Dispelling a myth: Kendry Morales Is A Power Hitter

Dispelling a myth: Kendry Morales is a power hitter.

I keep hearing Angels fans talk about the power that Morales brings to the plate. Just because he is built like a power hitter doesn't mean that he is a power hitter. He may develop into a power hitter, but right now he's not.

Proof
He has hit 8 home runs this year in AAA and in the majors in 362 at-bats. That is one home run every 45 at-bats (1:45). Projected to 600 at-bats, that's only 13 home runs in an entire season.

The strange thing is that he has shown some pop a few years ago in the lower minor leagues. In his first season (2005), he had 5 home runs in 90 at-bats at single-A Rancho Cucamonga (1:18). He was then promoted to double-A Arkansas where he hit 17 home runs in 281 at-bats (1:17).

Hopefully, he will develop power at the big league level. But the low power numbers at AAA Salt Lake City this year, make me think that he's still a couple of years away from hitting with power.

Year By Year HR Ratio and Projections

Year Lev  HR   AB Ratio Proj
2005 A     5   90  1:18  33
2005 AA   17  281  1:17  36
2005 Tot  22  371  1:17  36

2006 AAA  12  256  1:21  28
2006 Maj   5  197  1:39  15
2006 Tot  17  453  1:27  23

2007 AAA   5  255  1:51  12
2007 Maj   3  107  1:36  17
2007 Tot   8  362  1:45  13



*Projections are based on 600 at-bats per season.


List of myths dispelled in former blog entries:

• Robb Quinlan should never play.

List of myths to dispel in upcoming blog entries:

• Home field advantage is an advantage
• The Angels struggle against left handed pitchers.