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Quick Hit: Is Jedd Gyorko’s Poor Spring A Sign Of Things To Come? Don’t Give Up Hope Yet…
by Eric Stashin (aka The Rotoprofessor)
This was supposed to be a solid year for the Padres’ Jedd Gyorko, who profiles as a similar power middle infielder as a Jhonny Peralta. However if this spring is any indication, there’s the possibility he loses his starting job before long. That’s what happens when you strikeout 16 times in your first 32 AB…
That’s not a typo, as of Sunday he had whiffed in 50% of his official AB. Only Oakland’s Mark Canha had more strikeouts (18 in 46 AB). In his last two games Gyorko has struck out in all five of his AB (he also drew a walk).
It didn’t seem possible, but with Yangervis Solarte, Alexi Amarista and Clint Barmes all capable of manning 2B could Gyorko’s job be in jeopardy?
While he has posted somewhat inflated strikeout rates in his two years in the Majors, the marks are reasonable considering the types of gaudy marks around the game:
- 2013 – 23.4%
- 2014 – 22.6%
From 2011-2014 in the minors he owned a 17.2% strikeout rate. His spring struggles scream of an aberration, so fantasy owners can look past them.
What can they expect?
Last season’s .210 average was due to poor luck more than anything, considering his 21.8% line drive rate and .253 BABIP.
While playing in Petco Park will help to suppress his power, his average distance on non-groundballs of 263.587 indicates significantly more than 10 HR power. Remember he hit 23 in 2013 and he actually hit more home runs at home than on the road last season:
- Home – 7
- Road – 3
The poor spring numbers are going to help further devalue Gyorko, but fantasy owners should not make that mistake. The strikeouts appear to be an aberration, he was riddled with poor luck a year ago and now has a significantly better cast around him. It all adds up to a tremendous upside buy.
As a middle infield or bench option, he’s definitely a player that needs to be targeted.
Sources – MLB.com, Fangraphs, Minor League Central, Baseball Heat Maps
Make sure to check out all of our 2015 rankings:
- Catchers
- First Basemen
- Second Basemen
- Third Basemen
- Shortstops
- Outfielders: 1-20 | 21-40
- Starting Pitchers: 1-20 | 21-40
- Relief Pitchers
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Source: http://rotoprofessor.com/baseball/?p=25684
