There have been quite a few struggling stars in the 2021 MLB season; but if we consider talent, track record, and sky-high expectations, New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor has been the most disappointing of them all.
Before Thursday’s doubleheader against the Colorado Rockies, Lindor was hitting .185/.294/.272 with three home runs and four stolen bases.
He was, also before Thursday’s action, hitless in his last 16 plate appearances.
The Mets really need him to get going, as they are going through a profound injury crisis.
Francisco Lindor received what I have to say are his heaviest boos to date as a Met after grounding into a double play in the fourth. Lindor is in a 6-for-39 (.154) funk.
Earlier today, GM Zack Scott compared Lindor's slow start to that of Carlos Beltrán in 2005: pic.twitter.com/CzYdFRoaBU
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) May 25, 2021
They are currently without several regulars in their lineup, such as J.D. Davis, Pete Alonso, Jeff McNeil, Brandon Nimmo, Kevin Pillar, and Michael Conforto.
If Lindor keeps struggling, the Mets offense will be extremely easy to dominate with all those absences.
Is there hope for the slumping shortstop?
Here are two reasons why Mets fans should not panic about Lindor.
2. He Is Still Hitting The Ball Hard Frequently
Lindor may be struggling to hit for both average and power in the early going, but it’s not because he isn’t hitting the ball hard.
In fact, since the Statcast era started in 2015, Lindor’s 42.2 percent hard-hit rate (balls hit at 95 mph or higher) is the best mark of his career.
That’s right: despite his statistical struggles, he is hitting the ball hard as often as ever, even more, to be exact.
The problem is that he is also hitting it on the ground.
Francisco Lindor:
(coming into today)14:13 K:BB
.181 BABIP (career low)
50.7% GB (highest since ‘15—50.8%)
64.2% Z-Swing (career low)
43.7% Swing (career low)
So…
Lindor is swinging less & hitting the ball on the ground half of the time he does swing & make contact.
— Fantasy Central (@FantasyCentral1) May 5, 2021
Lindor’s 49.6 percent ground ball rate is the highest since his rookie year.
His line-drive percentage of 13.6 is a career-worst.
Vintage Lindor hits the ball hard, but elevates it more frequently.
In general, ground balls are undesirable outcomes for hitters because they inflict little damage.
Doubles, triples, and home runs come with line drives and fly balls.
When Lindor proves he can make the adjustments to lift the ball a little more, he will get out of his slump.
1. He Has Been Too Good For Too Long
Of course, we can’t know for sure if he is going to be able to make the changes necessary to tap into his power, but his track record of success backs him.
It’s highly unlikely that a player who has a career line of .281/.343/.478 forgot how to hit when he is in his prime, at 27 years old.
It is hard to believe that a player who averaged 34 home runs per season between 2017 and 2019, his last full campaigns, can’t lift the ball anymore.
Lindor has a strong track record of recent success behind him that indicates he is likely to get going eventually, even if it takes a few more days or weeks.
We can’t forget about the human aspect of the problem: he is playing in a new city, in a big, demanding market that is particularly unforgiving to struggling stars.
And he signed a $341 million contract with the Mets before the start of the season, so he may be pressing too.
In any case, while fans’ worries are understandable, Lindor should be able to work through his issues.
It just has been harder than we all imagined.
NEXT: 3 New York Mets Saviors Other Than Francisco Lindor