
But this is one of the things that makes baseball such an interesting sport to follow - Encarnacion was given a window of opportunity, and he’s fundamentally turned his season around. Had Lawrie not broken his hand, Encarnacion may have found himself in the minors or in an entirely different organization. But in the second half, only Ryan Zimmerman has been a hotter hitter at third base and Encarnacion is probably making decisions for the Toronto brass awfully easy as the team holds a club option of $3.5 million in 2012. Now, if you’re in a league that takes into consideration defensive metrics, Encarnacion is barely useable and in terms of wins above replacement, he isn’t particularly valuable as a third basemen because of his brutal glove. And in addition to his average, he’s also striking out less vs. While he has hit righties this well before, it hasn’t been since 2007 but even then, his wRC+ was 99 versus RHP where it stands at 116 in 2011. Historically, Encarnacion has hit left handed pitchers slightly better than right handed pitchers, and over the last several seasons, he has started to really struggle versus righties. In his career, Encarnacion has been a pretty average hitter in “pitchers” counts and historically a below average hitter even in favorable counts.Īnother way that 2011 has demonstrated a pretty stark correction has been his success against right handed pitchers. What’s curious is just how different he is in a couple situational settings. Edwin Encarnación 2013 batting game logs for Major League and Minor League baseball. But in this season of apparent subdued offensive excitement, Encarnacion is producing particularly well in context of his woeful start. 345 wOBA, this shouldn’t be as big of a surprise as it seems like. Positions: Designated Hitter, Third Baseman and First Baseman Bats: Right Throws: Right 6-1, 230lb (185cm, 104kg). 350 wOBA, good for 8th overall among third basemen with at least 350 plate appearances, just behind the likes of Adrian Beltre, and just ahead of Evan Longoria.

Whether or not he was motivated by the prospect of shopping for a new condo I don’t know, but what’s really interesting is to look at how he is a very different hitter in 2011 than he has been in the recent past. What has happened since the break is a brand-new-shiny version of Encarnacion as he’s gone. Edwin Encarnación career batting splits statistics for Major League, Minor League, and postseason baseball.
