The Oakland A’s want a number of gamers to rebound if they’ll return to the postseason in 2021. Ought to they’ve hope for Stephen Piscotty?
The Oakland A’s offense upset in 2020. Quite a few gamers carried out under expectations, with the offense a disappointment all through many of the season. With an excessive amount of turnover anticipated this offseason, the A’s will want these gamers to rebound in the event that they need to contend within the coming 12 months.
One of many largest disappointments of the 12 months was Stephen Piscotty. He was wholesome coming into 2020, seemingly primed for a rebound after a lackluster 2019 season. As a substitute, he produced a disappointing .226/.271/.358 batting line with 5 homers and 6 doubles in his 171 plate appearances.
That lack of manufacturing continued within the postseason. Piscotty had only one hit in seven plate appearances as he was relegated to the bench for many of the playoffs. The hope that he would be capable of return to kind in Oakland has seemingly run out.
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His hitting metrics would seem to again up that pessimistic viewpoint. Piscotty posted the worst barrel fee of his profession in 2020, and his 88.1 MPH exit velocity was his second lowest mark. He ranked within the backside fifth of the league in anticipated on base proportion, strikeout fee, stroll fee, and whiff proportion. Not solely was Piscotty not hitting the ball, however he was not making laborious contact when he did.
However the A’s must hope for higher. He’s signed for one more two years at a complete of $16.17 million, assuming his $15 million staff choice for 2023 is purchased out. The A’s are a staff in flux, with a gap of their outfield and the necessity for somebody to step up within the lineup.
Presumably, that might be Piscotty. He had a superb 22 sport run from August 12 via September 12 the place he produced a .288/.321/.475 batting line, hitting 4 homers and three doubles over his 84 plate appearances. It’s not outdoors the realm of risk that he may produce at that stage over a full season as that batting line is much like his manufacturing in 2016 and 2018.
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The Oakland A’s are hoping that Stephen Piscotty can flip his fortunes round in 2021. If that doesn’t occur, he might not have that lengthy of a leash.
