 |
| Fielder won NL Player of the Week for April 3rd through the 10th |
There are just some things that I got used to in the month of April. The weather slowly gets nicer, classes are coming down to the end as I scramble to boost my grades my up, and Prince Fielder struggles out the gate. The first five full seasons of Fielder's professional career always seemed to be stuck in neutral for the beginning part of the season. This year things have changed in April at least for Fielder as he has began the season hotter than any first baseman in the Major Leagues.
Fielder's first ten games have been stunning for an usual slow starter. Right now, Fielder is hitting .400 with a .488 on-base percentage, and .686 slugging percentage. Also this only began in the third game against Atlanta where Prince had a four RBI day. It's not like Prince is going on an absolute homer tear either, he is spraying the ball to all parts of the baseball field. At least in my opinion, it is a calculated risk for opposing teams to have a shift for Fielder. He is not pulling the ball as much anymore plus his early numbers against lefties have been outstanding.
When Fielder is playing at this level, he is damn near impossible to figure out as an opposing pitcher. Brett, a Cubs fan watched the game with me on Sunday and tried to tell the TV to not pitch Prince inside. Once, Geovanny Soto positioned himself on Prince's inner half, Brett sighed knowing to expect the worst on the next pitch. Brett knew Prince was hitting that pitch out of Miller Park, which he did, contributing to a 6-5 Brewers win on Sunday night.
I know baseball is a long season, and Prince will not stay hot for the entire year. His usual April slump might get replaced by two miserable weeks in July because baseball is a long season and all about streaks. But right now, I am going to enjoy Prince getting off to a monster start.
-Charlie.
