MLB
Is Mike Moustakas a Lost Cause?
After a struggling start and demotion, is there any hope left for the Royals third baseman?

Nearly two years ago, Baseball-Reference.com, Moustakas' line-drive percentage is 22%, which is 2% higher than league average, as well as being identical to teammate FanGraphs.com only registers Moustakas' line-drive percentage at 15.8. Aside from the line-drive percentage, Moustakas has registered a walk in a career high 8.6% of his at-bats, as well as seeing his infield fly ball percentage at a career low 10%. So there are a few little things to take as positive signs from Moustakas.

The one thing we shouldn't do, however, is write off Moustakas. Any player can be fixed, especially when that player is a guy as talented and powerful as Moose. Some people are skeptical of minor league and spring training stats, but they aren't completely meaningless. Moustakas ran over the competition in the minors, and plowed through the competion in spring training, including showing the ability to hit major league left-handers. He still has ability.

The key for Moustakas is for him to start improving on his craft as a hitter, not just his mechanics like he has most of his time in Kansas City. He made the infamous comments this spring that he doesn't watch film on himself. For a guy that is hitting .152, that's unacceptable. For an organization to put enough trust in one of the league's worst hitters, to let him do his own thing is even more unacceptable.

With all of that being said, one thing he is going to have to do to improve as a hitter is watch himself hit. His problems are may be partly mechanical, but most of his issue lie in his approach and fundamental abilities. The cool thing about having a problem with approach is that it is fixable. Give him some at-bats in Triple-A and some time to reevaluate his approach, and maybe he can make some strides. Weirder things have happened.

Related News

Cleveland Indians Season Preview: Are They Ready to Win the Division?

Ryan Heffernon  --  May 22nd, 2014

MLB Betting Guide for Friday 8/11/23: The Wrong Team Is Favored at Fenway Park

Austin Swaim  --  May 22nd, 2014

3 MLB Player Prop Bets to Target on Friday 8/11/23

Thomas Vecchio  --  May 22nd, 2014