Ichiro's struggles

Griff83 · Post #1 » by **Griff83** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 3:02 am

When someone like Pujols or Manny struggles at the start of the season to hit bombs, it doesnt worry me that much because I know they will turn it around, but when a great hitter like him goes 5 for 26 I think theyre is cause for concern (especially considering how badly he is striking out).

Ichiro looks majorly disinterested this season, wouldnt be suprised if he asked to be traded out of Seattle sooner then later.

Post #2 » by **Basketball Jesus** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 3:32 am

So, when a player that hits things that are totally fielder-independent (like home runs) doesn't perform, that's not a cause for concern, but when a player can't get hit-lucky, that is? Uh...what?

Post #3 » by **Basketball Jesus** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 3:33 am

Also:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sample_size

Griff83 · Post #4 » by **Griff83** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 3:38 am

Basketball Jesus wrote:So, when a player that hits things that are totally fielder-independent (like home runs) doesn't perform, that's not a cause for concern, but when a player can't get hit-lucky, that is? Uh...what?

Hit Lucky?

The guy is striking out like its going out of style. When a great hitter like him is hitting around .175 and pitchers are making him look foolish, yes Id say there is a cause for concern.

Griff83 · Post #5 » by **Griff83** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 3:40 am

You see power hitters all the time struggle and then turn it around, but this is by far the worst Ichiro has EVER looked at the plate.

even his own fans are starting to boo him

Bow2Yao11 · Post #6 » by **Bow2Yao11** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 4:03 am

Ichiro always starts off pretty slow. He will pick it up very soon. I'm sure of it.
I'm very surprised that he has two 3 K games already this week.

Bow2Yao11 · Post #7 » by **Bow2Yao11** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 4:06 am

From MLB.com:

Ichiro has said that he uses the first month to find his rhythm, and some years it takes longer to know where it is. Statistically, the first month is his toughest. He carries a .295 career average in April. That's good for anyone else, just not for the seven-time Japan League batting champion.

He follows that with a career .373 average in May, his best month. The next four months are still well above his April numbers: .330 in June, .343 in July, .316 in August and .322 in September/October.

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd ... p&c_id=mlb

Ichiro will be Ichiro. Soon enough.

Post #8 » by **Bleeding Green** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 4:10 am

It's true, in April Ichiro is a career .299/.354/.393--easily his worst month. Luckily May is his best month. He's a career .373/.416/.480 hitter in 703 May atbats.

Also, 26 atbats is nothing. Cesar Crespo can look like Manny Ramirez in 26 atbats or Manny Ramirez can look like Cesar Crespo in 26 atbats.

DAMN YOUR EDIT!!!

Griff83 · Post #9 » by **Griff83** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 4:12 am

Bow2Yao11 wrote:From MLB.com:

Ichiro has said that he uses the first month to find his rhythm, and some years it takes longer to know where it is. Statistically, the first month is his toughest. He carries a .295 career average in April. That's good for anyone else, just not for the seven-time Japan League batting champion.

He follows that with a career .373 average in May, his best month. The next four months are still well above his April numbers: .330 in June, .343 in July, .316 in August and .322 in September/October.

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd ... p&c_id=mlb

Ichiro will be Ichiro. Soon enough.

and right now he is hitting .180 and if anything looks to be going down rather then up

Griff83 · Post #10 » by **Griff83** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 4:13 am

Bleeding Green wrote:It's true, in April Ichiro is a career .299/.354/.393--easily his worst month. Luckily May is his best month. He's a career .373/.416/.480 hitter in 703 May atbats.

Also, 26 atbats is nothing. Cesar Crespo can look like Manny Ramirez in 26 atbats or Manny Ramirez can look like Cesar Crespo in 26 atbats.

DAMN YOUR EDIT!!!

You can spin it anyway you want, but Ichiro has never looked this hopeless at the plate in his MLB career.

Post #11 » by **Bleeding Green** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 4:51 am

I'm sure you can find a 26 atbat sample. 50 bucks says he's done this before.

EDIT: Boom. Done.

From July 31 to August 6 2005, Ichiro went 5 for 26. All singles. He walked twice.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/pi/gl ... &year=2005

Spin this.

By the way, I'm not spinning anything. I'd actually prefer Ichiro to be bad so everyone will stop riding his jock and realize he's not really that great.

Griff83 · Post #12 » by **Griff83** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 5:00 am

Bleeding Green wrote:I'm sure you can find a 26 atbat sample. 50 bucks says he's done this before.

EDIT: Boom. Done.

From July 31 to August 6 2005, Ichiro went 5 for 26. All singles. He walked twice.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/pi/gl ... &year=2005

Spin this.

By the way, I'm not spinning anything. I'd actually prefer Ichiro to be bad so everyone will stop riding his jock and realize he's not really that great.

stats are nice, but if you look closer youll see in that span he only struck out twice, comapared to 8 times so far this season and 2 games where he struck out 3 times.

again he has never looked this hopeless

Post #13 » by **Bleeding Green** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 5:02 am

Ok, fine, I'll find a span of 26 atbats where he struck out 8 times. Or more.

Gimme a minute and I'll put it in an edit.

EDIT: OK, you're right. His previous record for strikeouts in 26 consecutive atbats was 7.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/pi/gl ... 36:941:sum

Griff83 · Post #14 » by **Griff83** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 5:05 am

Bleeding Green wrote:Ok, fine, I'll find a span of 26 atbats where he struck out 8 times. Or more.

Gimme a minute and I'll put it in an edit.

Im sure you can find a span, but stats dont paint the whole picture. When he is stricking out he is swinging at horrendous pitches and getting fooled with the same stuff time after time.

Also add in the fact that before the season rumour has it he was unhappy in Seattle and the fact that he looks totally uninterested and I would say they're is cause for concern if your a mariner fan.

bigboy1234 · Post #15 » by **bigboy1234** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 5:10 am

He's not really a great hitter to begin with, if you were expecting more than a .785 OPS with .365 OBP, you were really setting yourself up for disappointment.

On the other hand Pujols who is actually a great hitter, has looked as bad as he ever has. Pujols' struggles so far>Ichiro struggles so far.

But to the you the truth you would have to be stupid to take anything about a player until at least a month into the season.

Post #16 » by **PhilipNelsonFan** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 10:18 am

How does a player look worthless? Normally players just ARE worthless.

Post #17 » by **Basketball Jesus** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 1:55 pm

PhilipNelsonFan wrote:How does a player look worthless? Normally players just ARE worthless.

You must've never seen Latrell Sprewell play.

Bow2Yao11 · Post #18 » by **Bow2Yao11** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 10:57 pm

Ichiro 4-5 today with a HR.

The man can hit. He always breaks out of his slumps.

Post #19 » by **Bleeding Green** » Thu Apr 19, 2007 6:05 am

For those keeping score, Ichiro has an 849 OPS on the season.

Post #20 » by **Basketball Jesus** » Thu Apr 19, 2007 12:32 pm

Bleeding Green wrote:For those keeping score, Ichiro has an 849 OPS on the season.

Adds BBJ: as a centerfielder.