Anyone else not enamored with Hanley's 2009 season?

[Topnotchsy]

All I have heard about Hanley's season last year has been praise piled on top of praise. While he had a tremendous season, I wondered if anyone felt that there were some trends that might raise concern for a drop-off in performance.

The most obvious stats are the drop-offs in homeruns and stolen bases (9 homers fewer than 2008 and 8 stolen bases fewer.) More bothersome to me is the 33% drop in walks. He went from 92 to 61.

I guess when you factor in everything else he did and the tremendous season he had I may be nitpicking, but I do wonder if his numbers are in for a bit of a slide this season.

 

[Casey2884]

You can't draw walks when you hit the ball ....

He had 20 more hits than 2008 (197 vs. 177)

Sure, he had 31 fewer walks. However he also had 50 fewer plate appearances.

His average went up 41 points. His OBP still went up 10 points, even with 31 fewer walks.

In short, it's all sample size - his 50 fewer plate appearances, combined with 20 more hits ... that equals 70 fewer walk opportunities, though it appears by the numbers he actually was hitting MUCH better than in 2008.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[cvn66]

The walks may have been a function of where he was hitting in the lineup - he spent most of 2008 as the leadoff hitter and most of 2009 as the #3 hitter. He may just have been more agressive hitting 3rd with more chances to knock in runs (he had almost 100 more PA with runners on base in 2009). SB probably the same thing or maybe he is just picking his spots to run.

The HR drop is proabably more to do with luck than a decline in power - his XBH% for both seasons was 10.3%. In reality, a few more homers probably turned into doubles, so there is nothing to indicate that he won't hit 30 HR this season with a little more luck. He also hit more line drives last year than the previous year, so that would also lend itself to the drop in HR.

 

[Sly]

One can bash on the walks all they want, but the number that needs to stand out is this:

.400 (OBP '08) vs. .410 (OBP '09)

Sure, he had less walks, but got on base MORE this season than the previous. And as others have said, he had 41 less plate appearances (not at-bats). He was on base 340 times in '08 (Hits + Walks) and 325 in '09 (again, with 41 less plate appearances).

On top of that, he hit .453 with 2 outs and RISP in 2009 and only .250 in 2008 in those same situations.

It's hard to really bash on any part of his season last year...even compared to previous seasons.

 

[Mudcatsfan]

Well the entire reason for any criticism of his season was the one thing you failed to mention, Injury.

This is also the only thing that anyone should ever worry about with Hanley, and its a real concern.

He suffered the entire season with Hamstring Knee & Hip issues. This was also the reason for his decline in steals.

Not even because he COULDNT steal bases, but because the team told him NOT to risk injury by even attempting them.

So in short, barring an injury, should we be worried about him ever declining in performance? No

Should we worry about an injury? Yes, very much.

 

[bodiaz]

He had an awesome year! If he stays at SS, which he probably won't, he could become the best ever.

 

[sheetskout]

I know this is going to come off completely wrong, but if you wouldn't pitch to Bonds in an anaemic lineup like he had why in the hell would you pitch to Hanley Ramirez.

That's the only reason I see for drop-off.