What’s wrong with Ellsbury?
Posted on August 11, 2008
Filed Under 2008 Season | Leave a Comment
Jacoby Ellsbury is 8 for his last 16 with 2 HR, 5 RBI, and 3 SB. That is all fine and well but I wouldn’t be too quick to declare his slump as officially over. Jim Rice mentioned on his site that Ellsbury has changed a few things in his swing and is now making good solid contact on the ball. If he’s getting hits, stealing bases, and making tremendous diving catches in the outfield, then what’s missing?
Jacoby Ellsbury has walked 5 times since June 1st. He’s had 220 at-bats and has played in 54 games during that time period. There is something seriously wrong with his lack of patience at the plate. Yes, it could be because he was pressing for a hit and got a little bit overzealous; however, he has 0 walks in the month of August yet he’s hitting at a .360 clip.
I’ll try to put it in perspective for you..
May: 96 at-bats, 14 walks, .375 OBP
June: 98 at-bats, 3 walks, .265 OBP
Players go through stretches where they hit the ball hard and have nothing to show for it. That’s usually fine because they draw walks to make up for it. David Ortiz had the biggest slump of his career to begin the 2008 season but the Red Sox stayed afloat because his .215 AVG was backed up by a .350 OBP. Right now we need Ellsbury to do the same thing.
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