After a red-hot Spring Training for the Red Sox centerfielder, the season has been anything but stellar. Jacoby Ellsbury has struggled to maintain a batting average above the Mendoza line in 2011, currently hitting at .182 after an 0-4 performance yesterday with 3 Ks. He now has 14 Ks on the season with just 10 hits, 4 of which were home runs. The surprising power is nice, but only if Ells can still maintain a high average and on-base percentage. The Red Sox need the lefty to put pressure on the defense on the base paths, both with steals and taking the extra base on a single to the outfield. He has bounced around the lineup, hitting in the 1st, 5th, 6th, 8th and 9th spots, either to begin a game or as a pinch-hitter or pinch-runner and nothing has worked. What should the Red Sox do with Ells?
The sure-fire leadoff hitter in 2011 has hit below his already poor average in that slot (.167). He has a poor .262 on-base percentage and has just 3 steals on the season. Also, Ells has just 1 extra base hit that isn’t a home run, a double, so he is not making the solid contact we saw this Spring. He has only played in 17 games this season, so there is plenty of time for a turnaround, but he needs to refocus his attention and energy. Ells is effective when he looks for solid contact and drives the ball for a base-hit or into a gap, not when he is looking for the long-ball. He has power, we have witnessed that, but it appears he is looking more for the power and the big hit and less in the department of getting on base, whether it is an infield single or a hit off the wall. Focusing on getting on-base is what the Red Sox really need from Ells going forward.
It has also been interesting to watch Ells in the batter’s box. He has not been patient when he should be and has been too patient on many occasions when he should be more aggressive. In Wednesday’s game against the Oakland Athletics, Ells struck out 3 times looking. All 3 called strikes were too close to take and yet the speedy outfielder watched them pass right by. Whether you agree with the calls or not, he needs to swing. Those are the situations that are frustrating to those watching his game right now, because it appears he isn’t seeing the strike-zone as well as he has in the past. Even if he disagreed with the calls, he has to adjust throughout the game and swing at those pitches. He does have a tendency to strikeout fairly often (192 career Ks in 366 games), but also backs up those Ks with hits. Without the hits, Ells is just an easy out for the opposition. With his speed, just making contact with the ball makes him a threat, especially on a ground ball. Infielders feel the pressure to get the ball to 1st quickly and have a tendency to rush with Ells running down the line. That results in errors and legged-out infield hits.
I’m beginning to wonder if Ells is struggling because he has been tossed around the lineup and has lost confidence. When he is playing well, he exudes confidence, bordering on cockiness, which can be a huge asset for a professional athlete. He lost his leadoff role and has been relegated to the bottom of the lineup, which can have an negative impact on a young player. Now is the time for Ells to regroup and take a few more chances at the plate to try and get on-base. He doesn’t walk often, so being aggressive is the key.
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