Could it be that the San Diego Padres have a hitter worth starting besides Adrian Gonzalez?
I’m here to tell you that they do, and that man’s name is Chase Headley.
Headley was a forgotten man this preseason, buried towards the bottom of most experts’ third base rankings. The Padres former top prospect was a hot name to know 2008, but after two disappointing seasons many people started to write him off.
Now we are two weeks into the 2010 season and Headley has a new status: post-hype sleeper.
Through 13 games, Headley is batting .353 with 10 runs scored, one home run, seven RBI, and two stolen bases. He’s also sporting a nifty .901 OPS.
One could simply call this a hot start, but I’m more inclined to believed that Headley is starting to reach his potential because of his declining strikeout rate and increased contact percentage. Last year, Headley struck out 24.5 percent of the time, but this year he is striking out a lot less, a mere 11.8 percent of the time. It’s no surprise then that Headley has increased his contact percentage to 81.9 percent, which is better than the league average.
Headley should continue to hit for a high average because he’s finally playing third base, his natural position, instead of splitting time in left field. In 2009, he batted .287 in games started at third base as opposed to only .251 in games started in left field.
Headley also has the pleasure of batting cleanup for the Padres behind Adrian Gonzalez, which should provide plenty of RBI opportunities. In addition to being a good source for RBIs, Headley has 20-home run and double-digit steal potential considering he stole 10 bases last year and hit 20 home runs in the minors in 2007.
If Headley is able to continue his pace and hit for a good average with above average power and double digit steals, he has a chance to finish as a top-12 third baseman ahead of guys like Chipper Jones, Chris Davis and Adrian Beltre.
I don’t know about you, but I would much rather have a 25-year old third baseman entering his prime than a third baseman from yesteryear.
No comments yet.