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James Loney hit a three-run home run on Friday night, his latest positive stride at the plate, and it has Tony Jackson at ESPN LA excited:
What we are seeing now is that Loney can be a prototypical corner infielder, a guy with pull-side power who can deliver a big blow at a key moment in a game. Basically, that he is becoming the player the Dodgers have always needed him to be.
Jackson strongly suggests the change in hitting coaches, from Jeff Pentland to Dave Hansen on July 20, has contributed greatly to Loney's turnaround. Since that date, Loney is hitting .300/.367/.513 with 12 doubles and six home runs in 172 plate appearances.
It has been a very welcome run of success for Loney, but is it really that out of the ordinary?
- From May 3 to June 22, 2008, Loney hit .337/.396/.524 in182 PA. He ended up 22nd of 27 qualified first basemen in wOBA.
- From June 18 to July 29, 2009, Loney hit .320/.399/.508 in 138 PA. He ended up 23rd of 25 qualified first basemen in wOBA.
- From April 30 to June 16, 2010, Loney hit .316/.373/.525 in 177 PA. He ended up 22nd of 24 qualified first basemen in wOBA.
This season, even after his hot streak, Loney is 22nd out of 24 qualified first basemen with a .314 wOBA.
James Loney is still James Loney.
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