Mookie is Getting Unlucky
1)
- Quick look at Fangraphs. His expected stats are better than his actual stats.
.179 AVG vs .264 xBA
.269 wOBA vs .331 xwOBA
.359 SLG vs .434 xSLG (still down, but much better than what he has produced so far).
Quick look at Statcast. His average Exit Velo is the same as his career numbers, Launch Angle is close to the same, Barrel % is up, bat speed is the same, swing length is the same, Squared-Up % is better.
There are some other signs of potential concern that I’m not gonna ignore, but I don’t think equate to “he’s washed.”
Hard-hit % is down (36% vs 42% career), and I think the eye test backs it up that he may not be hitting the ball quite as hard overall and is getting more weak pop-up contact.
- Conclusion is this looks more like a slump/bad luck than full-blown decline. He’s probably playing more like a .260 hitter but is getting .180 results.
I still believe he should be moved down in the order until his results start trending towards his expected stats. There are no egos on this team, Mookie’s a pro and can handle it, we still need him out there and I believe he’ll turn it around.
Go Dodgers.