The Cleveland Indians’ Mike Papi has shed the bad luck that plagued him in 2015.
Last season, I wrote a weekly column similar to this one. In it, I would provide updates on notable performances of players in the Class A-Advanced leagues; The California League; the Carolina League; and the Florida State League. One player who held my attention through the entire season was the Indians’ Mike Papi.
Papi, in the words of Baseball Prospectus, “couldn’t buy a hit the first two months of the season,” which is true. If you only focused on traditional statistics such as batting average, Papi’s first full season wasn’t noteworthy: his final slash line was .236/.362/.356.
But look at that on base percentage! Papi drew an incredible 81 walks last season, which was 16.0 percent of his plate appearances. That’s an absurdly high rate and one which led the league. As I watched his batting average wallow below .240 the entire season, I knew something wasn’t adding up.
This season makes so much more sense, and Papi is showing even better plate discipline. He’s in the Carolina League for a second go-round, and entering play Wednesday, he had a BB% of 21.2, or 12 in 52 PAs. The rest of his numbers are starting to sit where one would think they should, as he’s slashing .302/.456/.698 with four home runs.
Over in the FSL, Twins shortstop Nick Gordon, the team’s No. 4 overall prospect, is slugging his way onto the leaderboards. Considering he is listed at just 160 pounds, that is a bit surprising. The power isn’t from home runs, however, as he’s hit five doubles, tied for most in the league, one triple and one home run.
Travis Demeritte, a Texas Rangers prospect, is enjoying his stay in the launch pad that is the California League, leading the league with six home runs. The second baseman is slashing .333/.380/.867 in 11 games.
Next: Class A