RADIO
Jonathan Villar Searches For 2016 Performance
7 years agoJonathan Villar had such a drop-off in performance from one season to the next that few can match. There were big expectations for Villar after a 2016 season where he produced 19 home runs and 62 stolen bases. However, poor hitting led to inconsistent playing time resulting in 11 HR, 23 SB, and a .241 average in 2017. His walks decreased, 6.9 base on balls percentage, while his strikeouts rose to a career worst 30.3 strikeout percentage. Another great cause for concern was Villar’s weak contact, as his soft contact percentage increased to a terrible 27%. Of batters with 400 plate appearances, Villar had the highest soft contact percentage in the entire league. Soft contact combined with a 57.4% ground-ball rate is not a path to success. There is no guarantee that Villar will have a starting job once the season starts. The primary option for him will be at second base, but he will have to work hard during spring training to secure that role. He enters the season with second base and center field eligibility. Villar will be drafted near round 15 by individuals who want to invest in the possibility that he can return value near his 2016 performance. Only take this risk once you are comfortable that the rest of your starting roster is set.
