2019 is all about development and some of that happens off the field. While I agree he could rest less and DH more to find consistency, we really have no idea about his mental state or health status to really question the manager’s decision. Maybe getting hit on the hand is still bothering him, we don’t know.
They showed a pic of him stressed out about that pinch-hit grounding out from the previous game. I feel like he just has to get back out there and enjoy playing ball again, there’s too much going on between the ears. He wasn’t like this in the minors and I followed him pretty closely since Dunedin.
One thing is for sure, he looks a bit frustrated and going through his first struggles in baseball.. pretty much for the first time in his pro career. Stress relief, time off, and this all-star break might not be a bad thing. Just to step away for a bit and “soft reset” on his season, similar to Gurriel going down to Buffalo.
Just to put things into perspective, in the minor leagues the amount of times Vladdy didn’t reach base in 3 consecutive games can be pretty much counted on one hand. He was so dominant (and advanced for his age, while being the youngest player at his level), that he regularly had hits and walks in games, and once a week go ham with multiple XBH. (3/4 with XBH and BB is a normal weekly routine for Vlad). That’s how he was putting up 150-200 wRC+ Barry Bonds/Willie Mays type numbers and stretches of batting .400 with .500 wOBA.
There’s too much talent there and he just needs to go through these rookie slumps to figure stuff out.