Milt Thompson is perhaps the best batting coach in baseball. The dude has the Phillies operating as one of the most disciplined and best hitting teams so far in this young 2008 Major League Baseball season—and that is without the usually torrid hitting of superstar Ryan Howard.
Even as opposing teams' shifts are swallowing Howard's line drives, the slugging first baseman has walked 21 times in his first 114 at-bats this season. That is a BB/PA ratio of .18.
Howard’s batting average is an anemic, not worth a cup of coffee .167, but the walks plus his six taters this year, still give the Ryan-Man a respectable OPS of .645.
When he starts hitting, and he will, his OPS will match his outstanding career number of .980.
Thompson has the Phillies’ batsmen batting only .250, yet they are still productive with an OBP of .328 and an OPS of .768. The team's high OPS is due to the teams plate discipline as illustrated by a walk ratio of .11.
I am predicting that the BA will come up to about .270 for the season with an OBP of .370 and will lead the NL in home runs with 250.
Thompson one of the few DC natives in MLB may become a future MLB manager.
So Nats, if Manny leaves for the Mets next year, give the man an interview.
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