In this young season for the Arizona Diamondbacks, centerfielder Chris Young is having himself quite the start to the season. After hitting .400 in Cactus league play with five homers, he has continued his torrid pace. After six games, he is hitting .364. Six of his eight hits have been for extra bases, including three homers and seven RBI. He has gotten a hit in each of Arizona's six games this season.
We have seen hot stretches for Young in the past, but he would cool off considerably. After looking so promising in so many ways when he first came up, Young has pretty much shown everyone that he is a great defensive player with great power potential, but he would never hit for average. He would pop up a lot of balls and strike out plenty as well.
However, he does come up big in big moments.
What is different this year is that he is making much better contact. In each season since 2007, he has struck out at least 130 times, including 165 in 2008.
While the season is young, he has struck out only four times in six games, which projects right now to just over 100 Ks on the season. He is keeping his hands up a little higher in an attempt to pop out less. It has worked so far.
With Young's quick start, the Diamondbacks have been able to weather the early offensive struggles of teammate and friend Justin Upton, who has only two hits in 15 at-bats and has not driven in a run.
Chris' hits have been timely. Two of his three homers gave the team the lead and his third gave them a needed insurance run in Thursday's game against the Padres.
At some point, Young is going to cool down. No one really thinks he is going to hit .350. But if Arizona, who is already 5-1, can get Upton and Young both swinging a good bat, this offense really could be something to watch.
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