Fielder's Slow Start

[KevinWI]

I read this thread about Fielder being angry about not getting a bigger contract, and everytime I watch him at-bat this season, I get this gut feeling that he's pulling a Gary Sheffield and trying to get traded.

He hasn't hit any home runs yet, which is un-Fielder-esque. I know that opposing pitchers have a lot to do with it, but he's also had some errors while on defense too. Not to mention, in one game (I forgot which, sorry) he hit a double and while running past the Brewers dugout kind of turned and gave the whole dugout a dirty look.

Hopefully, he's just taking a while to get back into the 'swing' (pun alert) of things, but I have this gut feeling he's trying to get traded.

[NJMetfan4life]

I think he's just re-adjusting. No doubt the contract upset him, but I wouldn't insult him that much to compare him to Sheffield. He also became a vegitarian, he might be lacking a little bit of power because of it, but I would bet that he will hit from 35-60 HRs this year, I know it's a big gap; but that will be about right.

[brewcrew82]

I think (well I hope) that Prince's slow start is just that, a slow start. He's having a power shortage to start the year. All players have them throughout the season, he's just having his now. I have readsomewhere, last year he went 18 games without a homerun and also had a streak of 13 games without a homerun.
I would hate to think there is anything more sinister going on, like him pulling a Sheffield on us.

I honestly believe he's experiencing what Detroit are at the moment...a slow start.

[KevinWI]

Hey everybody,

I've got some sort of good news about Prince's lack of offense at the moment.

I looked it up on baseball-reference.com, and at this point last year (I used April 21st, 2007), Prince had only hit two home runs, so, only hitting one at this point in 2008 isn't even that bad.

I am so happy after discovering this!

Link to Prince's 2007 game log (with important parts highlighted)

[brewcrew82]

Good find! Whilst it's frustrating to see that he is in a bit of slump, it's good to see it isn't dissimilar to the monster year he had last year.

With Prince struggling, all I can say is thank goodness for Billy Hall.

[KevinWI]

Corey Hart has been good on the Brewers' offense too. He isn't hitting the long ball like Billy, but he's got a good on base percentage, and slugging percentage, and has the second highest batting average of the Brewers' everyday players (behind Kendall).

[brewcrew82]

Hart's been good, Kendall and Kapler have been a pleasant surprises.
Bill Hall is the only one to really step up in the clutch situation, with Braun, Fielder and Weeks struggling for the most part, and even Hall is having trouble getting on base with a .233 obp.

I really wish this team would start firing.

[riverhawk]

The silver lining to this situation is that they are still 11-7, and only a game out. Imagine what will happen when they start firing on all cylinders.

[Extra Innings]

I've got some sort of good news about Prince's lack of offense at the moment.

I looked it up on baseball-reference.com, and at this point last year (I used April 21st, 2007), Prince had only hit two home runs, so, only hitting one at this point in 2008 isn't even that bad.

Yea, remember Ryan Howard started out really slow after his MVP season. It seems that sluggers not named Pujols take a little while to get going. I hope what someone mentioned earlier about Fielder not playing well because he wants to be traded is not the case. I don't think Prince would do that. The Brewers are a fun team to watch and once they hit all cylinders the NL better watch out.