Derek Jeter, New York Yankees Powered Up

Entering the season, it wouldn’t have taken a great leap of faith for someone to say that they expected the New York Yankees to be one most productive offenses in the game.  However, what may have been surprising is if someone predicted that, through the team’s first 16 games, captain and 37-year-old shortstop Derek Jeter would be leading the team in slugging percentage be a significant margin.

Still, that’s exactly what’s happening in the Bronx.

As we approach the end of April, the Yankees find themselves at the top of the list of most offensive categories.

Not a surprise.

But check out Jeter’s line through his first 16 games and 73 at-bats: .411/436/.644, four home runs, five doubles, 13 RBIs and 14 runs scored.

It’s not as shocking to see Jeter leading the league in hits (30), but it would figure that most of these would go for one or maybe two bases.

However, Jeter’s already clubbed four home runs this season, putting him two-thirds of the way to his 2011 total through only 16 games.  At his current rate of production, Jeter is projected to hit 41 home runs, 51 doubles, score 142 runs and drive in another 132.

Of course this is unsustainable, but it’s fun (at least for me) to dig into these numbers.  Jeter hasn’t posted a slugging percentage north of .500 since 1999, and his total has fallen below the .400 (.370, .388) mark for the past two seasons.

Still, Jeter is showing baseball fans that, even as a soon-to-be 38-year-old, he still has a little pop left in his bat.

For more on the Yankees be sure to check out Yanks Go Yard.

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