Why is Ichiro's batting average so low this year?

Question

I thought he's one of the best hitters in baseball today. Why can't he hit the ball? Is he overhyped too?

Answer 1

Check the numbers. His career batting average in April is .298, and his current average this season is .290, so it's not like he's doing anything differently than he's done in the past.

He might be a little overhyped, but he's also probably the best pure hitter of the past decade. I'd like to see him show more patience and a little more pop, but it's tough to complain about a guy who has six straight seasons of 200+ hits, including the single-season record of 262.

Answer 2

It's very early in the season. When you take a sample this small, you'll see bad hitters who have .350 batting averages and great hitters batting in the .200s. The key to a great baseball player is his consistency over time, and that's what Ichiro has displayed over his career. Someone else also pointed out his batting average stats by month, and it looks like Ichiro takes some time to warm up. That's the case with some hitters, and others are just the opposite. Look at his career stats and he's been remarkably consistent. This year should be no different once we look back at the end of the season.

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Answer 3

Because its really early in the season. Do you really think Iwamura and Duncan will be the batting champs or that Jimmy Rollins will lead the NL in home runs. Ichiro will come around and bat around .300 or so like he always does by the end of the year. He's a great hitter that just needs some time to get on track this year.

Answer 4

He always seems to start slow, but he always kicks in eventually. Remember also that the M's have missed 5 games already this year because of weather. They have only played 8 games. When you have a smaller number of AB's, the BA changes more drastically than it will later in the season. One bad game can take a ton of points off, just as one good game will send it flying up. Look at his Y! stat page and see that going 4-5 in the last game sent his BA up 98 points.

Answer 5

Ichiro is as consistent as they come. They've played too few games to start worrying about player performance. He IS one of the best in the game and he was just in a bit of a slump before yesterday. Nothing that a few "multi-hit" games can't fix. They're very common for him.

Answer 6

He has been facing some pretty good pitchers to start the year. But he also had those games get snowed out which would throw his rythm of for a little while. Yesterday he was 4-for-5 and his average is now up to .290

Answer 7

The season has just started. Give him some time to warm up because he is still one of the best hitters in the league

Answer 8

This may not make me popular with other Ms fans, but I say let him walk after this season, or try to deal him. Why? He's 34 years old and his game is largely based on speed. As he hits his mid to late 30s, that's going to diminish and the injuries are going to start. I would rather dump him a year early, if need be, than a year late.

Answer 9

Where have you been? Yesterday he hit one out of the park in the first inning. Ichiro has a slump sometimes early in the season. He always recovers and gets it going. That's why he's such a valuable player.

Answer 10

No he is definitly not overpaid. He will find his groove soon, same with manny who is hitting .205 as of today. But if you look every year at their stats they are always great. That is also why the baseball season is sooooo long, bc it takes players a while to get in the groove.