In yesterday’s start against Cub’s lefty Travis Wood, Lucas Duda continued to thrive against southpaws.
Duda hit a double and a single in three at-bats off of Wood, who’s held left handed batters to a .216 average during his career.
Duda now has his slash line up to .410/.452/.615 with two home runs against lefties in 39-bats.
However, Duda’s splits against right handed pitchers have declined, but hitting coach Kevin Long isn’t worried. (Mike Vorkunov of NJ.com)
“I think it’s just a freakish thing,” Mets hitting coach Kevin Long said. “I’m not putting any big evidence into that. Like, now Duda can’t hit righties? That’s probably not the case. I wouldn’t go there.”
Duda is batting .244 with only one home run against right handed pitchers this year.
In 2014, he had a .915 OPS with 28 home runs against them.
“It’s just a small sample,” he said. “I’m just glad he’s hitting lefties. With all the work that was big for him.”
Thoughts:
I think a lot of people were too quick to write off Duda’s ability against lefties. The endless stream of posts on some sites railing against Duda improving were way over the top, and none considered his determination and hard work.
A player who has displayed the type of power, patience and discipline at the plate that Duda has, should be given every opportunity to succeed before being considered as a platoon player.
He just simply needed more time to make some adjustments, and the results are now paying off.
Duda needs to be starting everyday. With John Mayberry batting .120 against southpaws, he shouldn’t be taking away anymore at-bats from the Mets slugging first baseman.
