In my high school time at Hawken, whenever a teacher felt a student got a bad grade on a test or simply like a student was really driving the struggle bus, they would send a "Notice of Concern" home to the student's parents. I've decided that I want to adopt a sort of similar concept here on the blog. On the flip side of the Notice of Concern there will be the Note of Praise for anyone who I think has really gone above and beyond in the Cleveland sports realm.
That being said, we've got to start out with a big Notice of Concern for Grady Sizemore. During spring training, I constantly read articles about him being 100% healthy, and how it was really apparent just how injured he was last year because he was now swinging the bat so well, and running so well, the list went on. And this wasn't just the writers opinions, I know I remember quotes from GM Mark Shapiro saying something right along those lines. Unfortunately, those predictions haven't paned out at all. Not even close.
Consider the numbers: Going into this next series with the (barely) last place in the AL Central Royals, Sizemore is hitting a very discouraging .213 with 0 HR, 12 RBI, 14 runs scored, and only 8 extra base hits (6 doubles, 2 triples). He's 2/3 on steals (2/3! Come on!), has only walked 8 times (as many walks as extra base hits! yikes!) and has an on base percentage of just .277. I know Grady is going to strike out a lot, that's just who he is, but right now he's working on 30 K's to just 23 hits and 33 total bases. If we go to some splits, it looks even worse. He's only hitting .111 against lefties. .111. 0 extra base hits from and an OBP of .184.
This is Grady's sixth full season in the big leagues, and by now everyone knows that as he goes, so goes the Indians' offensive attack. That being said, of course not all the blame for the lack of run production and waste of pitching can go to Sizemore. And there have been signs of improvement. He ended April with a .205 average and has hit .233 so far in May to bring his average up a few points.
Still, this Notice of Concern has been sent to Grady Sizemore because of his abysmal offensive production so far this season, and I believe it would be in his best interest (and in the best interest of Indians fans everywhere) for Sizemore to improve these numbers as soon as possible.
~MAS
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