With a rebound season in the books, the “hot” corner is once again living up to its name. Here are 12 thoughts I had about the 2012 season from a third base perspective.
Trevor Plouffe popped more than a few dingers last year. His 24 bombs were good for seventh best in baseball in 2012, and it looks completely repeatable. Unfortunately, it looks like a repeat of his .235 BA is in store, too.
Adrian Beltre is now officially a contributor in batting average! In five seasons from 2005-2009, Beltre had a cumulative .266 BA that never topped .276 in any single season. In three seasons from 2010-2012, Beltre has twice batted .321 sandwiching a still-better-than-former-Beltre .296 BA. Despite his walk and line-drive rates remaining similar, his strikeout rate has dropped into the mid-12s from the 15%-17% range, and that accounts for the boon to his batting average.
In an era where sluggers remain impactful until their late 30s, 34-year-old Aramis Ramirez had a rebound season for the ages ...
Original Story:
|
November 25, 2012
