Monday, August 3, 2009

The Melky Cabrera Appreciation Post

I've written posts before where I've pointed out that Melky Cabrera, in 2009 has found an unusual success in hitting in "clutch" situations.

Now, after yesterday's Cycle, it seems timely to take a look at his entire season.


Last year, Melky Cabrera's season was so poor that about this time, he was sent down to the minor leagues.

This season, his .292 average is second only to Robinson Canó and Derek Jeter. Although his .356 on base percentage is at the low end among Yankee starters, is actually higher than that of Jorge Posada.

Cabrera's numbers thus far appeared skewed by a poor June, but here it's probably worth consideration that when he crashed into the wall and banged his shoulder, it probably messed with his swing just that little bit.


Now, this is not to say that Cabrera's having an All Star caliber season--he's not--but what he is having is a season in which he's done a complete 180 from last year.

Maybe we should have expected it.

After all, Cabrera is only 24 years old. Like the young Yankee pitchers, maybe he was simply doing the 'struggling-young-player' bit.

Time will tell.