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Yadier Molina Looking More Comfortable at the Plate

By Nic Moody

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St Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina has had a very hot and cold season at the plate.

After having three consecutive seasons with a batting average above .300, Molina fell off in 2014 by batting .282. Granted, Molina was injured for part of the 2014 season, but you could tell something wasn’t quite right.

Molina started out the 2015 campaign with a slow start, but was able to get the bat going in mid-May to boost his average into the .300 range, but fell off once again in July. Molina has found a resurgence over the last few games, in other words, Molina looks like his 2011-2013 self again. He is now batting .282 this season, and had a home run two games in a row in the Giants series. (one into Big Mac Land) Molina is also striking out less, and has more confidence at the plate, something that is obvious from his body language. Molina is still a good hitter, as he has been for the last few years, but what has changed is the increase in power we’re seeing from him, as well as his overall swing. His swing just looks better.

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Molina has had to shorten his swing up a lot this year to compensate for the struggling batting numbers. This helps Molina keep his average up, but shortens his power numbers quite significantly. (doubles, triples, home runs)

Molina only had two home runs going into the series against the Giants. Two games later, Molina now has doubled that mark to four. Molina had 14 home runs in 2011, and 22 in 2012, so the numbers are still way down. (Molina had only 7 home runs last year, but again, he was injured)

Molina had a three hit night game against San Francisco a few nights ago. He was the only Cardinal player that night to have more than one hit. I again will mention, Molina looks way more confident at the plate.

Molina’s resurgence of power comes at a wonderful time for the Cardinals. With multiple injuries adding up, (players like Holliday, Adams, Grichuk) the Cardinals need someone to step up and provide additional power heading into the final month of the season.

Its worth noting that with Molina’s increased batting numbers, joined together with his impeccable defensive numbers, every game you watch Molina play in will likely be history. He is a sure  future Hall of Fame member.

Next: St. Louis Cardinals Option Tyler Lyons to Triple-A Memphis, Recall Greg Garcia

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