How to Get Hardy out of this Funk

[jhart05]

Switch Hardy and Hall and be done with it. If Hardy doesn't like it, well start hitting the ball, or you'll move down to 8th.

 

Why reward a guy who isn't hitting by putting him 2nd, and why mess with the 1 thru 5 hitters when they are going pretty good right now.

[GormanHarvey]

He is definitely extending his arms out farther from his chest. It is very obvious. And I think it is causing him to have a hard time getting to good fastballs - especially inside ones.

EDIT: I am also totally on board with moving Hall ahead of him and agree with X that Billy of 2006 is back as I have mentioned before. Even times when Hall is facing a tough RHP matchup, he seems to be finding a way to make a good AB out of it, whether it be working the count in his order, fouling off tough pitches, or just flipping a single out there (often times to right field) on a tough pitch

[Never Outhustled]

Another night of Hardy rally killing on a night Hall doubles and walks. Make the switch Ken.

[TheCrew07]

I have an extreme dislike for his new batting stance. I'll never understand why players want to put so much unnecessary extra motion into their swings, in addition to creating timing issues, it's very difficult to repeat complicated movements. Maybe it's just because I had the KISS principles drilled into me for so long but the more simple and natural the batting stance, the better off you're going to be. Yes some guys have immense talent and can have success with the exaggerated movements, but the average to above player is going to struggle with all that extra garbage in their swing, pitching motion, etc.

[Invader3K]

What I don't get is...what was wrong with his original swing? He seemed to do fine with it last year. I don't get the reason for the change.

[joepepsi]

Hardy in April 2008: 234/305/298

[kramnoj]

Hardy was certainly awful last April, but didn't he get sick in ST last year and lose 10 pounds? I think that it took him a bit to catch up from that.

[logan82]

His shoulder was bothering him early last season as well.

[jhart05]

Time to move him down to 7th. He is not one of the best 6 hitters in the lineup right now.

[FVBrewerFan]

Plus, I would love him to be at .234 right now...and i'm sure he would as well. Another month of this and sending him down to Nashville to work on his swing is a very real possibility.

[theavrock]

I still think that the suggestion of going out of town and finding a slump buster is his best bet.

[rluzinski]

I think Hardy being sent down is a very unreal possibility.

[brewizard]

We all know he is streaky. He'll get hot.

 

I have a feeling this thread will look pretty silly on June 1.

[Ennder]

He is out of the lineup today.

[FVBrewerFan]

I think Hardy being sent down is a very unreal possibility.

Well, they did it with Weeks last year. Remember I said IF. If he he still hitting .150 or so at the end of May? At some point you have to try something. He is the most streaky hitter the Brewers have, so I'm hoping it will work itself out. But if it doesn't after another month what do you do? Keep him with the club but sit him down for awhile?

[rluzinski]

But if it doesn't after another month what do you do? Keep him with the club but sit him down for awhile?

 

I would think he would lose some playing time to Counsell, yes.

[kramnoj]

Well, they did it with Weeks last year.

 

Weeks was last in the minors in 2007, and had a total of 6 games there. Is it likely that he rediscovered his swing in 6 games? Or is it just as likely that the shock of being sent in the minors, or just regression to the mean, was more likely for his improvement after that?

[trwi7]

Weeks was last in the minors in 2007, and had a total of 6 games there. Is it likely that he rediscovered his swing in 6 games? Or is it just as likely that the shock of being sent in the minors, or just regression to the mean, was more likely for his improvement after that?

Weeks was going to be in the minors longer than that but Graffanino tore up his knee right after they sent Weeks down.

[kramnoj]

Weeks was going to be in the minors longer than that but Graffanino tore up his knee right after they sent Weeks down.

 

This provides some perspective, but I'm not sure of the relevance of it. There is a suggestion that sending down Hardy to work on his swing will be beneficial, and then Weeks stay was provided as evidence that it could happen. Weeks was dominant in his 6 game appearance, a 1.253 OPS. I don't know that 6 games of beating up minor leaguers was the solution. If it was, then anytime a player struggles they should just send the guy down for a week.

[And That]

I think sending Hardy down to AAA might eliminate any chance we have of signing him to a long term deal.

 

Then again, if management is sure they have no shot at re-signing him, maybe they will send him down if they think it won't hurt.

 

In either case, I'm sure Alcides Escobar is happy.

[PrinceEatMeat]

You guys are kidding yourselves to think Hardy will get sent down. If we send him down his trade value will drastically decrease even if he does better later on if he came back up. We need him to stay up and try to work it out here if we want to get any value for him in a trade. At worst, he has a bad season and we just go with Escobar next season and not feel bad about it. I think Hardy will be fine. I still think taking him out of the 2 hole is the problem. He doesn't see the good pitches that he saw in front of Braun, and because of that he's struggling. He's also had a ton of bad luck, with guys making good plays to rob him of hits he deserved. I'm confident that he'll snap out of it.

[logan82]

Is it likely that he rediscovered his swing in 6 games? Or is it just as likely that the shock of being sent in the minors, or just regression to the mean, was more likely for his improvement after that?

 

I think it is likely his wrist finally healed a year after he hurt it. Just like was stated when he hurt his wrist.

[brewizard]

Then again, if management is sure they have no shot at re-signing him, maybe they will send him down if they think it won't hurt.

 

But it might hurt his trade value...

[thunderbat30]

It's a little early to be talking about sending Hardy down and discussion on future trade scenarios. Remember a few weeks ago how bad the entire team was? I would give him at least another day off since Haren is pitching today and his slider won't be good for JJ. Craig's been swinging a good bat so ride him another game. My guess though, Macha will put JJ in the lineup today.

[Never Outhustled]

At 1st I thought the idea of sending Hardy to AAA for a few weeks was outrageous, but actually, it is a terrific idea, as it would give us control of Hardy for another season. It would make up for the colossal blunder Melvin made to open the 2005 season. It will never happen, but it would be awesome.