MLB · 1 year ago

5 Noteworthy MLB Players Starting 2024 in a Sophomore Slump

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James Outman
- 2023 numbers: .248/.353/.437; 118 wRC+; 16 SB; 23 HR; 4.0 fWAR
- 2024 numbers: .147/.250/.266; 56 wRC+; 2 SB; 3 HR; -0.1 fWAR
Despite being the Los Angeles Dodgers' starting center fielder in 2023 and 2024, James Outman was sent to Triple-A Oklahoma City last weekend.

Outman's slump was severe, as he posted a 56 wRC+ with only three home runs and 10 RBIs in 36 games this season. The contrast with his 2023 performance is stark.

This move was part of a series of roster changes by the Dodgers, and manager Dave Roberts was diplomatic: "It was a tough one. . . . I don’t think any of us expected to be in this position given last year and our expectation for him this season. We felt that James needed an opportunity to go down and play every day. There’s something to getting out of this environment.”

Outman simply isn't hitting. Providing him with a change of scenery makes sense, and considering the Dodgers' excellent development system, his chances of returning to the MLB roster are good.

This post by Renee Dechert appeared first on Just Baseball.

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Corbin Carroll (2023 NL Rookie of the Year)
- 2023 numbers: .285/.362/.506; 133 wRC+; 54 SB; 25 HR; 5.4 fWAR
- 2024 numbers: .191/.281/.272; 63 wRC+; 8 SB; 2 HR; -0.2 fWAR
Just a few months ago, Corbin Carroll was the unanimous choice for NL Rookie of the Year and finished fifth in the NL Most Valuable Player voting. Now, as he struggles to get on base, it's hard to remember that electrifying rookie who hit home runs and stole bases with ease.

What happened?

Clearly, Carroll got off to a slow start. The rapid pace at which he moved through the Arizona Diamondbacks system, combined with an outstanding rookie season, ultimately impacted his development.

Early this season, both Carroll and Arizona's coaches opted to let him "ride it out" based on last year's performance. "He moved so fast through the system, he never really had the opportunity to try some different stuff and see what it means to work through something, especially in-season," D-backs hitting coach Joe Mather told Yahoo Sports. However, it soon became evident that intervention was necessary.

Since then, Carroll has been working with the D-backs coaches to adjust his swing—a notoriously difficult task during the season. Despite improving his swing metrics over the offseason, these changes negatively impacted his overall effectiveness.

There are also questions about whether Carroll's nagging shoulder issues have returned, though he insists they haven't. Nonetheless, for a D-backs team eager to get back on track, they are anxiously awaiting the return of the 2023 version of Corbin Carroll.

This post by Renee Dechert appeared first on Just Baseball.

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Yanier Diaz
- 2023 numbers: .282/.308/.538; 127 wRC+; 23 HR
- 2024 numbers: .259/.294/.373; 90 wRC+; 3 HR
Yainer Diaz was one of the biggest breakout stars of 2023. The Houston Astros catcher displayed elite power, hitting 23 home runs and 22 doubles in just 104 games.

This year, however, Diaz isn't hitting with the same authority. His HardHit% has decreased, and he's hitting ground balls 55.6% of the time, resulting in the fourth-highest ground-out percentage in baseball.

Last year, Diaz had a 43.2% groundball rate. This season, there's been a noticeable drop in fly balls and line drives off his bat, diminishing his extra-base power. Additionally, his Barrel% is down to 5.6% in 2024 from 12.2% in 2023.

Diaz’s slump isn't as severe as Carroll’s, but he needs to get back to barreling the ball and hitting it in the air like he did in 2023. While he's been effective in managing the Astros pitching staff, he now needs to reignite his offensive performance.
Edouard Julien
- 2023 numbers: .263/.381/.459; 136 wRC+; 16 HR; 2.8 fWAR
- 2024 numbers: .210/.315/.399; 108 wRC+; 7 HR; 1.0 fWAR
What a year 2023 was for Edouard Julien! Called up and over the course of 109 games, he hit 16 homers and posted a 136 wRC+. He also boasted the lowest chase rate in MLB at 17.2% and an impressive 15.7% walk rate.

Not bad at all!

He's still performing well in 2024, but his numbers aren't as stellar as last year. What changed?

Some believe Julien has become "too passive" at the plate, not swinging enough. In addition, Julien's attempts to hit for power are clashing with the strengths of his game.

To be clear, Julien is still an above-average player, but it's a step down from his standout 2023 season.
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Nolan Jones
- 2023 numbers: .297/.389/.542; 135 wRC+; 20 SB; 29 HR; 3/6 fWAR
- 2024 numbers: .111/.273/.111; 15 wRC+; 2 SB; 1 HR; -0.6 fWAR
Nolan Jones is known for being a "slow starter," and when he had another poor Spring Training, most expected he would improve as the weather warmed. He left Scottsdale with a slash line of .250/.310/.385, hitting five doubles and a triple, though he hadn't yet hit a home run.

Expectations were that he would continue to progress. However, that hasn't happened.

Jones' strikeout rate has increased to 35.9%, up from 29.7% in 2023. Additionally, he is not hitting the ball with authority, with a Barrel% of 3.5% compared to 15.7% in 2023. He has also been struggling with a nagging back issue over the last month, which eventually led to a stint on the IL.

Currently, Jones is on a rehab assignment with the Albuquerque Isotopes but has suffered a knee injury there.
James Outman
- 2023 numbers: .248/.353/.437; 118 wRC+; 16 SB; 23 HR; 4.0 fWAR
- 2024 numbers: .147/.250/.266; 56 wRC+; 2 SB; 3 HR; -0.1 fWAR
Despite being the Los Angeles Dodgers' starting center fielder in 2023 and 2024, James Outman was sent to Triple-A Oklahoma City last weekend.

Outman's slump was severe, as he posted a 56 wRC+ with only three home runs and 10 RBIs in 36 games this season. The contrast with his 2023 performance is stark.

This move was part of a series of roster changes by the Dodgers, and manager Dave Roberts was diplomatic: "It was a tough one. . . . I don’t think any of us expected to be in this position given last year and our expectation for him this season. We felt that James needed an opportunity to go down and play every day. There’s something to getting out of this environment.”

Outman simply isn't hitting. Providing him with a change of scenery makes sense, and considering the Dodgers' excellent development system, his chances of returning to the MLB roster are good.

This post by Renee Dechert appeared first on Just Baseball.

Stay ahead of the game and elevate your sports betting experience with SportsGrid.
Corbin Carroll (2023 NL Rookie of the Year)
- 2023 numbers: .285/.362/.506; 133 wRC+; 54 SB; 25 HR; 5.4 fWAR
- 2024 numbers: .191/.281/.272; 63 wRC+; 8 SB; 2 HR; -0.2 fWAR
Just a few months ago, Corbin Carroll was the unanimous choice for NL Rookie of the Year and finished fifth in the NL Most Valuable Player voting. Now, as he struggles to get on base, it's hard to remember that electrifying rookie who hit home runs and stole bases with ease.

What happened?

Clearly, Carroll got off to a slow start. The rapid pace at which he moved through the Arizona Diamondbacks system, combined with an outstanding rookie season, ultimately impacted his development.

Early this season, both Carroll and Arizona's coaches opted to let him "ride it out" based on last year's performance. "He moved so fast through the system, he never really had the opportunity to try some different stuff and see what it means to work through something, especially in-season," D-backs hitting coach Joe Mather told Yahoo Sports. However, it soon became evident that intervention was necessary.

Since then, Carroll has been working with the D-backs coaches to adjust his swing—a notoriously difficult task during the season. Despite improving his swing metrics over the offseason, these changes negatively impacted his overall effectiveness.

There are also questions about whether Carroll's nagging shoulder issues have returned, though he insists they haven't. Nonetheless, for a D-backs team eager to get back on track, they are anxiously awaiting the return of the 2023 version of Corbin Carroll.

This post by Renee Dechert appeared first on Just Baseball.

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5 Noteworthy MLB Players Starting 2024 in a Sophomore Slump

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