Paul LoDuca has a decent batting average (.274) but he has not been too productive as he has only scored 33 runs, hit 5 homers and drove in 24 runs in 277 first half atbats. Ramon Castro might start to steal some of LoDuca’s atbats if he doesn’t start swinging the bat better. Jose Valentin has been hurt alot but that doesn’t excuse his .243 average this season. He also needs to get his power swing back as he only has 3 homers and 17 RBIs in 152 atbats this season. Carlos Delgado still has power as evidenced by his 14 homers and 49 RBIs this season but he needs to improve his .242 batting average on the year. Julio Franco (.200 avg) and David Newhan (.218 avg) both need to hit better in the 2nd half if they are going to get their atbats.

Julio Franco has looked a little overmatched at the plate so far this season as his bat appears to be slowing. Pitchers are taking advantage of that by attacking Franco will fastballs. In Franco’s defense, it’s hard to stay sharp when you don’t get to play very often. In 21 games so far this season, Franco is 5 for 27 (.185 avg, .599 OPS) with 4 runs scored, 1 homer and 5 RBIs. Franco has also whiffed 10 times already this season.

If Paul LoDuca is going to continue to bat 2nd in the Mets lineup he will need to start hitting the baseball better. In 14 games so far this season, LoDuca is only 14 for 58 (.241 avg, .618 OPS) with 7 runs scored, 1 homer and 6 RBIs. He’s a much better hitter than he’s shown so far this season and I expect him to snap out of his funk soon for the Mets.

In Delgado’s first 13 games this season he’s only hitting .222 with a .542 OPS. He is 12 for 54 with 6 runs scored and 8 RBIs. Delgado has not hit a homer yet this season and he’s already whiffed 15 times. Still, it’s only a matter of time until he gets it going big time in the Mets potent lineup.

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I was so excited when I saw Oliver Perez’s first start of the season. I took a chance on him and took him really late in my draft, hoping to see the Oliver Perez of a few years ago. I had high hopes for him after he pitched 7 strong innings in his first start without walking anyone. But much to my horror, I saw the old Oliver Perez this week (minus the gopher balls). Why won’t he throw strikes? He gave up three runs and only gave up one hit in the darn game! 7 BB and a hit-by-pitch, including 2 of those walks and the HBP with the bases loaded! Unbelievable!