Encarnation - 2015 best is yet to come?

[BigCecil]

Encarnacion has been struggling some by his standards:

 

K rate up

BB rate down

OPS .760

Wrc+ 110

 

He has been battling various hamstring, back and shoulder issues since late last year.

 

I realize that pitching and not 0 has been our issue but is anyone concerned about E-Rex OR is the best yet to come for him in 2015? We have seen him go on colossal tears before that would straighten out his production numbers in a hurry. I'm curious what people think.

Edited August 7, 2015 by BigCecil
spelling

[Mikeleelop]

its been a tough year on his body having to play first base for a month when Bautista was DH'ng after his breakdown

 

hope he get regular turn at DH and that helps

[o2cui2i]

Playing first base everyday wears him down. He had to play 1B with Bautista hurt. Now Gibbons insists on playing Navarro as the DH. Smoak is now basically a defensive replace when were ahead. Pinch hitter when we are behind.

 

I really feel playing first base and his nagging injuries have really effected him.

 

it really looks like his shoulder still isn't right. Maybe he needs some days on the bench to get healthy and then come back and go on a tear perhaps?

[Governator]

Playing first base everyday wears him down. He had to play 1B with Bautista hurt. Now Gibbons insists on playing Navarro as the DH. Smoak is now basically a defensive replace when were ahead. Pinch hitter when we are behind.

 

I really feel playing first base and his nagging injuries have really effected him.

 

 

Navarro is playing DH to gain trade interest and leverage for AA. They know Smoak should be at 1B permanently with EE at DH, that's how their line up was during their hot streak.

[BigCecil]

Agree with these comments. His pitch recognition seems off and Im not sure if injuries affecting that. He is swing at a lot more breaking balls off the plate than we got used to seeing since mid 2011.

 

It would be good to see him rest more and DH as much as possible. I don't care if he doesn't run out balls on the ground hard. Id rather he is healthy to mash down the stretch over trying to beat out IF hits.

[glory]

He should be the regular DH to keep his body healthy.

 

That's why it's imperative to trade Navarro before the trade deadline.

[Jimcanuck]

His plate discipline/pitch recognition has nosedived. He's played through injuries the last few years and put up good numbers. Who knows, at his age eyesight can start to deteriorate. Hoping for a big 2nd half from EE.

[LTR]

His plate discipline/pitch recognition has nosedived. He's played through injuries the last few years and put up good numbers. Who knows, at his age eyesight can start to deteriorate. Hoping for a big 2nd half from EE.

 

^This

 

Doubt we'll ever see 2012-2014 Edwin again... his approach at the plate hasn't been as good as we've seen in the past.

[BigCecil]

^This

 

Doubt we'll ever see 2012-2014 Edwin again... his approach at the plate hasn't been as good as we've seen in the past.

 

Argh...say it ain't so.

 

Is it heresy to consider moving him down in the order and Martin up or maybe even Smoak against some RHP?

[Caper]

Hope he gets the night off. Navarro has been killing the ball lately. Let him DH.

[blurnandez]

Who knows, at his age eyesight can start to deteriorate.

 

lol. He's 32, not 60...

[Jimcanuck]

lol. He's 32, not 60...

 

So.... I went from far sighted to needing bifocals around that age. Lots of people lose eyesight during their 30's. Its just one of many possibilities for EE's pitch recognition/plate discipline issues.

[Smokey]

His approach at the plate is not the problem. He doesn't seem to be able to catch up to the high inside fastballs anymore and he's trying to cheat in order to compensate for the decline in bat speed. Im not sure if it's injuries related but there might be some room for concern if his k rates don't start dropping soon.

[Smokey]

His plate discipline/pitch recognition has nosedived. He's played through injuries the last few years and put up good numbers. Who knows, at his age eyesight can start to deteriorate. Hoping for a big 2nd half from EE.

 

Lmao

 

Great insight "knowledgeable poster"...

[Jimcanuck]

Lmao

 

Great insight "knowledgeable poster"...

 

Stay classy

[Smokey]

Stay classy

 

As long as you stay humble!

[GD]

Jim Canuck is right. I forget which book I read it in but one of the flurry of sports books that came out a few years ago did a thing about eyesight deterioration in baseball.

[Jimcanuck]

As long as you stay humble!

 

Tongue firmly planted in cheek when I typed that.... but as is typical, it becomes ammunition for the web warriors on here

[KingKat]

Jim Canuck is right. I forget which book I read it in but one of the flurry of sports books that came out a few years ago did a thing about eyesight deterioration in baseball.

 

We all tend to experience eyesight deterioration, no reason for ball players not to do the same. BTW, apparently one of the best things you can do for your health is spend more time outdoors. You look at a greater variety of distances when you're outdoors, an added benefit to things like daily walks and/or jogs.

[Smokey]

Tongue firmly planted in cheek when I typed that.... but as is typical, it becomes ammunition for the web warriors on here

 

Fair enough. I apologize if I've offended you. I don't think it's that outrageous to assume that eyesight deterioration might be a factor but I'd say, based on what I've seen, that a loss in bat speed is a much more likely culprit.

Edited June 29, 2015 by Smokey

[CrackerJack]

scary that the Jays have scored over 400 runs already without Edwin being locked in yet (and Goins playing half the games in place of Travis.)

[LTR]

It doesn't matter what is deteriorating. We know that position players peak around 27 (varies by player obviously) but by 31-32 you can likely expect a decline. And Edwin is, of course, 32.

[frizzer1]

Encarnacion has been struggling some by his standards:

 

He has been battling various hamstring, back and shoulder issues since late last year.

 

.

 

That's the problem......when (if) he gets healthy there is no reason to believe he won't be back at previous levels......at 32 he is in his prime..

[labadee]

that was a clever threat title

[BigCecil]

Watching Papi at the plate against BAL. Now there is a guy who is struggling with the FB....@ $16mm

[JohnnyLonghorn]

Yeah Papi has had a tough go. Was surprised to see Adrian Beltre sitting with a .270 OBP. Maybe just off years or perhaps father time is finally catching up to these guys.

[BigCecil]

Yeah Papi has had a tough go. Was surprised to see Adrian Beltre sitting with a .270 OBP. Maybe just off years or perhaps father time is finally catching up to these guys.

 

Beltre just not healthy all season. His glove alone makes him valuable still. Still a force I think.

 

Edwin playing at 1st with that shoulder having to dive for balls is just pissing me off when Smoak > Navarro @ plate and better defender than Edwin who should be DHing.

[BigCecil]

http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/red-hot-edwin-encarnacion-rejuvenated-at-the-plate/

 

Good article on Edwin coming on since the break even if HRs not coming in bunches. A healthy and hot Edwin would be a massive boost to an already solid line up.

 

All that spec about him being asked to approve a trade and pouting in the dugout looks like so much derp now. He was right there front of the melee looking to grab a Royals player to rip their head off.

[Dr. Dinger]

it really looks like his shoulder still isn't right. Maybe he needs some days on the bench to get healthy and then come back and go on a tear perhaps?

 

Agreed, he's had some awkward follow-throughs with his top hand that seem to indicate his shoulder is still bugging him. Despite that, he's managed to hit for pretty good power though. I do think he'll go on a big tear at some point.

[Followthelight]

EE is showing signs of heating up. Need to get basutista going. His obp the last month is only around .315 I think.