Hello Fans,
The VFTD seems to have been limited the last month or two. I’m not even sure why so there’s no sense in trying to answer that one I suppose. No rhyme, no reason. Anyway, one item I think I can explain is the highly successful and historically significant season the Baltimore Orioles’ first-sacker Chris Davis is having. Along with reigning Triple Crown Winner Miguel Cabrera, who beat him it to it by a few days, Davis is one of 2 players to accumulate both 30 HR and 90 RBI before the same All-Star Game break. (Note: it seemed to be later this year than others, but those numbers are real good seasons for most any player regardless). I haven’t seen any detailed breakdowns of Davis’ swing mechanics or his approach to hitting on any of our favorite MLB broadcasts, and I’m sure there have been plenty. However, here are some observations from a not too afar vantage point as to why Davis started the second half on pace for 60-plus bombs.
First, you have to start with Chris Davis himself, of course. He was a big-time prospect as a local kid coming into the Texas organization as a young minor leaguer. Why? Because he had the size and power at 6′ 3″ and the frame to carry his now 230 pounds as a slugging corner man, whether it be infield or outfield. Next, he’s a seasoned veteran to some extent. Entering 2013, he had 1,600 Big League plate appearances under his belt. These experiences included a great second half of 2012 in which he hit 19 HRs with 45 RBI in 67 games, an indication that he was figuring things out at the MLB level.
Prior to 2012, he also had the not so pleasurable experience of a massive slump while the Rangers were a great hitting team en route to back to back World Series appearances. He ended up spending some time down on the farm to figure things out at the plate. Next, came his trade to Baltimore. That trade, as we’ve seen with so many players, gave him a chance to be his own player in a new environment that included other young players looking to make their marks. Davis played 31 games for the O’s at the end of 2011, and settled in as a key contributor heading into 2012. He was far from a star, but solid in the Bigs nonetheless.
In the course of 2012, manager Buck Showalter’s second full season with the team, the lineup was taking shape and the team was winning games. Lots of them. Touted rookie sensation Manny Machado arrived with much fanfare as well as productive flare. Centerfielder Adam Jones was anchoring the lineup at an all-star level as an all-around hitter and power man. Shortstop J.J. Hardy was driving the ball well for doubles and homers despite an average in the one-for-four area. And don’t forget switch-hitting masked man Matt Wieters providing slugging pop too. Why are these guys relevant to Davis?
Well, because he hits fifth in the lineup. That’s probably not what you’d expect if you’re not a boxscore reader. You’d think three or four man. Davis in the five-hole is proof of two things. One, is the talent level of his teammates. The second is Showalter’s track record of coaching and motivating players to their fullest potential while not fooling with a good lineup combination. Team first type of thinking. By adjusting the lineup, I am referring to the temptation to move Davis into the three (he’s hitting .314, tops among O’s regulars) or four hole to sneak in a handful more at bats per month. Regularly, leftfielder Nate McLouth leads it from the left side, followed by Machado from the right, Rightfielder Nick Markakis in the three-spot from the left, Jones from the right at cleanup, Davis from the left, and then he is protected by the power potential of both Wieters (13 HRs) and Hardy (17 HRs) from the six and seven spots.
As far as ‘flicking’ would-be doubles over the fences for homers at his current pace, another factor is his age. Many fans say Roger Maris is still the home run king, which is ironic because over fifty years ago, many fans didn’t want to make that claim because he hit 61 in ’61, the first year of the 162 game schedule. Babe Ruth had 60 in the old 154 game set and was still the champ in many an eye (for the record, Maris played in 10 more games than Ruth, but only had 7 more plate appearances). That’s another story though. The link to Maris I’m referring to is that Davis turned 27 in March (St. Paddy’s day in fact). Maris also turned 27 when he hit 61, although it was in September of his record season. A player’s power starts to reach its full potential around that age or later. Ruth hit 60 when he was 32. Ken Griffey Jr.’s high was 56, in back to back years when he was 27 and 28. Those are just a few examples, but you get the point. That’s when the pop really starts to POP!
Can he do it year in and year out? The odds are an obvious no. The game is tough enough to play everyday, let alone dominate for an extended period. However, sooner or later a new power hitting superstar comes along that makes the home run ‘chase’ fun again. Looks like that is what both we, the fans, and the game needs right now. You know what I mean. With the combination of his skills, focus, teammates, and the not-too-big home park of Camden Yards, perhaps Chris Davis is on a crash course with historical home run numbers and the ensuing debates.
Later Fans.