In Focus: Mitch Nay

This expression means: "Pitchers beware."

Playing at Fifth Third Field in Dayton on April 29th, third baseman Mitch Nay supplied his seventh double of the season.

As it happened, Nay's next double, his eighth of 2014, also came at Fifth Third Field... on May 31st.  It was a remarkable powerless stretch for a batter noted for his power.  The stretch looks even more remarkable now considering the doubles timeline for Nay since:

June 7, June 8, June 10, June 21, June 24, June 26, June 28, June 30, July 2, July 9, July 10, July 11, July 12, July 14, July 27 (2 doubles, ending a mini-slump), July 28, August 2, August 3, August 5, August 6, August 7.

That's rather a busy schedule of bashing, especially when considering that these doubles have been line shots, cracking off the bat and sizzling deep into the alleys in left-center (and on occasion to right).

A brief table:

April:  25 games, 93 at-bats, 7 doubles, .387 slugging pct.
May:  29 games, 116 at-bats, 1 double, .310 slugging pct.
June:  22 games, 82 at-bats, 8 doubles, .439 slugging pct.
July:  27 games, 116 at-bats, 9 doubles, .353 slugging pct.
August:  7 games, 28 at-bats, 5 doubles, .714 slugging pct.

You can understand why I'm inspired now to write about Mitch Nay and doubles -- the Arizonan has gone on a tear to end July and start this month.  It's been awesome to witness.

Doubles are a fine place to start with any young hitter, since doubles at a young age are believed to be an indication of home runs at an older age.  As a batter gains more experience and strength, line drives to the wall begin soaring over the wall.  It's especially important to keep in mind with Nay, who plays his home games at the pitcher-friendly Cooley Law School Stadium:

Nay at home:  54 games, 208 ABs, .260 avg., 10 doubles, 0 HR, .327 slugging pct.
Nay on the road:  56 games, 227 ABs, .308 avg. 20 doubles, 3 HR, .445 slugging pct.

(Don't believe the West Michigan Whitecaps; it's tough to hit in Lansing, Michigan.)

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As things stand, no current Lugnut is separating himself as a prospect more than Mitch Nay.  This is a big-time hitter in the making.