Patience or Panic: Mike Yastrzemski, Lawrence Butler, Vinnie Pasquantino
Welcome again to Week 5 of our Patience or Panic collection, the place we check out three struggling gamers and supply suggestions on how you need to react to their gradual begins and subpar efficiency. It remains to be early, after all, however numbers are starting to turn into extra significant. Let’s see if we will discern what may be an unfortunate begin and what’s extra worrying.
Mike YastrzemskiOF, Atlanta Braves
Mike Yastrzemski debuted in MLB in 2019 at 28 years outdated. From 2019-2025, he had 3,139 PA, a .238/.324/.447 slash, 24.4% Okay%, 10.5% BB%, and 111 wRC+. He additionally had 123 HR and a strong .210 ISO.
Prior to his age-35 season, he signed a 2-year contract with Atlanta. In 94 PA it has not gone effectively.
He has a .188/.266/.247 slash, 26.6% Okay%, 8.5% BB%, and wRC+. Is this nonetheless simply early-season noise, or is age catching as much as Yastrzemski?
He has a .267 BABIP, which is a bit decrease than his profession, however inside anticipated parameters. His Bat Speed is down 0.6 mph from final 12 months, however that may be anticipated to extend a bit because it continues to heat up.
His Barrel% and ISO are simply 3.3% and .059, respectively. He has displayed little or no energy and has but to hit a HR.
Verdict: Patience. Yastrzemski’s Hard Hit% is definitely barely above his profession and is above common in MLB. His Avg Exit Velo can also be sturdy. His O-Swing% is up, however the remainder of his Plate Discipline metrics are extra or much less in step with the remainder of his profession. For most guys, energy comes from pulled fly balls. Yastrzemski is pulling the ball, however his FB% is sort of 12 factors decrease than his profession common. I believe he’ll get that discovered. I would not anticipate his common to get a lot greater than the decrease 200s, however the energy ought to return.
In 2024, Butler established himself with a 22 HR, 18 SB, 130 wRC+ season. That 12 months, he received his Okay% all the way down to 23.9%. In 2025, his Okay% rose to twenty-eight.4%, and his wRC+ dropped to 96.
In 95 PA this 12 months, he has a .186/.263/.279 slash, 26.3% Okay%, 9.5% BB%, and 47 wRC+. Was 2024 the outlier?
As you’d anticipate from a 25-year-old, his Bat Speed stays a plus.
Source: FanGraphs
His Plate Discipline numbers have extra in widespread together with his sturdy 2024 season than his OK 2025. In reality, the 11.9% SwStr% would recommend his Okay% might come down a couple of factors.
Source: FanGraphs
Verdict: Patience, largely. I typically do not put a lot inventory in directional Batted Ball Breakdowns this early, however Butler’s decreased FB% and Pull AIR% is a considerably disturbing development. However, I feel if he can get these numbers up, a season someplace between 2024 and 2025 is possible.
Vinnie Pasquantino1B, Kansas City Royals
In 1,794 PA coming into this 12 months, Pasquantino had a .266/.333/.456 slash, 13.5% Okay%, 8.3% BB%, and 115 wRC+. Only Mookie Betts and José Ramírez had a better SLG and decrease Okay% than Pasquantino amongst hitters with no less than 1,500 PA over that span.
2026 has not been so good. His Okay% is as much as 20.0% and his SLG is manner all the way down to .310. His .160 AVG and .267 OBP have contributed to a 58 wRC+. What’s occurring?
His Fast-Swing Rate is all the best way all the way down to 4.0%, too. His was 26.4% final 12 months, and the MLB common is 23.7%.
Source: Pitcher List
Verdict: Panic. There’s so much to be involved about right here. I virtually suspect he might have an damage he’s coping with. I haven’t got a lot perception to offer, however he’s a slugger who must hit the ball tougher. If he does not, 2026 would be the worst 12 months of his profession to date. He has performed a 3rd of his sport in cold-weather environments, so perhaps he’ll loosen up.
Photos courtesy of Icon Sportswire | Adapted by Aaron Polcare (@abeardoesart on Bluesky and X)
