Padres manager optimistic Gyorko can rebound in 2015

Jedd Gyorko failed in 2014 to build on the success he enjoyed the season prior, his first in the major leagues, when he clobbered 23 home runs with a 113 OPS+ as a rookie with the San Diego Padres.

Gyorko stumbled in his sophomore campaign, managing a measly .280 on-base percentage with just 10 home runs over 111 games, and recently admitted that he tried to do too much to compensate for his team's struggles.

"I think I maybe put a little too much pressure on myself," Gyorko told MLB.com's Corey Brock. "We were struggling as a team. And I think all of us, not just myself, felt like we needed to come up with that big hit to get us going. It's hard to hit when you put that kind of pressure on yourself."

Despite Gyorko's regression last season, Padres manager Bud Black remains confident the 26-year-old more closely resembles the player who finished sixth in National League Rookie of the Year voting in 2013.

"We saw in 2013 what Jedd can be, and I think there's more to Jedd based on 2013," Black said. "I think last year there were a lot of factors that went into his season that he expected or adjusted to, but that is something he's hopefully learned from. It's a tough game. 

"You've got to work and stay on top of it. In that regard, I think he learned a lot."

Some of Gyorko's peripheral offensive statistics actually improved during his down year. Though his power dwindled considerably, he demonstrated a better understanding of the strike zone.