When the Mets recalled Jordany Valdespin back on July 4th he gave the Mets a spark off the bench. That along with Lucas Duda and Kirk Nieuwenhuis 2 lefty bats mired in slumps eventually led to increased playing time for Valdespin in the manner of more starts after the demotion of Duda July 24th.
Duda’s last game in the majors was July 22nd and so far Valdespin has not made the best of his increased playing time. Valdespin in the 12 games since being called up until July 22nd was hitting .500/BA with 4 HR’s 8 RBI’s and 6 Runs scored. In the 10 games since Valdespin is hitting .167/BA with 1/HR 3 RBI’s and 3 Runs scored.
The biggest dropoff seems to be in games Valdespin starts. As a pinch-hitter since Duda’s last game played Valdespin is still hitting a nice .333/BA but in game starts Valdespin is hitting a poor .125/BA.
Could it have to do with Valdespin like a closer getting amped up late in a games as opposed to starting? Most likely not. It’s probably more like the league starting to get a book on him and Valdespin just needing to adjust.
Below are his splits pinch hitting and starting before & after Duda’s last game played since he was called up July 4th.
3 comments
Stick
8/2/2012-5:44pm at 5:44 pm (UTC -4)
you mean he isn’t the savior after all, based on a tiny sample size?
well, dang it.
Trs86
8/2/2012-6:41pm at 6:41 pm (UTC -4)
I think you have part of it. Pitchers aren’t going over in depth reports on a free swinging rookie pinch hitter. If he starts then he’s in the reports.
apagano
8/2/2012-7:34pm at 7:34 pm (UTC -4)
We’re seeing the weaknesses in Valdespin’s game that were well-known by scouts before he came up. The big question in my mind is whether it’s best to give him a shot at starting next year and see if he can develop in Queens or if he needs more minor league seasoning. The consensus used to be that he should be playing in Buffalo every day. Then he hit all those home runs and forced his way out of a demotion in MikeJacobian fashion.