Michael Cuddyer's New Season

by Jesse on Jun 16, 2011 10:30 AM EDT in By the Numbers

Everyone was either terrible or hurt in April. At least, everyone who wasn't Jason Kubel or Denard Span, two guys who are now, not so bizarrely, on the disabled list. Michael Cuddyer was no exception to this general rule, pounding out three homers (which wasn't so bad) but also only hitting three doubles en route to what can only be described as a month full of struggles. In 101 plate appearances Cuddyer struck out 15 times and walked 7 times. A lack of good contact, a lack of some discipline, a lack of power, and, hell, a lack of luck meant he was hitting a paltry .227 at month's end.

The odd thing is that he was still one of the better hitters on the team. It's all relative.

Since the calendar turned to May, however, he's one of a number of Twins who have found their stride. Alexi Casilla picked up his game in May. Nick Blackburn, Scott Baker and Carl Pavano found their strides in May, too. But Cuddyer may be the most consistent of them all.

Over 36 games since May 1, Cuddyer has hit .314/.383/.489 with six homers, six doubles, 15 walks and just 22 strikeouts. His breakout, in conjunction with having Casilla and Ben Revere reaching base in front of him on a regular basis, has allowed him to lead the Twins to what's been a mild resurgence.

During Minnesota's recent 11-2 stretch, Cuddyer has raked by going 15-for-43 (.349) with 8 extra base hits (.712 slugging) and an even 7-to-7 walk to strikeout ratio. Over that same stretch, Revere has scored 10 times (while hitting .304 with an on-base percentage higher than .340) and Casilla has scored 8 times (while hitting .367 with an on-base percentage of .415).

All of those 18 runs haven't come off the bat of Cuddyer, just like all of Cuddyer's 13 runs batted in over these 13 games haven't all come from Revere and Casilla. But each of these players has a new lease on the 2011 season, just like the Twins.

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His breakout, in conjunction with having Casilla and Ben Revere reaching base in front of him on a regular basis . . .

Perhaps his breakout was the result of having Casilla and Revere reaching base (i.e., getting better pitches to hit).

Please provide a statistic analysis of this proposition by noon today. Em, thanks.

by Jomall on Jun 16, 2011 11:36 AM EDT reply actions

This is the inane crap that actually interests me.

But Cuddyer was hot before this 13-game streak anyway. Most of those games were without Revere, or were without Revere hitting first while he was hitting third.

by Jesse on Jun 16, 2011 11:46 AM EDT up reply actions

Just check to see if he's getting more fastballs

Pitchers aren’t going to want to throw sliders in the dirt with good baserunners on ahead of Cuddyer.

by DJL44 on Jun 16, 2011 1:12 PM EDT up reply actions

Simpler Explanation

Both statistically and anecdotally, Cuddyer is a very slow starter who has quite often had very poor Aprils before heating up. Looks like he’s at it again.

"You can't sit on a lead and run a few plays into the line and just kill the clock. You've got to throw the ball over the damn plate and give the other man his chance. That's why baseball is the greatest game of them all."
~ Earl Weaver
"In God we trust. All others must provide evidence."
~ Billy Beane

by AdamOnFirst on Jun 16, 2011 3:58 PM EDT up reply actions

Delmon is heating up also

Delmon of course has always been completely worthless in April. Now in June he’s hitting .327/.340/.442.

Can the Twins get a couple fast starters on the roster to balance their slow starters?

by DJL44 on Jun 16, 2011 4:39 PM EDT up reply actions

Morneau and Mauer

by Caleb A on Jun 16, 2011 6:37 PM EDT up reply actions

Not a surprise

I’m not sure why, but the Twins generally have a poor April & May each year. It has never been this bad, but very rarely are they well over 500 before June 1. Once June rolls around, they really pick things up. Most years, they are hanging around first place by the end of June because they’ve started their June run. Then July comes and the pace really picks up.

I’m not sure they can dig themselves out of this hole by the All-Star break, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they are .500 by the end of July. Yes, I know that they have to play 12 games over .500 but that is not inconceivable, and is fairly reasonable under these circumstances.

The fact that these guys are playing better seems to be a team trend rather than a few players. These guys are just the ones who stand out. Even the pitchers are getting into the act, look at their recent work over the past few weeks.

by jjohn24680 on Jun 16, 2011 11:48 AM EDT reply actions

Indeed.

We talked about the pitchers last week, and it’s been amazing that they’ve been able to continue to pitch as well as they have. Pavano, Liriano, Blackburn and Baker in particular.

by Jesse on Jun 16, 2011 12:09 PM EDT up reply actions