The Twins Need Early Season Eddie

Great write up and information. I agree 100%.

Sadly, I just don't know if Eddie has the maturity to pull off that type of transformation in September and October. His lack of hustle and lackluster play on defense being my first exhibit.

I think Rosario is still playing because the Twins outfield situation is dire. He looks like he's playing hurt.

I purely focused on one sentence in this article

"It’s a dubious skill set, to be sure. Like being really good at smoking an entire pack of cigarettes at once."

This was gold.

Also, I'm very scared that if we gave Rosario this article, he would have the same take away....I hope that's giving him wayyyyyyyy too little credit.

I think he's playing hurt too but that really doesn't involve the swing decision process. If he were swinging through a bunch of in-zone pitches or had a steep drop off in fly ball distance, I'd be more inclined to think injuries are effecting his offensive performance. Furthermore, if injuries are a source for his offensive issues (I can see a scenario where his ankle injury *could be* forcing him to start his swing earlier or pushier thus messing with pitch recognition), dialing back and reducing his reach would be beneficial. 

It was just an observation on my part. Eyeball test, as it were. I admit I'm not a batting kinesiology expert like the people who run TD. (no, not snark, I cannot break down the mechanics of a swing like most of the people who write here)

I was just offering what I think may be playing into the problems Eddie is experiencing.

As of right now, the whole team has crashed due to a slew of injuries, of which Rosario also appears to be a casualty. 

I know people are down on the Twins, but the injury situation is almost unparalleled and singling out Eddie seems a bit like piling on.

Right. Of course it wasn't a steep of a decline like that. He was still at a 742 OPS in August. The main difference between the Mar/Apr and late Aug/Sept numbers is the pitches he chooses to swing at. The sense of what he can and cannot handle eroded. 

 

He's a streaky hitter over his career, for sure, and that comes with the territory of being one that expands the zone. I also have no doubt that his ankle injury likely hindered his performance since returning. 

 

His sprint speed is down. One thing that is notable too is that his doubles total, for the first time in his career, is lower (21) than his home run total (28). Also, and this is random, but holy cow he had 15 triples in his rookie season?! 

I would suggest that cause and affect might be confused here. I think others have stated it...

Eddie doesn't "choose" to swing. He swings. Pitchers have adjusted to throw fewer pitches in the strike zone to him...because he and the new ball were exacting a heavy price for that...and because they've learned (or been reminded) that he'll swing at any pitch. If you (or anyone with the numbers) told me that Eddie was seeing/taking materially more pitches per PA early in the season than he is now...I'd feel more encouraged that he could make a quick adjustment to get back to that.

Rosario's monthy OPS has declined every single month this season. From .886 in Mar/April, to the current .459 in Sep/Oct.

 

It's been a steady decline all year.

And this is par for the course for Rosario. I remember last season starting hot - in both 2018 and '19 he was one of the final candidates for All-Star recognition. His second half numbers tend to be very pedestrian.

That said, he can still do damage if he gets a hold of one. Sure would be nice to see the guy launch a few into the stands in Cleveland this weekend.

Eddie needs to relax. He looks more serious than Jorge Polanco.

This is just how he is. He starts out with a good eye then he’ll swing at a few bad pitches and get hits off of those pitches. Once that happens his brain thinks he can hit everything..which he clearly can’t.

I think Eddie is a great outfielder and when the stakes will be high for the Playoffs, old Bomba Eddie will reappear! He needs to work with that hitting coach, because when you quit learning in life, you will go nowhere fast!