Quote:
Originally Posted by Gozer
My Vernon Wells theory:
Surrounded by some of the most talented players in the league: Halladay, Burnett, Rios, and others being very technically sound; Halladay, Zaun, Rolen, Overbay - Wells' strengths weren't being accentuated by his team.
He would (I assume) take batting practice with Overbay and Rolen and those two would fight off pitcher's pitchers and hit to the gaps, and then he would take batting practice with Rios and Thomas and they would swing at anything, and Wells (like any other person) absorbed what made them great.
This year, playing with kids who will take pitcher's pitches and mash meatballs - Wells will trend toward that strategy and that will match his skill set much better. More Rene Bourque and less Daymond Langkow.
Even if it's not Wells doing it subconsciously, pitchers will do it for him.
Last year, opposing pitchers were willing to go deep into counts because the team lacked power (a 3-2 meatball is likely just a single) whereas this year an upgrade of power this year will require a pitcher to throw more early fastballs and less breaking balls. Of course there are scouting reports for everyone - but I do think most teams pitch with a general strategy.
How far am I reaching here?
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I think it's a bit of a reach as far as the being influenced by great players portion, but what I think it's worth may never get to the crux of his downward trending career, nor is it worth a whole lot so don't be offended. We will have to wait and see how he plays this year with the kids before we can say he is a better player when there are no other big name players around him who are his senior so as to better 'accentuate his attributes'. LO is the only one...
I just think, early in his career when he was hungry and not as oft injured as he currently is, he was protected in the line-up by, at the time, one of the Game's greatest power hitters: Delgado, leading to his impressive early career accolades. Protection in a line-up can do wonders for hitters. This is why I tend to see your analysis of his hitting style at the end of your theory. I think VW also, straying from the approach that made him the 12o million dollar man and combined with the fact that pitchers are using an effective strategy to keep Wells in check by throwing him more breaking balls. He also had trouble hanging in at an at-bat while letting the ball travel deep enough into the hitting plane, self-admittedly. That could have been him not fully recovered from the wrist problems he had the season before. This residual effect could be why he couldn't trust his natural strength and swing quickness having him commit at inopportune times during untimely junctures.
His troubles could also just stem from him being unable to reconcile personal expectations, personal health, organizational expectations, fanbase expectations that came with his monster contract. If Wells has a better year defensively, doesn't go down with more injuries and improves his plate discipline he would mean a lot to the team going forward. However, I have distinctly recalled throughout his career that scouts said he never was the most disciplined hitter who got by a lot on natural gifts.
We will see what happens to VW, IMo, he needs to return to playing great CF defense to really be an asset. He doesn't need to hit thirty home runs but 45 + doubles would be fantastic. I'd like to see him walk more this season since he's never been a great OBP guy.