PHILADELPHIA – Just for argument’s sake, let’s say you were presented with the following situation:
Let’s say that, before this season started, someone handed you some final figures for Kaz Matsui. Say those figures said he’d hit .315. Say they told you he’d post a .371 on-base percentage. Say they assured he’d drive in a run every seven at-bats, a pace that projects to a final total of nearly 80 RBIs from your middle infielder.
No doubt you’d sign up for that production pretty quickly. Guess what? When Matsui’s batted second in the order this year, that’s what he’s done.
Very slowly, Matsui is beginning to open some eyes, as people are starting to realize that he’s finding his comfort zone. The Mets’ primary leadoff hitter until just a couple weeks ago, Matsui has been a different player since going to the two-spot.
“I don’t know why,” he said.
But in truth, it’s very easy to see. With Jose Reyes atop the order, Matsui has not had to lead off games. That’s allowed him to see more pitches before he comes to the plate, and he admits, “I think that is undeniable.” Matsui’s split numbers are almost staggering. As a leadoff hitter, he’s hit .229 with a .309 on-base percentage and a .355 slugging. He has just five homers and 17 RBIs in 231 at-bats there, poor overall numbers.
But in the two-spot? Night and day. Matsui has hit .315 with a .371 on-base and a .483 slugging. In 89 at-bats, he has two homers and 12 RBIs. Quite frankly, folks, that’s All-Star production.
It is yet another example of just how much Reyes’ return has helped the Mets. By taking over the leadoff position, Reyes has allowed Matsui to slide into the two hole and become a more productive hitter. Interestingly, Reyes appears to thrive more in the two hole as well. Last year he hit .300 with a .333 OBP in the leadoff spot, .362 with a .400 OBP in the two-hole.
Meanwhile, Matsui’s first-half numbers are suddenly looking pretty decent. His average was up to .264 and he had seven homers, 30 RBIs, 12 steals, 23 doubles and 55 runs entering last night. That projects to final totals of nearly 15 homers, 60 RBIs, 25 steals, 45 doubles and 110 runs scored – pretty nifty totals from a top-of-the-order hitter and middle infielder who’s also a rookie learning the league for the first time.
Matsui insists he doesn’t have any personal statistical milestones, but he couldn’t deny that scoring 100 runs would be welcome.
“That would be nice, yes,” he said.
The way he’s been going, Matsui should clear that bar easily. He’s been on an absurd run-scoring pace lately, scoring 12 times in his last six games.
“He’s a scoring machine,” manager Art Howe said. “When he gets on, he just finds a way to step on home plate.”
In those six games, five of them have come in the two spot, and in fact, Matsui has hit second in 10 of his last 11 games and scored a total of 14 runs. Clearly, the spot in the order is agreeing with him, though Howe credits another factor for his surge.
“I think it more coincides with the big crowds he’s playing in front of,” the manager said, noting the sellout crowds for the Subway Series and the packed house in Philadelphia. “He likes to perform. He likes showing people what he can do.”
“I definitely think [the big crowds helped],” Matsui said. “Playing in Yankee Stadium, I had a focused mindset in those games.”
Second thoughts
Kaz Matsui’s numbers this year while batting leadoff and second in Mets’ lineup:
LEADOFF NO. 2 HOLE
ABs 231 89
AVG. .229 .315
OBP .309 .371
SLG .355 .483
HRs 5 2
RBIs 17 12
