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Ellsbury "Coming Into His Own?"

Evan BrunellMay 26, 2009

Entering Thursday, Jacoby Ellsbury had a 22-game hitting streak.

But even during a stretch where Ellsbury has been red-hot, the power is not really showing.

Ells has hit .330/.365/.418 during the first 22 games of the chase for Dimaggio. And over a stretch where a player has a hit in each and every game, the slugging percentage should probably be higher than what it has been. But that slugging percentage is an unimpressive .418.

Now Jacoby doesn't have to hit 25 home runs to be an effective big-leaguer.  He just needs to play good defense at an up-the-middle position, get on base, and steal some bags while on...without getting caught much of course.

It just seems like maybe the power should be a little more, well, powerful over a 22-game hitting streak.  These streaks are examples of cherry-picking at its best.  However, they generally contain a player doing very well within the streak itself.  And Ellsbury has been effective, and has reached base a good amount of the time.

I am just concerned that he will never develop any kind of power.  Although, watching him recently, he definitely showed some pop in that bat, hitting a few balls well, that turned into outs (in addition to the two actual hits that he had of course).

With the potential to win a "Fielding Bible" Award, or two (Gold Gloves if you prefer), the awesome ability on the basepaths, and the ability to hit for average, what is the minimum power supply that we need from Ellsbury to live up to expectations?

Curious as to what you all think.  Expressing it in the form of sluging percentage would be most relevant.