Present position:MLB trends: Enrique Hernández's magic fix, the clutch MJ Melendez and Manuel Margot's big problem >>Text
MLB trends: Enrique Hernández's magic fix, the clutch MJ Melendez and Manuel Margot's big problem
Credit Card Protection Policies316Have read
About MLB trends: Enrique Hernández's magic fix, the clutch MJ Melendez and Manuel Margot's big problem ...
MLB trends: Enrique Hernández's magic fix, the clutch MJ Melendez and Manuel Margot's big problem
All eyes are on a September stretch run but we have to get through August first
By Mike Axisa • 6 min readThe dog days of summer have arrived. Teams made their moves at the July 30 trade deadline and now the postseason races (and awards races) are heating up. Less than seven weeks remain in the regular season. With that in mind, here now are three MLB trends worth knowing as we enter the stretch run.
Hernández turning season around with new glasses
Enrique Hernández LAD • 3B • #8 BA0.215R31HR7RBI26SB0 View ProfileFor much of the first half, Dodgers utility man Enrique Hernández was pressed into action at third base because of Max Muncy's oblique injury. The results were not good. Hernández took a .191/.258/.299 batting line into the All-Star break, and both the defensive metrics and the eye test say his glove at third base is OK. Certainly not stellar, and certainly not enough to carry the bat.
Hernández has been a different hitter over the last few weeks though, slashing .276/.336/.434 in 21 second half games. As he tells it, there is a tangible explanation for his improved performance: Hernández got fitted for eyeglasses. At the behest of longtime friend Martín Maldonado, Hernández had his eyes checked earlier this year, and the exam revealed an astigmatism.
The Los Angeles Times has the details:
"(Maldonado) told me that him and a couple of his teammates needed glasses, and they didn't really know through the spring training test," Hernández said.
...
"They went through a more thorough test [to learn they needed glasses]," Hernández said, referring back to his discussion with Maldonado. "So I was like, 'All right, I'm gonna try it out.'"
The astigmatism is in Hernández's right eye, and in the final series of the first half, he began wearing glasses with a prescription right lens. He'd never worn glasses in his life prior to that. The slash line speaks for itself, but beneath the surface, Hernández has also shown improvement in his contact and chase rates with his new glasses:
No glasses | With glasses | MLB average | |
---|---|---|---|
Contact rate | 76.6% | 79.8% | 77.0% |
Chase rate | 25.7% | 24.4% | 28.4% |
Chase rate vs. breaking balls | 26.9% | 21.4% | 31.0% |
Mookie Betts returned Monday and Muncy started a minor-league rehab assignment this past weekend. He's inching closer to a return and the Dodgers need him. When Muncy does return, Hernández will slide back into a traditional utility role, and it's for the best. Even with his new glasses, he's stretched as an everyday player. Hernández is most effective in moderation.
For much of the first half, Hernández's bat was essentially unplayable, but the Dodgers had little choice but to play him given their third base situation. The eye exam, the astigmatism diagnosis, and the new glasses have helped Hernández get his season on track. It sort of makes you wonder why we don't hear about more struggling players going for rigorous eye exams, no?
The incredibly clutch Melendez
MJ Melendez KC • LF • #1 BA0.205R33HR13RBI36SB3 View ProfileThere's no two ways about it: MJ Melendez's .205/.267/.403 slash line entering play Tuesday is ghastly. It's 28% below league average once adjusted for ballpark, and it's far below the .243/.314/.398 league average for left fielders. That .267 on-base percentage ranks 204th among the 210 hitters with at least 300 plate appearances this season. Yuck.
Tags:
Reprinted :Welcome friends to share to the network, but please explain the source of the article“Credit Card Protection Policies”。http://aqntz.feilaokan.com/aj2pq49.html
Related articles
God of War Ragnarok Finally Adding Option to Tone Down Puzzle Hints, But Only on PC for Now
MLB trends: Enrique Hernández's magic fix, the clutch MJ Melendez and Manuel Margot's big problemGod of War: RagnarokGod of War Ragnarok Finally Adding Option to Tone Down Puzzle Hints, But Only on...
Read more
Pacers, T.J. McConnell agree to multiyear extension
MLB trends: Enrique Hernández's magic fix, the clutch MJ Melendez and Manuel Margot's big problemPacers, T.J. McConnell agree to multiyear extensionBy James BoydAug 30, 2024T.J. McConnell is stayin...
Read more
NBA trade rumors: Warriors turned down Zach LaVine proposal from Bulls before waiving Chris Paul
MLB trends: Enrique Hernández's magic fix, the clutch MJ Melendez and Manuel Margot's big problemNBA trade rumors: Warriors turned down Zach LaVine proposal from Bulls before waiving Chris Paul...
Read more
Top Article
- Monumental Sports announces plan to move Capitals, Wizards to Virginia
- Kevin Durant trade rumors: Suns may not want to deal former MVP to win
- WATCH: Lakers' call to Bronny James before selecting him with No. 55 pick in 2024 NBA Draft
- Caitlin Clark breaks WNBA rookie scoring record: Fever star surpasses Seimone Augustus vs. Wings
- Final Four Preview 2024: What you need to know about UConn, Alabama, Purdue and NC State
- New USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino sets expectation of excellence in introduction to America
Latest News
Jaguars signing former Eagles cornerback after Tyson Campbell suffers Week 1 hamstring injury
WNBA playoffs: Liberty clinch No. 1 overall seed, home
Cavaliers hire Kenny Atkinson as coach: Cleveland signs ex
Do Kawhi Leonard, Clippers have new window? Plus, TV networks want Charles Barkley
Avalanche defenseman Sam Girard entering NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance program
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Greece eliminate Luka Doncic, Slovenia in Olympic qualifying semifinals