Power & speed

It's happened again this year. Cuban outfielder Randy Arozarena's second half of the season has been much more consistent than the first.

It happens often.

The only year that's been different was 2023. Randy averaged an .855 OPS with 16 homers and 58 RBI in his first 88 games with the Tampa Bay Rays. After starring in an epochal battle in the Home Run Derby against Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Arozarena saw his OPS drop to .700 in 63 games during the second half of the season. He hit just seven homers and his slugging percentage fell 98 points.

This year the common story repeated itself again. Randy slashed .203/.309/.362 with 12 homers and a career-worst .671 OPS during the first half of the season. For the first time, his OPS-plus dipped below 100 and his usual .328 BABIP dropped to .242. His struggles at the plate against fastballs and off-speed pitches were terrible. However, Randy has turned the corner again. His .671 OPS in the first half of the season has climbed to .799 in this second half of the season. Even though he is striking out more often — 28.5% versus 24.5% in the first half — Randy has exhibited more power.

Let's look at some interesting numbers:

• First half of the season this year: 3.2 HR%, 7.4 XBH%, 24.5 SO%, 11.1 BB%, .242 BABIP, 88 OPS-plus

• Second half of the season this year: 3.3 HR%, 9.3 XBH%, 28.5 SO%, 9.8 BB%, .333 BABIP, 123 OPS-plus

Well, seeing Randy's BABIP back to his career standards seems like a good sign that his swing is getting back into rhythm. That's precisely what the Seattle Mariners are hoping for. A little bit of Randy's power, a little bit of his speed, and a little bit of his contact, as the Cuban outfielder's energy goes with him everywhere. Now, the only problem I see here, is that Randy has continued to strike out at a high rate. Either way, he's managed to put some adjustments in place.