Following a rough stretch after the All-Star break, Brewers rookie infielder Joey Ortiz has found his groove again after a difficult July and shaky start to August.
Ortiz’s struggles began when a neck injury sidelined him for 10 days in July. Though he returned to the lineup, the Brewers felt the impact of his absence as Ortiz’s power seemingly vanished. Even after recovering, his performance remained subpar, with Ortiz going 7-for-50 between July 20 and August 4, tallying just two extra-base hits. By early August, he was carrying a dismal .387 OPS.
The Brewers’ off day between series in Washington and Georgia provided a much-needed reset. When the team arrived in Georgia on August 6, Ortiz’s production started to pick up again. Since then, his performance has stabilized, though not quite at the level he or the team might have hoped. Over the last five weeks, Ortiz has posted a .238/.336/.419 slash line, with a notable surge in September, where he’s hitting .296/.424/.519. His recent power surge signals a return to form reminiscent of his strong first half.
What changed for Ortiz? It all started with his swing, which completely fell apart during his late July slump. Known for his raw bat speed, Ortiz struggled to maintain it after the All-Star break, leading to a prolonged dip in his swing efficiency. Even experienced hitters go through slumps, but for a banged-up rookie like Ortiz, it was especially tough.
Ortiz’s focus shifted from swing speed to making solid contact. During his slump, he struggled to square up the ball, one of the worst stretches for any hitter this season. Recognizing this, Ortiz worked hard throughout August to rebuild his swing mechanics and approach at the plate, slowly regaining his ability to handle big-league pitching.
The results are starting to show. Ortiz’s plate discipline remains strong, and he’s once again creating damage on contact. A heat map comparing his exit velocity from his slump to his recent resurgence reveals a remarkable improvement. Ortiz has expanded his ability to cover the entire plate with authority, whereas earlier in the season, he primarily thrived on pitches left belt-high over the inner third.
While it remains uncertain whether Ortiz will move up in the batting order, particularly against right-handed pitchers, his return to form has undoubtedly strengthened the bottom of the Brewers’ lineup. His resurgence has sparked rallies for the hitters at the top of the order, adding a new level of danger to the Brewers’ offense.
Ortiz’s resilience throughout this season has been impressive, and as the postseason approaches, he’s primed to perform like a seasoned veteran. His ability to overcome adversity and bounce back at such a pivotal moment is exactly what the Brewers need as they make their playoff push.
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