When Did Aramis Turn Into Garrett?

[bigwords]

Aramis Ramirez used to be a very high contact hitter with few walks. Between 2005-2007, he averaged a phenomenal 63 strikeouts. Yet he walked only less than 8% of the time. He always had a good average (over .300 three of the last four years) and a good-but-not-great on-base percentage (.358 over the last three years).

This year, he's become a completely different player. Still enormously valuable but a lot more like Garrett Atkins than Carlos Lee. He's already walked 25 times this year, putting him on pace for 100. He's more than doubled his walk rate. And in turn, he's striking out more. He's got 27 so far, so that would put him over 100 for the first time in his career. His average is down (about .280 at this moment), but his OBP is WAY up (.411).

Thanks to the strong Cubs lineup, he's on pace for 117 runs and 105 RBIs.

I guess I find this guy a statistical curiosity. The fact that he's having a very good season, nothing unusual, probably leads people to overlook the [i]type[/i] of season he's having. He completely changed his approach at the plate. Or did he? I guess we'll have to wait and see.

[ab]

I've noticed the same thing about him this year. But it's not just him. The entire Cubs lineup is walk-crazy this year. Derosa is on pace for about 80, which would far exceed anything he's ever approached. Soto is walking slightly more than expected, Fukudome is doing what everyone thought he would, but is still going to walk over 100 times. Why can't Soriano take note?

[Ursa]

Why can't Soriano take note?

Because he's finally got back into the HR mode we all know and love.

[DaShiz23]

I've noticed this too, and couldnt be happier. This will help a ton at the end of the year. Now, if only we can start hitting liners to the opposite field!
GO CUBS!

[jondunc]

There was an article in SI a few weeks ago about this. They attributed it to Fukodome's approach rubbing off. I remember at the time thinking that was a pretty major stretch, but maybe there's something to it. Can one guy affect all the other hitters on his team like that?

[knapplc]

Maybe it's a combination of Fukudome and Lou telling the guys to get on base any way they can, and after a few months of Fukudome and a year of Lou, it's finally sinking in.

[TBallgame]

The Dusty Baker affect is finally gone from the Cubs lineup. Lou has made the whole team much more patient with the help of Fukudome

[DaShiz23]

GO CUBS GO!!!

[dipset]

Is it me or is ramirez MUCH smaller than last year...maybe the strikeout rate is up and avg is down becuase he is off steroids?

[DeadWinterDay]

I dont know whats with all the walks and everything, but this Cubs team sure is clogging up the bases.