Michael Young: There is no reason to panic about Young's .171 batting average after his first 70 AB. Players with a 3-year BHIP% of .291, who currently have a BHIP% are .143, will normally bounce back. Ignore the .15 batting eye and 81% contact rate, as the frustration of the slump is probably causing him to press at the plate. On the flip side, the three-year rise in his GB%, 38%/45%/48%, suggests that the power that he displayed in 2004 and 2005, when he hit 22 and 24 home runs respectively, is not going to rebound.
BJ Upton: Upton is off to a nice start with a .326 batting average in his first 43 AB. He has also shown some surprising pop, 2 home runs, 2 doubles, and a triple. While the power, which had declined from 2004 to 2006, is impressive, the high batting average is a mirage. It is being propped up by a .450 BHIP%. His contact rate of 58% reinforces that the batting average should be coming down in the near future. What is also surprising is that he has only attempted two stolen bases.
Ben Zobrist: Zobrist has sat in favor of Brendon Harris in three of the last six games. His peripherals of 0/11 K/BB and 78% contact rate show that there is a very good reason for it. In 233 career AB, Zobrist is hitting .210, with little power, and has been caught 3 times in 7 steal attempts. Harris could keep stealing playing time from Zobrist, who may be no better than a backup infielder.
Brendon Harris: Harris may be better offensively than Ben Zobrist, whether that is enough to get him the starting job at shortstop remains to be seen. The .381 batting average is aided by an unsustainable .417 BHIP%, but he has shown some decent power and speed in the minor leagues. Of course, that has yet to translate to major league success, .237 career batting average in 135 AB with 4 different teams.
Adam Loewen: Loewen continues to live on the edge, allowing 7 walks in 5.2 innings, but just 2 ER, en route to his second win of the season last night. In four starts, he has a 13/19 K/BB. His ability to induce ground balls, 3.13 GB/FB, is helping him pitch out of jams, but the 78% strand rate is also keeping his ERA at a respectable level, 3.72. It might be a good idea to keep him reserved until he shows much better control.
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