I wish I knew what exactly to say about Rafael Furcal, but I don't. Clearly he is not the same player right now.
He's vital to the Dodgers offense and he just hasn't been able to get going. Is it the back that he had surgery on last spring? Is it that he's 31? Is he healthy, other than the back? So many questions and so few answers.
I can tell you he looks antsy and unsettled at the plate, but beyond that all I know is that he is a far cry from the brief glimpse of 2008, the two previous years with the Dodgers and the player that has been dynamic for nine seasons prior.
His batting average dipped to .239 after another 0-for against the Phillies on Thursday night. He's currently slugging .294 and his on base percentage is .302.
This is from a guy who's career numbers are .285/.350/.408. He's slugging more than 100 points less while his average and on-base are about 50 points less.
He also has just three stolen bases, although he is a guy that averages 35 per 162 games.
He doesn't have a hit in his last 11 at-bats, he's only got six hits since May 23 and he's driven in only two runs since that time.
So to make up for his lackluster performance at the plate, he's playing great defense, right?
Nope.
His seven errors are third most among all MLB shortstops and his .964 fielding percentage is fifth worse. By contrast, Juan Castro has not committed an error and is hitting .326. I'm not saying that Castro should take Furcal's job, but certainly he is more effective right now. Furcal has to get things figured out soon.
To me, it looks like he's expanding the strike zone too much. He's on pace to strike out about 100 times, which is too many. He's not as patient as the rest of the hitters, and he swings at way too many bad balls. He also needs to cut down on his swing a little bit, until he gets going at least.
He's going to be vital to this team in its run for a World Series crown, and right now I am very, very worried about him.
WTF Raffi? No clue and no answers from me on this one!
he is playing a big part in this recent offensive slump...pierre is cooling off and furcal isnt helping by never being on base...he just looks all tied up in knots...
I'm wasted from Friday happy hour and still couldnt stop watching them bums until the game was over and DAMN THESE BOYS DONT QUIT!!!!!!! I LOVE THESE GUYS!!!! Way to show up when we need you Andre!