It’s been a bizarre season for Lucas Duda in 2015, highlighted by a successful first two months of the season followed by virtual non-existence for the first baseman over the last two months.
For the first 49 games of the season, Duda posted a .946 OPS while compiling a .303/.397/.549 line with nine home runs and 25 RBI in 204 plate appearances, seemingly on course to match his power numbers from 2014 while posting a higher overall line.
But suddenly, Duda’s offense went into complete hibernation.
From May 31 through July 22, a span of 43 games Duda posted a .160/.279/.263 line with only three home runs and 13 RBI with 52 strikeouts in 183 plate appearances, unquestionably weighing down on an already sagging Mets offense.
But Duda has started to perk up as of late and show necessary signs of life with his bat. He has a 1.036 OPS in his last five games thanks to four extra-base hits, three of which are home runs. He has struck out eight times in 21 plate appearances in that span, but he has scored four runs and hit three home runs during this stretch.
One of his problems during this cold stretch has been he’s not seeing as many pitches inside the strike zone, thanks in part to not having much protection around him. But he’s chasing more pitches outside the zone this season than he did last season, which suggests he’s trying to do too much. Having said that, he’s had a longer swing in the last two months than he did earlier in the season which is resulting in more misses and foul balls on pitches he would previously crush.
But in the last few days, Duda’s shown a shorter swing at times, and the results have been there albeit inconsistently. The home run he hit in the first inning against James Shields on Tuesday featured that short stroke on a pitch right in his wheelhouse, and he hit it well over 450 feet to dead center field. Perhaps a week ago, he fouls that pitch off or pops it up.
He’s worked tirelessly at trying to get himself out of this mid-season malaise. He spends tons of time in the cage, he’s been seen watching video of himself at times immediately following games to try and figure out what exactly has gone on with his game.
Despite the extended slump, Duda has still produced a .771 OPS, 15th best among qualified first baseman in the game, and his 120 wRC+ is 14th best in the game among qualified first baseman. Of course, those numbers have sagged thanks to the slump, but while the Mets have needed more from him in the last two months, the overall lines could be much worse.
And, maybe it’s starting to happen for Duda again. Perhaps the final two months of the season will be more like the first two months, which would be a huge lift for the club.
The Mets certainly need it to happen for Duda again, as it doesn’t matter who the Mets acquire for their lineup if their first baseman stays in his long-term slumber for too much longer.
Just Mets 