New York Yankees DH Edwin Encarnacion is getting hot and rounding back into form just when the Bombers need him to make an impact most.
It’s been just over one month since the New York Yankees made the surprise trade to acquire power-hitting righty, Edwin Encarnacion. It was a bumpy road for a while, but he’s suddenly getting back into form.
Coming out of the All-Star break, the Yankees find themselves with the best record in the entire Major Leagues. They have a season-high 10 -game lead in the division, and one of their best hitters is only now beginning to ride a hot streak.
Though Encarnacion struggled mightily during the three weeks leading up to the All-Star game, he’s been on a tear since the second half of the season began. It’s a small sample size, but the 36-year-old has been one of the hottest hitters in a potent Yankees lineup.
In the eight games since the All-Star break, Encarnacion has been on fire. He’s slashing .300/.382/.767 with four home runs and14 RBIs. What’s most impressive is that he’s boasting an incredible .452 wOBA and a 187 wRC+ over that span. Both of those are second-best on the Yankees in those games only to Aaron Judge, who is doing his share of damage as well.
Compare that to his first 16 games in the Bronx. Over that span, Encarnación was slashing a brutal .123/.208/.338 with just four home runs and seven RBIs. His wOBA (.233) and wRC+ (39) were unbearable.
What is nice to see about Encarnacion’s recent resurgence has obviously been the long ball. He’s finally hitting home runs again. Even throughout a prolonged slump that lasted almost a month, Encarnación was still piecing together lengthy at-bats. If you’re failing to reach base, at least try to make the pitcher work.
But now, it seems that slump is behind him. Playing at home helps to add to the home run total—which is now up to 29 on the season—and some of them have come in some crucial situations. His grand slam against the Colorado Rockies gave the Bronx Bombers the lead on Friday. His two-homer game against the Rays proved he was on his way to getting back into form.
The Bronx Zoo loves its parrot.
(MLB x @PapaJohns) pic.twitter.com/12sTUSIud9
— MLB (@MLB) July 20, 2019
The Yankees lineup is incredibly deep. We know that. Even just being on the team a month, Encarnacion is an integral part of the best offense in baseball. Despite all of the big names and run producers, the Yankees will need him if a deep playoff run is in the future.
Fortunately for them, it appears the parrot will be taking strolls around the bases more often as Encarnacion heats up.