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matfanofold
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- Aug 10, 2008
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Is it possible that at 33 years of age Howard has finally lost his power stroke?
Looking at this seasons numbers (71 games, 284 plate appearances is no small sample size), and comparing them to his productive seasons of 2006 - 2011, his HR total is way down and his doubles total is way up. Over the same 2006 -2011 span Howard averaged 27.8 doubles per season hitting over 30 only once (37 in 2009) and this year he already has 20, on pace to hit well over 40 two baggers on the season. also during that span he averaged just under 44 HR's per season and with only 10 this year in 71 games, he is on pace to see just north of 20, his lowest by FAR of any full season.
His BA is up above normal and his K numbers are in line with the 175+/- per season, so with all else being equal and seeing a big spike in doubles coupled with a huge drop off in HR's, are we seeing a glimpse of the 'new' Ryan Howard? A .280 hitter that will hit 22 - 25 HR's per season and drive in 80? Don't get me wrong, that is still respectable but far from the sheer awesome power and run production we were seeing since 2006 (aside from injury in 2012)...
And I understand he was only hitting in the low 30's for home runs in 2010 & 2011, but to dip to 20+/- while mashing doubles at a higher rate then ever before signifies dwindling power, no? I wonder just how far it will dwindle...? will he level off and maintain or is this the beginning of the end for him? Too bad really, a few more years of 'Howard-Like' production and I think we were looking a lock for the Hall...
Looking at this seasons numbers (71 games, 284 plate appearances is no small sample size), and comparing them to his productive seasons of 2006 - 2011, his HR total is way down and his doubles total is way up. Over the same 2006 -2011 span Howard averaged 27.8 doubles per season hitting over 30 only once (37 in 2009) and this year he already has 20, on pace to hit well over 40 two baggers on the season. also during that span he averaged just under 44 HR's per season and with only 10 this year in 71 games, he is on pace to see just north of 20, his lowest by FAR of any full season.
His BA is up above normal and his K numbers are in line with the 175+/- per season, so with all else being equal and seeing a big spike in doubles coupled with a huge drop off in HR's, are we seeing a glimpse of the 'new' Ryan Howard? A .280 hitter that will hit 22 - 25 HR's per season and drive in 80? Don't get me wrong, that is still respectable but far from the sheer awesome power and run production we were seeing since 2006 (aside from injury in 2012)...
And I understand he was only hitting in the low 30's for home runs in 2010 & 2011, but to dip to 20+/- while mashing doubles at a higher rate then ever before signifies dwindling power, no? I wonder just how far it will dwindle...? will he level off and maintain or is this the beginning of the end for him? Too bad really, a few more years of 'Howard-Like' production and I think we were looking a lock for the Hall...