Dioner Navarro Showing Early Signs Of Rebound

by Tommy Rancel on Jul 9, 2009 9:00 AM EDT Comment 21 comments

More photos » by Reinhold Matay - AP

Take caution, but Dioner Navarro is starting to hit a little bit. (AP Photo/Reinhold Matay)

Don't look now, but over the past week the Rays best hitter has been Dioner Navarro. I know that best hitter and Dioner Navarro haven't been synonymous this year, but it's true. Ok, let's throw out the small sample size alert; however Navi has hit .375/.412/.750 over the last five games. The more encouraging news is he is not just getting seeing eye singles or bloop hits. He is driving the ball with authority and has four extra base hits over his last 17 plate appearances. He had just 13 in his first 243 PAs.

Once more, it's hard to see this five game stretch and get excited for a guy who is hitting .223/.252/.335 overall, but you have to start some where. Strangely, Navarro's mini hot streak has come with an increase of off speed pitches. Pitchers are throwing him fastballs nearly 64% of the time this year, but only around 53% over the last five games. That could just be because of the style of the pitchers he has faced, however, it's something to keep an eye on.

Navarro is still hacking quite a bit. His O-Swing overall is 26.7% and it's been up over 30% during these five games. Only Evan Longoria, is swinging at more pitches outside of the zone during the stretch. On the other end of the spectrum is Gabe Kapler, who has not swung at one pitch out of the zone in the past week; the man is disciplined.

With the Rays offense in a slump over the past week, it's nice to see a game like last night where everyone got involved. Navarro himself had three hits including a double. While it's way too early to say Navi is going to break out in the second half of 2009 like he did in 2007, it wouldn't be a shock.

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He has been hitting better

Props to him on that. His defense is still a huge black hole.

by matthan on Jul 9, 2009 9:05 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

It's hard not to root for Navi

and i wish him well, but he needs to start getting himself in better counts to sustain this surge

Same problem with Longoria right now, he’s always 0-2, he too needs to learn to walk

by Raymondo on Jul 9, 2009 9:21 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

This can't bode well for HAHAHA OH WOW

by nolesblogger on Jul 9, 2009 9:26 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

If this keeps going, I might have to say that bloodletting on this site is good for you in the long run.

Let’s pretend for a moment that Navi rebounds and ends up with something like .250/.295/.350. Do you still look for a catcher?

I can't wait until we trade him for a reliever.

by kericr on Jul 9, 2009 9:43 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

IMHO yes

You can probably get similar for cheaper.

by matthan on Jul 9, 2009 9:47 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

or better for the same price

by raysfaninminnesota on Jul 9, 2009 10:20 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wow, Kap is disciplined

would be nice to have Longo or Navi show 10% of that discipline and stop chasing crap in the dirt.

www.bucem.com - SBNation's source for all things Buccaneer

by Buc Wild on Jul 9, 2009 9:50 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

The old non-metric adage still applies--Don't get yourself out

by Raymondo on Jul 9, 2009 9:52 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

And don't split face cards.

"What the hell is a Labradoddle?"

by davelrogers on Jul 9, 2009 10:14 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Never play cards with a man who's name is the name as a city.

by Suttree on Jul 9, 2009 11:20 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'ld play cards with that fuck Jonny Knoxville.

"What the hell is a Labradoddle?"

by davelrogers on Jul 9, 2009 1:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Never trust a man in a blue trench coat.

NEVER DRIVE A CAR WHEN YOU’RE DEAD.

by Suttree on Jul 9, 2009 3:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

A bit OT but thought the astute fan would give me a quick answer

Where (what city/town) do the GCL Rays play their home games in?

Also check outColome yesterday at HV

by Raymondo on Jul 9, 2009 9:51 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm pretty sure they play at the Rays complex down in port charlotte

could be wrong though

Kap-rilla???

by Sveet on Jul 9, 2009 10:14 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

thanks, i think i remember hearing that now that you mention it

by Raymondo on Jul 9, 2009 10:22 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Here you go

The team will play most of their home games on field five of the Charlotte Sports Park complex, and will also play select games in the stadium.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gulf_Coast_League_Rays

by nolesblogger on Jul 9, 2009 10:36 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Navi's Discipline

Since the start fo the 6 game road trip (8 games), Navi has swung at 14 pitches out of the zone out of 95 pitches or 14.7%. Even this number is skewed by the awful performance in the final Texas game where he went outside the zone on 7 of the 17 pitches he saw. If you omit that game (followed a game with 2 XBH) thats 7 O-Swings in 78 pitches or 9%. Overall, hes been consistently more disciplined.

Hes also being more patient with 1 strike on him. Hes taken 3 of 14 pitches in the zone with 1 strike on him. While still a aways from Zobristian, its a good sign for waiting for the right pitch.

Follow Me on Twitter @FreeZorilla

by FreeZorilla on Jul 9, 2009 10:16 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs