Chris Davis hit 12 home runs in the Home Run Derby and hasn’t hit one in a game since, but please, tell me more about how the event doesn’t mess with a hitter’s swing. I tried to warn you guys.
On Thursday night, baseball’s home run leader went 0-for-4 with the Golden Sombrero — four strikeouts. As Roch Kubatko points out over at MASNSports.com, Davis has at least one strikeout in his last 19 games, the longest active streak in the big leagues.
A huge part of Davis’ success this season has been he increased plate discipline. He cut his out of zone swing percentage from 39.8 percent last season to 35.5 percent this year according to FanGraphs.com’s plate discipline data.
Since the Derby, Davis is 6-for-30 with one walk (intentional) and 13 strikeouts. Davis’ strikeout rate was 28 percent in the first half, it’s up to 41.9 percent in the second half. His wOBA has fallen from .458 to .238 after the break.
I doubt he’ll blame the Home Run Derby for his struggles in the first seven games since the event, but the results are the results. Hopefully he can cut down on the swings outside of the zone and regain the patience that made him the game’s most dominant hitter in the first half.
The Orioles will need it this weekend.
Or the guy is slumping and you’re reaching for reasons why. How many full seasons of success has Chris Davis had? (I believe that the HR derby does have an effect though, this I just a thought.) The Orioles are struggling because they didn’t make the necessary moves in the off-season to make the playoffs (IMO). I plan on writing about it soon.
Hey Seabiscuit- shut up, we own your ass. I hope Davis closes out the game tonight like last year.
Must be that troublesome blister,,,,better get some ‘clear’ on it fast,,,,,you can get some from B-rob,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Any correlation to CD’s power outage and the spotlight being turned up on the biogenesis crack down? Maybe there is concern that the testing has stepped up or Brady is unable to get sufficient to supply both BRob and the Crush…and BRob has deeper pockets. Any way whatever the road block please insure Crush gets his share this weekend before he cork screws himself into the batters box trying to make contact. Sixty-two home runs my eye.
Davis has given in to the pressure of chasing a HR record , he has realized well over half the season is gone and he still has a way to go,,,,,it’s not easy to challenge these records,,,,,he needs to relax and get back in his groove,,,,the O’s need his bat real bad,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Someone who has endured the spotlight- Cal, Eddie need to sit CD down and tell him to play them one at a time and forget about the record. Statistics (records) make for good television in this age of sensationalism but players need to disengage and play the game. Getting caught up in the frenzy (especially when he is not even close) puts unnecessary pressure and is a distraction.
Agree 100 %………….but don’t get Cal , how many single season batting records did he set in all the years he played ? He wasn’t that good………………
Agree with you MM , all Cal did was play a very long time , to the detriment of the team , at times…….selfish man…….screwed his hometown also , selfish man……
Thanks spy , you are a wise man…