When will Kosuke Fukudome break out his slump?

Question

He's hitting terrible in July. He's not patient at the plate like he was back in April.

Answer 1

All players go through a hitting slump at some point during the season and Fukudome is in one now.  He has demonstrated he can hit big league pitching so it is just a mater of time before he comes out of it.

Answer 2

Well for starters, Fukudome is a remarkably overrated (and overpaid) player, so your expectations are probably unrealistic. Also, his production has dropped in every month this season, so it's no surprise that his numbers have continued to drop in July. He also has more AB on the road this month and has been abysmal on the road all season, although his performance at home in July has been even worse than his terrible performance on the road. The bottom line is that he's not a very good player.

Contrary to what "cubsrock" said, Fukudome has not been significantly worse against lefties.

vs. Left -- .280 AVG, .371 OBP, .366 SLG

vs. Right -- .276 AVG, .380 OBP, .420 SLG

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CubsBear, I realize that you have an affection for Japanese players like Ichiro and Fukudome (especially when one is wearing a Cubs uniform), but they are both wildly overrated and overpaid. Fukudome made the All-Star team, and he's not even one of the ~25 best OF in the NL. He is an average player, and his contract will pay him $12M/year. That's not much less than is being paid to Derrek Lee or Aramis Ramirez, and they were both given generous contracts (and are far superior players). I realize that you've become accustomed to your team overpaying for players, but you should really compare Fukudome's contract to the contracts of players like Ryan Braun and Albert Pujols. Then you can tell me that Fukudome isn't overpaid.

Answer 3

You never know. Tommorow he can break out of it. Maybe in a week. Month. Who knows he could be in a slump the whole season it all depends. Lots of players go through slumps you just have to patient.

Answer 4

never, he's overrated

Answer 5

I think it may be that it isnt as hot in japan as it can be here. Also, theres not as much traveling, i think hes a little tired and because of his slump hes putting to much pressure on himself

Answer 6

The true Fukudome is coming out. I agree with Mechanic (thats a miracle) that he is extremely overrrated. Just wait until Dumpster pitches like he used to!!

Answer 7

He probably will in a week or two  maybe in september

Answer 8

I'm not sure. I just think pitchers figured out how to pitch to him. He's got to adjust.

And I haven't been impressed at all at the way he bats against lefties. They make him look completely and utterly stupid!

Mechanic: Thanks for digging that statistic up, I wasn't aware of that. He SEEMS much worse against lefties. Especially ones that have a really nasty slider, he looks horrible swinging at it and comes nowhere close to hitting it while simulatneously doing a 360 in the batter's box.

Answer 9

Everyone expiriances slumps. Some people know how to break it up. Some people don't. Maybe just a flaw in his swing atm. Or maybe people figured him out. Otherwise someone has to adjust.

Answer 10

Lou should sit his a$$ on the bench for a while.  He says he looks like a tired player, so some time off might do him some good.  Often times we cry out when someone deserving was left off the all-star team.  This is the exact opposite situation.  Fukudome is easily the most overrated ballplayer I've seen in a while.  To see all the chumps at Wrigley wearing his jersey like he's some sort of demigod is insane.  His numbers are thoroughly average, .276, 7HRs, 36RBIs.  Soriano is the guy we need back, fast.

Answer 11

He just needs to have some good at-bats, and he'll be fine.

Answer 12

Fukudome is not an overrated player as mechanic stated.  He's a very solid fielder.  As for offensively, this game is all about adjustments.  Pitchers have made an adjustment to him and now it's up tp him to make adjustments right back.  He's already proven he can hit consistently at the beginning of the season.  He's just in a little funk right now.  He's still facing pitchers he's never faced before and he needs to figure them out.  He also helps the team out in other ways.  He works the count on pitchers and makes sure he sees all of their pitches, this also helps other players on his team to get a good look at how and what the pitcher throws.  So while he may not be having the greatest month or so offensively he still helps the team tremendouslyin other aspects of the game.