5 most disappointing starts to the season for position players
A full month into the MLB season has provided us with a number of high-tier players failing to contribute at their expected level. Here are the top five position players who have been the biggest disappointments so far in 2015:
5. Mike Napoli - Boston Red Sox
| Player | PA | R | HR | RBI | SO | AVG/OBP/SLG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Napoli | 98 | 12 | 2 | 7 | 18 | .163/.265/.279 |
Mike Napoli was poised for a big season after undergoing offseason surgery to correct his sleep apnea, but the 33-year-old has appeared asleep at the plate to start the year. Napoli is hitting .136/.240/.273 with runners in scoring position and has six hits over his last 39 at-bats.
4. Victor Martinez - Detroit Tigers
| Player | PA | R | HR | RBI | SO | AVG/OBP/SLG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Martinez | 95 | 7 | 0 | 9 | 9 | .203/.316/.215 |
Victor Martinez has yet to look healthy this season coming off knee surgery. The Tigers plan to ride the 36-year-old out as he battles through soreness, but his .163/.240/.163 line over the past two weeks is a cause for concern. Coming off a year in which he blasted a career-high 32 home runs, Martinez has yet to hit one over the wall in 79 at-bats in 2015.
3. Carlos Gonzalez - Colorado Rockies
| Player | PA | R | HR | RBI | SO | AVG/OBP/SLG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gonzalez | 93 | 9 | 2 | 6 | 22 | .200/.258/.329 |
Another player coming off knee surgery, Rockies outfielder Carlos Gonzalez admitted late last month he's healthy, but not in a good place at the plate. The two-time All-Star has driven in just one run over his last 17 games, while amassing 19 strikeouts. CarGo has found little salvation at hitter-friendly Coors Field, slashing .143/.167/.286 with five hits and one home run in 35 at-bats.
2. Andrew McCutchen - Pittsburgh Pirates
| Player | PA | R | HR | RBI | SO | AVG/OBP/SLG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| McCutchen | 107 | 12 | 2 | 13 | 17 | .185/.280/.293 |
The Pirates' offense ranks among the league's worst early on and Andrew McCutchen is shouldering much of the blame. The perennial MVP candidate is 7-for-50 over the last two weeks and has just five extra-base hits through his first 25 games. At this point last season, McCutchen was hitting .315/.429/.520 with 10 doubles, four home runs and 26 walks.
1. Shin-Soo Choo - Texas Rangers
| Player | PA | R | HR | RBI | SO | AVG/OBP/SLG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Choo | 86 | 7 | 2 | 9 | 22 | .151/.267/.315 |
Shin-Soo Choo's disappointing 2014 season in Texas looks great compared to the start he's gotten off to this year. The 32-year-old - who has five years and $102 million remaining on his deal - has gone hitless in 12 of his 21 games this season and wrapped up the first month of the season hitting .096/.254/.173 with just two extra-base hits in 52 at-bats.