Abreu trying to find his stride

Mamba · Apr 23, 2010

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Bobby Abreu insists he’s healthy. The Angels see no reason to doubt him.

But it’s been a rough start for Abreu, 36, and at this stage of his career, it’s hard to tell when the decline phase is beginning. Abreu was batting .222 entering Thursday night’s game. Against left-handed pitchers, he has had three hits in 25 at-bats.

Abreu said he sees no reason to worry at this point. He has traditionally been a somewhat slow starter, hitting .284 in the first month with a .440 slugging percentage. He has batted .299 overall in his 13-year career with a .491 slugging percentage.

“I’m struggling. There’s no doubt about it,” Abreu said. “I’m a little bit off in my mechanics, but physically I’m fine. I don’t make excuses.”

Abreu hit home runs in back-to-back games earlier this month, which might be where the problem started. He said he has been trying to pull the ball too frequently. Abreu has always been a line drive hitter who has occasionally hit the ball hard enough to drive it out of the park.

“That’s not me,” Abreu said. “I always go the other way. That’s what happened. I’m trying to go up the middle and to left field to get my rhythm back and I’ll be OK.”

It’s easier for the Angels to remain patient and leave Abreu in the No. 2 spot in the lineup because of his extreme plate discipline, but pitchers seem to be attacking him more this season. He has walked only three times in 15 games. Last year, he walked 94 times in 152 games.

“He certainly hasn’t hit stride,” manager Mike Scioscia said. “But he’s still working counts like he does. Bobby is going to get his hits to fall in, that’s for sure. Right now, he’s not where he will be.”
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http://espn.go.com/blog/los-angeles/angels/post/_/id/398/abreu-trying-to-find-his-stride

Mamba · Apr 23, 2010

I'm not worried about Bobby. He's got great plate discipline and great gap power. He, along with Pujols, are the only players to drive in 100 runs each of the past 7 years. Bobby will be fine, he had a hell of a night last night in the loss. I think this is just a case of being slow out of the gates.

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Abreu trying to find his stride

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