Freddie Freeman, Will Smith, and Max Muncy are the common three, 4, and 5 hitters within the Los Angeles Dodgers’ lineup this season.
Usually, these three are essentially the most feared hitters due to their energy, at the least the latter two. However they will all change the course of a recreation with one swing. Nonetheless, between the three of them, there are solely six dwelling runs this season.
Trying on the numbers, the center of this lineup is missing energy. However, they’re additionally missing consistency which immediately impacts their energy hitting.
Freeman has performed in elements of 15 seasons and has 322 profession dwelling runs. He’s not precisely the definition of an influence hitter, as he has solely had three seasons with at the least 30 dwelling runs. Nonetheless, he does know methods to hit doubles with 477 to his identify, and an unimaginable 59 final 12 months.
Smith made his main debut in 2019 and has 92 dwelling runs and 88 doubles. What he’s good at is swinging at strikes and making contact. He hasn’t struck out 100 instances in both of the final two seasons which is saying so much for the 972 mixed at-bats.
Then, there may be Muncy, who has been recognized to be all or nothing. His 838 profession strikeouts outnumber his 642 hits. His run manufacturing is a direct correlation to what number of dwelling runs he hits. Final season he drove in career-high 105 runs and slugged a career-best 36 dwelling runs.
Following the Dodgers’ shutout loss to the Washington Nationals earlier this week, Dodgers Nation’s Doug McKain introduced up the dearth of energy from the center of the order.
“You have a look at the center of that order, Freddie Freeman,” mentioned McKain. “Issues are beginning to flip round for Freddie. He’s hitting the ball tougher. You’re beginning to see him come out of that droop, however the result’s we’re not there as soon as once more, he goes 0-3. Will Smith, he goes 0-4, and also you simply want extra energy from that a part of the lineup. Will Smith, should you have a look at the numbers total, they’re undoubtedly strong, they’re actually good, however you want some extra energy. Only one homer on the 12 months for Will Smith, so that you want the center of that lineup to begin to slug just a bit extra.”
The frequent denominator with all three isn’t essentially a scarcity of energy as a result of it’s there. Their careers have confirmed it. This 12 months has been a scarcity of consistency.
These three gamers are two of the group’s high 5 strikeout hitters. Muncy is tied for the group lead with 29 and Freeman has 17 which is fifth. Smith solely has 13.
Smith’s consistency has been higher than the opposite two. He has a .348 batting common and solely trails Mookie Betts and Shohei Ohtani, however there’s a dropoff from there. Freeman is fourth with .276 and Muncy is sixth at .257.
As soon as these three discover their groove, the facility numbers will observe. As soon as they’re all seeing the ball higher, the manufacturing will come. It’s solely a matter of time.
Picture Credit score: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports activities
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