His HR rate went from 2.4 per every 100 PAs in his first two seasons, to 4.6 HRs over every 100 PAs thereafter. Not that much more, frankly, but not trivial.
So, he has hit just 2 more HRs every 100 PAs over his past several seasons than he did in his first 2 seasons...
But dropped 50 points in the process.
So, I would think there is a ready solution to Lindor's Mets .233 career BA, which is a great lightning rod for criticism for the lad from the rabid dogs know as Mets fans.
STOP TRYING TO HIT HOMERS.
YOU'VE ALREADY GOT THE BIG CONTRACT.
YOU DON'T NEED TO HIT A LOT OF HOMERS HOPING FOR A BIGGER CONTRACT ANYMORE.
YOU'VE GOT ONE.
Just hit the ball - like you did at ages 21 and 22. Base hits.
It really worked back then. No, really, it REALLY worked.
Do it, and...
Your average will go up 50 points - and almost all the fans still on your back right now (some have gotten off, but some are still there) will get off your back - and cheer you.
They will have no other choice - you'll be....GREAT.
It seems the last several games that might be sinking in.
That's my advice for the day - take it or leave it. I accept all forms of health insurance, but cash for counseling is good, too.
If you do take the advice, resist the urge to switch back to the "Big Fly Swing" once you've hit your next HR or two.
Line Drive Lindor > Long Ball Lindor.
Emulate a Squirrel near you, and prosper.
If for no other reason than NY fans WANT to love you.
Before I go: White Sox IF Tim Anderson through Monday had just 5 extra base hits in May - but was hitting .397 in May. A model for Lindor to follow, since several years ago, Lindor was the better hitter of the two. Not anymore. He got enamored with the big fly, while Anderson didn't.
4 comments:
A number of Facebookers were posting about Lindor's high ranking in runs and RBIs. Very true, but must be viewed thru the prism of the type of stat. Runs and RBIs go up the more you play and Lindor plays every single game.
A stat like batting average is not based on frequency, so if Lindor took off 25% of the games, his .250 would be the same as if he played 100% of the games.
Another way to say it is give me the guy who drives in 90 runs over 100 games, than the guy who drives in 100 over 162. On second thought, though, give me both.
Brilliant advise - I hope he takes it.
If you keep getting on base, pitchers will pitch you more carefully, meaning that you will get ahead in counts more often. THEN hunt the fastball and drive it.
More hits, more RBIs, more cheers from the NY fans, more smiles. How can you pass up that opportunity?
One of the top hitting shortstops in the NL
RIGHT NOW
Lindor is getting it done. Stop trying to hit HRs, which he seems to be trying to do right now with recent success, he could still be the BEST SS in baseball, or at least top 3.
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