Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports
It took a while, but he broke through.
Applicable both for Mike Yastrzemski’s journey to the majors and his snapping out of a slump.
The Giants right fielder jolted out of an 0-for-18 funk in style, going 2-for-4 with a walk and his 18th home run of the major league season on Friday.
Add the 12 he hit at Triple-A Sacramento, and a player who slapped 61 total dingers in six minor league seasons now has hit 30 in 121 games in 2019. Fans are surprised. The Giants front office is surprised.
Yastrzemski is no different.
“I never really expected to do that,” Yastrzemski said after the Giants beat the Padres, 8-3 at Oracle Park. “Honestly, I haven’t tried to do it either. It’s something that gives you confidence. When you take a good swing, you’re hoping to get a good result. Just sticking with the process is the best thing to do.”
The revised major league ball is a factor undoubtedly. But Yastrzemski would like to believe there are alibis both concrete and not that explain how he’s become a power hitter.
“Getting older,” said the 29-year-old rookie. “Just trying to learn a lot this offseason about the way that I’m squaring the ball up. … Not trying to hit home runs, which is an issue I’ve run into in the past.”
The majority of the time Yastrzemski spent in Baltimore’s system came in Triple-A Norfolk, which plays at Harbor Park in Virginia. Located right next to the Elizabeth River, the park is one the windier you’ll find.
Still, a newcomer to Oracle Park lauding a hitters’ haven is a funny thought.
“The wind there beat you down,” Yastrzemski said of Harbor Park. “I would get frustrated and just try to hit it harder and further.”
He escaped it when the Giants traded nothing — well, Tyler Herb — for a rookie who does everything well. Home runs included.
“It was nice for Boch to still have confidence in me to put me in the lineup,” said Yastrzemski, whose average has fallen to .267. “And that gives you confidence that you’re going to turn things back around and be able to get right back where you were.”
