Every year there are a ton players who don't perform up to their hype, sometimes this is for physical reasons other times mental issues due to problems on and off the field. Here is my Prediction for Nick Swisher, the definition of a player who did not perform up to his potential this past year.
Last year he saw roughly a 50 point drop in his batting average and over a 30 point drop in his ops+ although he did have 2 more homeruns the previous year. I believe this drop can be attributed to a lack of as consistent playing time (he did still have about 500 AB's but that is still 40 less than normal), a misuse of his skills Nick Swisher is not a leadoff hitter, and a bad change of scenery, with Ozzie Guillen at one point coming out to the media and saying how he was disappointed in how Nick had playing.
If he gets a fulltime job in the outfield, which assumes Nady is traded, he will, in my opinion put up the best numbers of his career. I predict a line of 260/390/520 with almost 40 homeruns next season. Now I know you might think I am crazy, but keep in mind a few things just 3 years ago in 2006 he hit 35 homeruns for Oakland. I can tell you it is a hell of a lot easier to hit a homerun in Yankee Stadium than it is in Oakland. Also keep in mind that Oakland's offense was pretty mediocre back then short of Frank Thomas and Nick himself, he will definitely have more opportunities as a Yankee.
Regardless of how Nick Swisher performs the 2009 season looks bright with the Yankees having one of their best rotations and lineups in a very long time.
No comments:
Post a Comment