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In yesterday’s post about American League buy low hitting candidates, I promised to cover the National League. Well, here you go…
Catcher: [tag]Brian Schneider[/tag] (WAS) has a contact rate of 83.13% but is batting only .205. Adding to that poor batting average is his .235 BABIP. Schneider’s batting average should come up. His first two games in May (3 for 7) show he has the ability to bring that average up to respectability.
First Base: Ouch! [tag]Adam LaRoche[/tag] (PIT) has a horrific contact rate of 64.83%. The Bucco Blog has some good insight as to what’s happening with LaRoche’s swing and plate discipline. LoRoche is just as unlucky with his batted balls as he is bad at making contact right now. His BABIP is .161. Until he figures out his preparation problems at the plate, LaRoche should still strike out in boat loads. But, his BABIP will go up, ans so will his batting average.
Second Base: I suppose the days of second basemen being good contact hitters with no pop are long gone. Of all the NL second basemen, I could only find one with a K% below 13% (where respectability begins). That means every other NL second sacker is striking out way too much; making contact way to infrequently. Looking into BABIP, only 1 hitter is below .250 and only 3 below .270. These guys are getting lucky with their batted balls and striking out way too much. I can’t recommend any NL second baseman for a buy low strategy. Sorry.
Shortstop: [tag]David Eckstein[/tag] (STL) makes contact at a phenomenal rate of 98.9%, but is only hitting .220 right now due to a low BABIP of .222. His unlucky streak will fade away and his average will rise.
Third Base: With a contact rate of 85.36% and a BABIP of .250, [tag]Scott Rolen[/tag] (STL) should see his .232 batting average start to climb.
Outfield: Rookie [tag]Chris Young[/tag] (ARI) was much hyped in the off-season and spring training. However, a .202 start to 2007 has some Diamondback faithful worried. They shouldn’t be. Young makes contact at a respectable 85.10% but has just been mired with a terrible BABIP of .197. When some of those batted balls start falling, and his BABIP rises to a normal .290, he’ll carry his anemic batting average up with it.
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