Key Stats: Gardner is drafted for stolen bases, runs scored, and more stolen bases, all of which he should supply plenty of batting in the Yankees lineup. He does what someone with speed should do, which is keep the ball on the ground, but he has also been able to increase the rate he hits line drives each year he has been in the majors, which you won't find anyone complaining about. Last year he finished with the 3rd lowest swinging strike rate (3%) and the was tied for the 5th highest contact rate (91.4%) among qualified batters.
Skeptics Say: While Gardner keeps the ball on the ground, he hasn't exactly produced exceptionally high BABIP's like you would expect from someone with his speed. He makes contact so frequently you would think that combined with his speed he would get more hits, especially when last year he only put the ball up in the air 28.3% of the time.Peer Comparison: Brett Gardner is one of the premier sources of steals in baseball, there is no denyin...
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