So you jumped on the sleeper talk and grabbed Chris Davis more than likely before the 10 round in your draft. He has supplied in the power although he still was short of the 40 homers many including myself thought he could hit as soon as this year. He is headed back to Triple-A though with his contact rate reaching epic lows.
In 258 ABs this year Davis has a 44.2% strikeout rate, which is by far the worst in the league of any hitter over 100 ABs. Since getting to Double-A Davis had never had a K% over 26.1% until reaching the majors, but still had a 29.8% rate. That isn't great, but acceptable for an elite type power hitter.
Something happened this season though and Davis was to much of a drag on a team who stands currently one game out of first in the AL West. His WAR of -0.8 could be the difference right now between first and second and the Rangers could not let him play it out like they would have if out of the playoff hunt.
It's interesting when you look at his strike zone recognition as he is swinging slightly less at pitches out of the zone(2008:37% 2009:35%) and more at pitches in the zone this year(2008:72% 2009:75%). When you look at his contact rates you see he has developed a problem with pitches in the zone. His contact rate out on pitches out of the zone is holding steady at 48%, but in the zone he went from 79% last year to 64%.
This is all good for understanding the problem, but is it fixable and what to do in for your team this year. If you have the space don't cut Davis yet. He still has great power numbers and has shown a better contact rate at the major league level for an extended period last year.
If he was your first baseman then your team is really going to suffer if you didn't have another option at a DH or UTIL spot. The first base waivers are light and you might have to go with a Ty Wiggington or Chris Duncan. At third base you still have Wigginton as an option or perhaps you can wait another week or so and take a shot on Alex Gordon coming off the DL if he is available in your league.
I am one of those fools that took him in the 6th round. I am in a 12 team keeper league where we bring back 8 players. I don't think I will keep him next year...but I agree that you can't dump him at this point. He could...maybe...possibly...get his confidence back and come back hitting bombs again. He is still young hopefully can put things back together.
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