Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports
This season has been tough for the Philadelphia Phillies. Each individual player has had their struggles, and that is particularly true for shortstop Jimmy Rollins.
Rollins has been talked about being traded throughout the course of the season. However, that is not going to happen as he has a no trade clause in his contract, and he has specifically said that he is going to stay in a Phillies’ uniform. Since he is going to stay in Philadelphia will he be able to bounce back from this season and help the team in 2014?
He is only hitting .248 this season and has only managed 34 RBI where he usually can get past 60. Last season Rollins had 68. He has only gotten five balls out of the ballpark where he can usually get close to 20. Rollins is certainly having a hard time this season. He is not seeing the ball the same way he used to, and he has struck out 72 times which is second in the Phillies lineup.
Rollins, in the past ten games, only has an average of .171. He has six hits and contributed with two RBI, but that comes with six strikeouts. Rollins just cannot seem to find his swing.
In previous seasons has been a big contribution to the Phillies’ offense. He has won the Silver Slugger Award along with the MVP Award in 2007. He had been the leadoff hitter for many years getting on base, giving his teammates the chance to knock him in. Rollins has never been a super power hitter, but he was clutch when the time was needed.
Rollins is going to be 35 in November. That isn’t very old, but he needs to figure out a way to still contribute to the Phillies’ offense. Hopefully he can bounce back from this season and become the Rollins he once was.
Rebekah is a Philadelphia Phillies writer for www.Rantsports.com. Follower her on Twitter and Goggle+
