Moving out from behind the plate and working exclusively as the Yankees DH, Jorge Posada was supposed to be fantasy gold. Despite being 39 years old, a player with his upside, coupled with being eligible at catcher…people were drooling over the potential for him to produce massive power while playing every day.
The power has been there, but the rest of the numbers have certainly disappointed:
58 At Bats
.160 Batting Average (8 Hits)
5 Home Runs
9 RBI
6 Runs
0 Stolen Bases
.276 On Base Percentage
.460 Slugging Percentage
He has five home runs in eight hits…that really tells you what you need to know. He’s showing the power that we all expected, though outside of that he just hasn’t been productive. Of course, the power has come courtesy of numbers that are unlikely to continue.
To date he is sporting a fly-ball rate of 51.4 percent, significantly higher than in any year since 2002 (42.9 in 2009 was his previous high). In fact, since 2002 his fly-ball rate is at 38.1 percent. His HR/FB is also elevated, at 26.3 percent (only one other season above 18.9). So expecting him to continue at his current rates would be slightly misguided.
As for the average, we all know it’s going to improve. His strikeout (26.0 percent) and walk (12.1 percent) rates are right along his career marks. The problem is his BABIP, currently sitting at .094.
No one is that unlucky, so look for the hits to start to fall. With it should come improved run production as well.
Playing as the DH should hopefully help him stay healthy and in the lineup, allowing him to exceed the “expected” 20 HR and 50ish runs that many would have projected.
Just stay patient for now and he should produce more than enough to make you happy. If someone in your league has grown impatient with his low average and lack of any production (outside of power), now may be the best time to strike.
What are your thoughts on Posada? What are you expecting from him? Is he a player you would target?
Make sure to check out these other great articles from Rotoprofessor:
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The Trade Counsel: The Only Bad Offer Is No Offer At All
Prospect Report: Brett Lawrie One Step Closer To The Majors?
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