Entering Tuesday, Jacoby Ellsbury had a twenty game hit streak.
Now however, it sits at 21 games.
But even during a stretch where Ellsbury has been red-hot, the power is not really showing.
Ells has hit .330/.365/.418 during the first 20 games of the chase for Dimaggio. And over a stretch where a player has a hit in each and every game, the Slugging % should probably be higher than what it has been. And that Slugging is an unimpressive .418.
Now Jacoby doesn’t have to hit 25 home runs to be an effective big-leaguer. He just needs to play good defense at an up-the-middle position, get on base, and steal some bags while on…without getting caught much of course.
It just seems like maybe the power should be a little more, well, powerful over a twenty game hitting streak. These streaks are examples of cherry-picking at its best. However, they generally contain a player doing very well within the streak itself. And Ellsbury has been effective, and has reached base a good amount of the time.
I am just concerned that he will ever develop any kind of power. Although, watching tonight, he definitely showed some pop in that bat, hitting a few balls well, that turned into outs (in addition to the two actual hits that he had of course).
With the potential to win a “Fielding Bible” Award, or two (Gold Gloves if you prefer), the awesome ability on the basepaths, and the ability to hit for average, what is the minimum power supply that we need from Ellsbury to live up to expectations?
Curious as to what you all think. Expressing it in the form of Slugging % would be most relevant.
Loading ...
2009 projections have his offensive #’s all over the place. lMO, we do Ells a disservice by expecting high power numbers. High OBP and Runs seem more relevant to his leadoff role and on base skills. I have Ells penciled in this sophomore learning year with .302/355/465 and 11HR, which could be high or low, like everyone else’s predictions about this still evolving player.
We don’t need much power from Ellsbury,though he may surprise us. The supposed gold standard center fielder, Grady Sizemore, is currently hitting .222/.307/.409/.716 with 8HR, 29RBI and 7/13 SB and 26R. His career line is .276/ .366/ .485/ .852. Matt Holliday is currently hitting .267/ .359/ .422/ .781 with 6HR, 22R. Ellsbury’s current line of .303/ .335/ .374/ .709 with 20/26SB and 27R is holding its own against two of the best outfielders in the game, each of whom struggled early. The #’s of his 21 game hitting streak show, I think, where Ellsbury is heading which, with his defense and base-running, will number him among elite outfielders. The power will come, but it is not essential to his success.
I agree that we don’t need *a lot* of power from him. But if he ever gets to that .465 Slugging, then that will be more than enough. I just can’t see him getting up there based on what I have seen and heard. I hope you are right…
If there’s one thing we should have learned from this series with the Twins, it’s that sometimes it takes young players a few years to grow into their bodies.
I’m not saying Ellsbury will ever have Mauer like power, but clearly it might take him a few years to develop the power he’s going to have.
Good point, Scott.
IMO The most important aspect that Ells should develop is walking more!! and I pretty sure he could with pitchers challenging him less and less and trying to pitch around him.
Leave the power to the other hitters behind him do drive him in.
I agree with Radiohix in that I’m more concerned with him drawing more walks and improving his OBP than his HR totals. The two stats that really matter with Ellsbury are OBP and runs.
Agree with both of you. But once Ells learns how to hit the way he should be able to, the average could go up even more. And an increase in average is an increase in OBP. But a few more walks would definitely help. But there is a minimum to how low he can “Slug” in order to be considered a “Good” player. That is what I was wondering.
I have watched Jacoby since his college days The worst thing he could do is try to hit the long ball.
Leave the home runs for the 2, 3 & 4 guys.
His speed and spark are his tools. Dragonflies have touched the soles of his feet.
Jacoby Ellsbury was shut out in the Fielding Bible voting as he was not among 23 centerfielders receiving votes from the 10-member panel:
http://www.billjamesonline.net/fieldingbible/comp...