Cold as Ice

Let’s look at what’s going on with two position players who have started the season ice cold.

Brett Boone – 2B – Every City Bandwagoners

Boone has had 46 plate appearances this year, and an eye-popping 20 of them have resulted in a strikeout. His K% of 43.5% is third worst among batters with at least 20 at-bats, but the two above him – Josh Gibson and Mike Schmidt – are at least producing in some way at the plate. That means despite a very fortunate .333 BABIP, Boone is batting just .205. Boone has just a single extra base hit, leading to an anemic OPS of .490, and an OPS+ of 26. Boone’s also struggled in the field, with an absolutely pathetic range factor of 3.08 so far this season, far behind the league leader Robbie Alomar’s 6.39. Boone’s .973 fielding percentage is second worst among second basemen with at least 10 games played.

Maybe the Bandwagoners need to get the Enhancers on the line. Not for a trade, but to find some roids to help Boone get back on track.

Michey Cochrane – C – Amazings

If you want to make Boone’s 26 OPS+ look good, you need look no further than Cochrane, who carries a negative-26 OPS+ so far this season.

Cochrane is slashing .080 / .148 / .120, with just two hits so far this season. He’s yet to drive in a run, but he has been somewhat unlucky – just a .095 BABIP. Avert your eyes here – Cochrane has a negative-.44 WPA so far this season, meaning he’s been one of the most valuable players on the field … for his opponent. He’s only been tested on the basepaths twice so far, but he’s also only thrown out one baserunner. And, his .268 OPS is worst among catchers with at lest five at-bats.