Jason Heyward: Underachiver or Lack Of Effort

[cgilmo]

lol come on Chris thats a real big statement. He has not shown a whole lot since coming up. He has a few years in this league already and he doesnt scream star at all.

You looking at a stat line or are you actually watching the games?

 

[katieneack]

I do think Heyward was definitely way overhyped based on his RC year. He had a good RC year, but it wasn't as if it was the greatest season ever - He batted .277 with 18 HR's. Granted, that is great for a 20 yr old, but I think it led to unrealistic expectations.

Since his RC year, pitchers have adjusted to him and he has not adjusted in response. I don't think you can say he is lazy based on that 1 play that was all over sportscenter. However, it does appear that he is not learning how to make adjustments in his approach at the plate. Whether that is stubborness or bad coaching, who knows. Either way, I think it is safe to say he is not the next Ken Griffey Jr., but he could still develop into a very solid major leaguer if he learns how to adapt.

 

[Hallsgator]

As Kieth Law pointed out, he's also the same age as college seniors. Still time to be patient and see what happens and the adjustments he either makes or doesn't.

 

[mwashuc06]

As Kieth Law pointed out, he's also the same age as college seniors. Still time to be patient and see what happens and the adjustments he either makes or doesn't.

I could careless what Law says at times. Heyward looks an awful lot like Jeremy Hermida whom everyone thought was going to be a superstar.

 

[Hallsgator]

I could careless what Law says at times. Heyward looks an awful lot like Jeremy Hermida whom everyone thought was going to be a superstar.

The point is that Heyward is young. No need to assume he is fully developed.

 

[P_Manning 18]

deja vu

This really is the same conversation.

 

[Nick1190]

Oh please, i love all the people who are saying that he was overhyped and overrated. The same people who was ready to induct Matt LaPorta into the hall of fame in 2007.

He has all the tools to be a 290, 30hr, 100 rbi guy who has a cannon. Give him some time, hes still only 22 i believe.

 

[ThoseBackPages]

he'll be fine. he's done as far as the hobby goes though.

 

[cgilmo]

I could careless what Law says at times. Heyward looks an awful lot like Jeremy Hermida whom everyone thought was going to be a superstar.

You mean Jeremy Hermidia had his size and athleticism?

 

[Austin]

Heyward has one of the prettiest swings in baseball. He's only 22. And his rookie season was actually slightly better, stats wise, than Griffey.
Besides, Matt Kemp didn't become a superstar until last year, when he was 26 or 27. Remember when everyone was calling Kemp lazy in 2010? Now he's one of the best players in baseball.
(And I own no Heyward cards of value, so I'm not biased).

 

[jcmint]

Chris anyone watching the games can see he is not all there sometimes. Its safe to say he has not lived up to the hype (cards and media). He might put it all together but we are talking here and now.

Hermida did have size and was a good athlete. Another lefty with a sweet swing. Couldnt play a lick in the field.

 

[Donutme]

He is a great player. First view I would say lack of effort. I really do not believe that though. He is still learning the game. In two/three more years this game will be second nature to him. Right now some pitchers have figured him out. This always happens in year two/three of a hitters career. The Sophmore Jinx ? He will be just fine.

 

[mwashuc06]

Heyward has one of the prettiest swings in baseball. He's only 22. And his rookie season was actually slightly better, stats wise, than Griffey.
Besides, Matt Kemp didn't become a superstar until last year, when he was 26 or 27. Remember when everyone was calling Kemp lazy in 2010? Now he's one of the best players in baseball.
(And I own no Heyward cards of value, so I'm not biased).

Matt Kemp also had some big years before last year. That's a weak comparison

 

[jbhofmann]

Matt Kemp also had some big years before last year. That's a weak comparison

Kemp was still not an everyday MLBer at 22. Heyward was the Opening Day RF at age 20.

 

[uniquebaseballcards]

The absolute best predictor of future performance is past performance.

 

[bravesfan22]

Once chipper jones is his hitting coach we're going to see what jhey can really do.

In all seriousness yes he has definitely under achieved. I wouldn't say its lack of effort.

Theres that saying "you cant teach an old dog new tricks" Well jhey is by no means an old dog but when you dominate at every level you play at and even have a good rookie year its probably pretty tough to admit to yourself you need to change something up because for your whole life prior you seemed to do everything right and produced results above and beyond expectations. Obviously the new trick he needs to learn is how to hit an mlb fastball on the inner half of the plate, well with his bat speed and strength prior to the mlb people were probably scared to throw inside to him and when they did he probably had no problem catching up to it due to less speed and less movement then what a good mlb pitcher has on their fastball.

Like everyone else is saying its all about adapting and hes only 22, hes got some time to fix his swing. One thing thats not going away anytime soon his strength,athleticism, and raw talent. If were still having this conversation when hes 30 then ya he was an overhyped prospect that never took advantage his "man amongst boys" scenario.

 

[markakis8]

i think JHey is going to be a solid player, but stating now that he will have a Winfield or Parker type career is too far off for me to comprehend as anything but wishful thinking. Aside from a good RC year in 2010 where he showed glimpses of what he could be,

Sorry to change the subject but why do people refer to a players rookie year as "RC year"? I've seen it done numerous times. Surely everyone realizes RC stands for rookie card? LOL

 

[markakis8]

Chris anyone watching the games can see he is not all there sometimes. Its safe to say he has not lived up to the hype (cards and media). He might put it all together but we are talking here and now.

Hermida did have size and was a good athlete. Another lefty with a sweet swing. Couldnt play a lick in the field.

I'm not a braves fan by any means and I'm certainly not invested in Heyward....but who COULD have lived up to the hype he got? The guy was the second coming of Babe Ruth. Hardly anyone lives up to the hype they get when it's that big. He could make the All-Star team a couple times and hit .300 for his career and not live up to that hype.

Anyone that knows baseball and can watch Heyward and see the natural raw talent he has to be a big time player in the bigs. As others have pointed out, he's only 22. Will he make the adjustments? Who knows.

 

[hockeyfights]

How many of you who say it's a lack of effort have watched every Braves game this year? My bet is zero. You probably said the same thing about Dan Uggla last year too. Both guys are BTTW with effort and hustle. Heyward has been working with another hitting instructor at some cages that most of the East Cobb players use. I only know this b/c my cousin goes to the same cages and works with the same instructor. Clearly not a lack of effort. Underachiever? Sure, if your expectations were 50 HR's and .350 BA for a 22 year old.

 

[bigredmachine]

When is Heyward a free agent?