Just using Gardner’s 2009 stats (which results in numbers with basically no statistical significance because there are so few PA at each count) Gardner is better with two strikes than he is without two strikes with the exception of being 0-2.

After having each of the following counts, these are his numbers:*
0-2: PA 8 BA .143 OBP .250 OPS .536
1-2: PA 17 BA .267 OBP .294 OPS .694
2-2: PA 18 BA .294 OBP .333 OPS .686
3-2: PA 9 BA .250 OBP .333 OPS .583

Compared to his 2009 Season Average:
PA 65 BA .220 OBP .254 OPS .525

And for a little fun comparison, two strike BA
A-rod’s for 2008: .228
Gardner’s season to date .212
Melky’s 2008 .158
Jeter’s season to date: .263

* The “after two strikes” stat apparently gets counted repeatedly in the same at bat, so if I’m 0-2 and then it becomes 1-2 the PA gets counted again, so you can’t total the plate appearances.

Randy Levine really is quite powerful, isn’t he?

Also, when I was much younger, I helped to raise four litters of dogs (Doberman Pinschers), including a litter of ten…

: )

And here we are, back at .500 yet again. Ahh, the joys of April Yankee baseball

(You’ll notice Melky’s 2008 at the bottom of that list)

You are weird …

(Fortunately, I find that a wonderful attribute)

Fun has it’s price too, I’m afraid.

Besides, I don’t think he’s even housebroken yet…

FYI, Gardner’s OPS+ for his career is 48.

But even allowing for my bias, I think there’s an easier con argument than pro in regards to the “gritty” lad.

For comparison sake, here is the American League 2009 season-to-date splits based on count:
http://tinyurl.com/d7bhrx

You’re sort of right …. when his AB is decided on the pitch IMMEDIATELY AFTER an 0-2 count, he’s 0-17.

However, a little lower down on that chart is “After 0-2″, which encompasses ALL pitches after that count, and he bats .147 in those circumstances (no one does that well down 0-2, though)

Gardner pitch-by-pitch stats:
http://tinyurl.com/dg5qmp

In general, I’ve seen enough of the guy. What few moments he’s had have seemed unconvincing to me. It just appears that he’s maxed out and there’s not much there. Melky at least might have a little room to grow.

Gardner is guessing pitches with his first two strikes and when he gets fooled, which is often, his swing and the amount by which he misses is literally viscerally embarrassing to fans. A-Rod actually had several swings with no strikes last year that looked this way – missing a ball with a big swing by three or more inches. On the other hand, with two strikes he totally changes his approach.

Gardner’s swing becomes much shorter, he shifts his weight less, and he seems to be fully reactive. I know everyone changes their approach with two strikes, but to me Gardner looks like a different player. And, in my opinion, the swings with two strikes play much more to the strengths of his game (such, as as few as they are). He seems to make much better contact, actually fights off a few pitches, and with his infield outs at least gives his legs a chance to make a play (and the defense a chance to botch it).

In other words, what do you think of the idea that Gardner would benefit from defending the plate rather than trying to get a hit?

Newbie stats question: What’s the best place for me to get pitch by pitch stats for Gardner?

The Yanks DID score 11 of those 15 runs in one game …. (just sayin’)