Struggling against LHP’s

AFL Peoria Javelinas (7-5 loss to Phoenix Desert Dogs)
Juan Miranda: 2-5, 1 RBI, 2 K’s
Brett Gardner: 2-5, 1 RBI, 1 R

I don’t know if I’ve ever seen as many lefties as I’ve seen in the AFL over the last two weeks. It’s becoming very clear that both Miranda and Corona are having a tough time with the adjustment. Their AFL splits are after the jump.

Miranda
Batting AVG OBP SLG OPS
vs Left .154 .267 .231 .497
vs Right .467 .529 .867 1.396

Corona
Batting AVG OBP SLG OPS
vs Left .000 .182 .000 .182
vs Right .444 .444 .889 1.333

Gardner
Batting AVG OBP SLG OPS
vs Left .462 .533 .462 .995
vs Right .353 .421 .471 .892

Here’s the batting log that I have for Miranda today. These are the types of AB’s that I’ve been seeing from him so far.

Vs. Right
1 AB: Single – Line Drive to RF – RBI
3 AB: Single – GB through the hole between 1st & 2nd
5 AB: Struck out swinging

Vs. Left
2 AB: Fouled out to catcher
4 AB: Struck out swinging

I remember reading this interview where Miranda basically says they don’t have many LHP’s or guys that throw in the mid-high 90’s and that would be an adjustment for him. I would give him a pass for now because he was out of baseball for two years after defecting from Cuba.

Reegie Corona had better splits in 2006 so hopefully it’s just a slump, but he really looks like a different hitter from the left side. The bat is quicker, the swing is shorter and he makes solid contact more consistently from the left side.

I haven’t noticed any difference with Garnder hitting against lefties but he does have trouble stealing against them. I haven’t seen him try to steal against a LHP yet and sometimes he leans toward first base during the delivery. When he steals against RHP’s, there’s no hesitation.

Sorry no pictures today. The battery was dead.