http://baybridgebaseball.com/2011/04/not-ready-to-give-panda-the-thumbs-up/ An A's-Giants blog Sat, 18 May 2013 11:46:40 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.2 http://baybridgebaseball.com/2011/04/not-ready-to-give-panda-the-thumbs-up/comment-page-1/#comment-4052 RoneFace Tue, 26 Apr 2011 19:34:29 +0000 http://baybridgebaseball.com/?p=2472#comment-4052 Point very well taken, and I'd agree that it's far too early to declare that the Panda is back. However, I think it's fair to say that he looks better than at almost any time during 2010. The big difference for me is that he seems to be getting to pitches he wasn't getting to last year, specifically the high fastball. The other improvement seems to be a better eye at the plate. He's taken more first pitches already this year than in the rest of his career combined (or at least it seems like it). In general he seems like a much more confident hitter both with his swings and his takes. The big test will be how well he can maintain that confidence if and when he falls into a slump. Point very well taken, and I’d agree that it’s far too early to declare that the Panda is back. However, I think it’s fair to say that he looks better than at almost any time during 2010. The big difference for me is that he seems to be getting to pitches he wasn’t getting to last year, specifically the high fastball. The other improvement seems to be a better eye at the plate. He’s taken more first pitches already this year than in the rest of his career combined (or at least it seems like it). In general he seems like a much more confident hitter both with his swings and his takes. The big test will be how well he can maintain that confidence if and when he falls into a slump.

]]>