Contact High!

So the Houston Astros had their 5 game winning streak snapped yesterday. Yes, it is a bit of a bummer, seeing as how it was Albert Pujols who, once again, sank the team's chances with another 3-run bomb into the Crawford Boxes. It always seems to happen that way. Skipper A.J. Hinch should have probably given the sign to walk him, but that is a whole new debate altogether.

Despite this, fans need not be worried, though. The Astros are still maintaining both a team and RISP average in the .260s range. Could it stand to be a little higher? Sure, just as any other what if scenario that can be thrown at them. However, this is no time to hit the panic button. The team is still tops in the division by a fairly wide margin. Plus, let's be honest, the Los Angeles Angels just got lucky last night.

What has certainly been more than luck is the early season performance of your people's champion and mine, Evan Gattis. El Oso Blanco is currently slashing a .280/.400/.360 line with 2 doubles, 5 walks, 4 RBI and only 3 strikeouts in 30 plate appearances heading into tonight's game. In even further good news, he is starting at DH tonight and batting 5th in the order. I expect nothing but great things from him in this evening's match up against J.C. Ramirez. FYI, he's batted .750 with 2 homers and 3 RBI lifetime against the right-hander.

In the midst of this much deserved hullabaloo, there are still many in the fan base that appear to be disappointed. And not just because of the lack of playing time he keeps getting, like I and fantasy league owners have been. But also, his lack of a home run so far, and shortened slugging percentage. They keep asking things like the following:

1. "Why hasn't he hit a home run yet?"
2. "Has his power diminished?"
3. "Are we seeing the end of El Oso Blanco's home runs as we know it?"

I need to ask everyone to slow their roll on this one. First of all, as some would try to hold against him (COUGH, CDH Crowd!), he's not going to hit a home run EVERY SINGLE TIME he steps into the batter's box. Sure, it's easy for fans, and even CDHers, to want him to hit like he did when he first burst onto the MLB stage with Atlanta back in 2013. Certainly, some good times had by all, including yours truly. 

But in reality, this just doesn't happen that often. It still makes Gattis an anomaly of a spontaneous player, but that standard need not apply anymore. He will always give 110% out there when he does get to play, but keeping the hits coming is what is going to get him to "Earn It!" At some point, Hinch will have to favor him over the likes of someone like Carlos Beltran, who despite the big contract, has had some of his own scuffs. That's yet another debate for later on.

All of these notions lead me to my second point. As I posted in my last article, folks around the team have been taking note of his more patient and contact approach at the plate. It has led him to being more of a pull hitter, and the results are equally as rewarding. This isn't to say that Gattis still will not hit his fair share of home runs. He can at least get the 20 or more that he has hit in every season since entering the major leagues.

But driving in more runs, getting on base and drawing walks are what every good player, especially the superstars of this league, learns how to do. Meanwhile, he still has more than enough power in his arsenal to use when needed. A career .234 isolated power, or ISO, is living proof of that. Tonight just may be the night that this particular and elite power from the Big White Bear is on full display. Everyone is eagerly awaiting for it, and I anticipate a delivery this very night!

For now, let's just enjoy this new "contact high" that Evan Gattis is favoring us with. This new hitting maturity will be just the thing he needs to punch in more playing time. And believe me, ladies and gentlemen, he can certainly use as much of it as can be spared to him at the moment! Let us hope and pray that Hinch will be a bit smarter in how he utilizes the bear. He's no bench warmer, he's no trade bait, he's a player that should be in this Astros' lineup everyday. If that can't happen, then time needs to be found someway and somehow! 

Original Photo Credit: Stephen Brashear of Getty Images

Get ready to see more hits, like this bases clearing double from Seattle a week ago Tuesday, coming throughout 2017, folks!!!!