As we did Tuesday with the NL, today we will be looking at some of the AL hitters with respect to their Singles Average (BHIPx), which can help identify what effect luck may be having on a player’s production. If you haven’t scoped out this and other numbers on the Player Chart pages here, you really should. If you haven't subscribed yet to get access to these charts, there's no time like the present.
Bobby Abreu- LAA- Hot- First up is Abreu. The 35-year-old has not found the Fountain of Youth. He is enjoying some favorable bounces in the early going. His .363 batting average is driven by a phenomenal .386 BHIPx.
Brian Roberts- BAL- Hot- Roberts has been benefiting greatly from some good fortune in the first month of the season. His BHIPx is usually higher than the major league average of .245, normally ending up in the .255-.260 range. This is not abnormal for a speedy player, as they tend to beat out more ground balls for hits than the norm. What is abnormal is just how far above the average he is right now. His .333 mark is likely unsustainable, so a drop of his .356 batting average down towards his normal .290-.300 is something to expect before the season is over. That’s still nothing to sneeze at, particularly with the steals he adds to the mix.
Chone Figgins- LAA- Cold- Figgins’ batting average dropped to .230 yesterday after he went 0-for-5. His BHIPx is at a low (for him) .260, but it is still above the major league average. His Batting EYE is at a very good .93. So why is the average down so far? The Batting EYE is being driven by a very high walk rate that is cancelling out a jump in strikeout ratio. After whiffing 17.6% last season, he is striking out at a 20.2% clip in 2009. That translates to fewer balls in play and fewer chances for Figgins to make use of his exceptional speed to beat out hits. At this point, consider it a statistical aberration. He should correct himself as the season progresses.
Alexei Ramirez- CHA- Cold- Last year, Ramirez hit .290 in his rookie season. Even after going 2-fo-2 with a walk yesterday his batting average is only at .214 this year. The main culprit is bad luck. His .180 BHIPx is a serious drag. Put Ramirez as a buy low candidate is other owners think he is experiencing a sophomore slump.
Mark Teixeira- NYA- Cold- Teixeira took the collar yesterday, with an 0-for-3 dropping his batting average back below the Mendoza line at .197. His main problem is that so far this season he has been the anti-Wee Willie Keeler. Instead of “hitting ‘em where they ain’t” Teixeira has been “hitting ‘em where they is.” Reflected in his BHIPx of .179. He drew 2 walks yesterday, boosting his Batting EYE to 1.45 and his OBP to .365. The hits will come in time.
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