Hurry back Soriano

Add comment July 2nd, 2008

 

In early May when Alfonso Soriano was struggling at the lead-off spot, fans and media alike were screaming for a change. Of course, everyone looked at Kosuke Fukudome’s on-base percentage and walk-to-strikeout ratio as the answer at lead-off. And even when Soriano did finally find his form, it was argued that Fukudome would still be better suited at top.

Well, with Soriano and Reed Johnson on the DL, the time finally came for Fukudome to prove he’s the answer at lead-off.

Maybe not so much.

After 11 games (not counting two he missed with a calf injury), the Fukudome we’ve come to know and love over the last three months has taken a turn.

His batting and OBP averages are down and his walk-to-strikeout ratio is heavy on the strikeout side:

Fukudome batting fifth: .319 BA (193 at bats, 61 hits), 38:32 walk-to-strikeout ratio, .427 OBP 

Fukudome batting first: .267 BA (45 at bats, 12 hits), 7:16 walk-to-strikeout ratio, .377 OBP (also, the Cubs are 4-7)

When it comes down to it, Soriano is the best lead-off option for the Cubs. He is hitting .297 at the top compared to Fukudome’s .267, Reed Johnson’s .227, Ryan Theriot’s .176 and Eric Patterson’s .118. The good news is that Soriano’s comeback is close, which means Fukudome can return to productivity at the fifth spot…or even be sent to the unknown at the two-hole.