This is from ESPN Insider’s Scout’s Take, from an anonymous scout:
“# There are a couple of reasons Torii Hunter is having a difficult time at the plate this season. First, he has a long swing. In scout-speak, he hits around the ball a lot. And he’s prone to slumps because that swing is so long. Last year, it seems the Twins had more protection in the batting order for him. Also, I think the league caught up to him a bit this season, and he hasn’t done a very good job making adjustments on the breaking ball.”
It’s hard to argue with him, though this seems to be a bit of hindsight talking. Those who didn’t notice his weak walk rate last year, or disregarded it, were sure a star was being born. Instead we have here a good-fielding powerhitter. who doesn’t get on base all that much. But what really screws the fantasy pooch is the decline in stolen bases.