By Steven Inman
In an article by Dan Martin of the New York Post, Daniel Murphy has been working on a new swing since the offseason in an effort to gain some more power. Sandy Alderson said over the winter that while he has been impressed with the improvements Murphy has made defensively over the last year or so, Alderson has been surprise with the lack of power that Murphy has displayed. Murphy hopes the new swing will change that. “I think I’m hitting the ball with more author
ity, especially to the middle of the field. It allows me to stay on the ball longer and the desire is to turn singles into doubles and maybe doubles into home runs.” Murphy said in the article.
Murphy is a very underrated hitter and the Mets need to be careful not to tinker with Murphy too much. The last thing this team needs right now is for one of their only consistent hitters to get off to a slow start because he’s getting used to a new swing. Terry Collins hopes to get Murphy back into a game sometime by the end of the week.
Murphy has been working hard with his younger brother Jonathan Murphy who is an outfielder in the Twins system on perfecting the new swing. Murphy notes that Chase Utley made a similar change in his swing a few years ago that gave him more power. Whether Murphy improves on the power a lot or not, expect a big year from the 27-year old.
Because of his talent as a hitter (mostly singles and doubles), toughness and strong work ethic, I am one of what I believe to be is a large contingency of Mets fans that all want to see Dan Murphy succeed and establish himself as a consistently above average payer at the plate and at second base. However, with Jordany Valdespin’s emergence this spring he could play second as well if not the OF. They both hit left handed so a platoon at second is out of the question. Again, something has to give in the Mets OF or at second if Valdespin continues to surge as a hitter with power. How to you see the OF and regular second base situation coming together by April 1st for the Mets?
Well Murph is the second basemen for sure Mike. Im very skeptical that Valdespin could play an average second base on a daily basis so then you would say who is the better hitter Valdespin or Murphy. I dont think thats a question. I think Valdespin makes the team as an outfielder. Whether that works out or not thats another question. If Valdespin struggles it could open up an oppurtunity for Matt Den Dekker sometime after the season starts. Thanks as always Mike, and if you ever have a question for a post or a comment always feel free to let me know.
wow, awesome blog article.Really looking forward to read more. Awesome.