Whiff.....

Mark Reynolds currently is hitting .282 with 18 HR’s and 47 RBI with 13 SB’s and 43 Runs Scored. That’s on pace for 44HR’s, 117 RBI. 32 SB’s and 107 Runs scored. That’s one hell of a rotisserie year and it is one hell of a MLB year.

But hold on a minute. Isn’t this the same Mark Reynolds that holds the dubious distinction of breaking a (I don’t want to be in the record books for that) record that had been standing for about 60 years?

Last year Mark was the first player since the 1950’s to have both the most strikeouts in MLB and also the most errors. (I think my little brother Peter did the same thing in little league – sorry Peter, told you I would get you back, you just didn't think it would tke 55 years...) Talk about hurting your team!

Ok, so the errors don’t go against his roto stats but last year he struck out 204 times (I think that’s now the record – Ryan Howard had 199 in 2007 and 2008) which translated to a .239 average. All of a sudden his last year’s stats of 28 Hr’s and 97 RBI don’t look so good. As a matter of fact, it’s Dave Kingman-like (not that there is anything wrong with that for all you King Kong fans).

Underlying his .282 BA this year is the fact that he already has 93 strikeouts and on pace to shatter his own mark of 204 from last year.

Mark’s BA will continue to drop and the pace of his HR’s RBI and Runs scored will as well. In most leagues he makes errors at both 1st and 3rd base hurting his team and costing them games (…… I mean he qualifies at both 1st and third base making his current stats even more attractive.)

I would trade Mark Reynolds now before his numbers start to slide as you will likely be able to command a hefty sum for him. If someone offers him to you as part of a trade you should whiff on him. (Get it? - I've been waiting this entire time to get that in.)

You can thank me for this advice now, or thank me later, just remember to be polite and say think you. His first half stats will not be duplicated, trade him or stay away like he has BO. – Blake Kearny

Blake Kearny is a retired baseball scout from Los Angeles, California. He currently runs a baseball school for children in Los Angeles.