Michael Young has struggled like he never has before this season, putting up career-low numbers offensively, pretty much across the board. His batting average (.269) is the second-lowest it's ever been, other than his first full season as a big-leaguer. His on-base percentage (.299) is the lowest it's ever been as a full-timer. Same goes for slugging percentage and OPS.
He's basically turned into a singles and groundball hitter and has his second-highest total of double plays grounded into (23) this season. It's been a really rough year at the dish for Young, and even though he'd never admit it, he has to realize it.
But over his last 13 games, Young has picked things up a bit, hitting .288 with three home runs and 12 RBIs, slugging .500 with a .796 OPS. In Thursday's game, Young racked up three hits and drove in two runs — though all his hits were singles. Even still, they were all singles to his sweet spot — right-center field. When Young is going to the other way with his inside-out swing, you know he's feeling good.
Could that be a good sign moving forward that Young could be coming out of his season-long slump just in time for the final stretch of the season and the playoffs? We can only hope.
