On Friday afternoon, DJ LeMahieu finally came out and broke his silence over his ongoing slump that didn’t yield any change even after benching him and a reset. The Machine, as he was called by the fans, appeared visibly frustrated, as if he were desperately seeking answers but unable to find any.
LeMahie’s performance with the Yankees this season has been subpar, marking one of the lowest points in his entire career. The 34-year-old acknowledged that he has faced challenging periods in the past, but it has never taken him this long to overcome them and regain his batting rhythm.
After a three-day hiatus dedicated to working on his swing, LeMahieu made his return to the Yankees‘ lineup on Thursday night. However, he experienced a disappointing performance, going hitless in four at-bats and striking out twice. As someone with a career batting average just shy of .300, LeMahieu found it challenging to recall the last time he had encountered such a prolonged period of poor hitting.
LeMahieu expressed his frustration, admitting that he hasn’t struggled at the plate to this extent in a long time, if ever. He recognized the unfortunate timing of his poor performance, considering the situation of the team.
“I haven’t hit this bad in a while,” he said. “I don’t know if ever. It’s coming at a bad time for our team.”
LeMahieu’s honest remarks followed a display of rare emotion from the seasoned player during the previous game. Frustrated by the team’s disappointing performance in a 10-2 loss to the Mariners, he expressed his frustration by throwing his helmet and slamming his bat in the Yankees’ dugout.
LeMahieu’s slump is a big concern
Prior to the start of the three-game series against the Rangers, LeMahieu found himself in front of his locker, attempting to articulate the slump that he himself is struggling to fully comprehend. He cautiously expressed his hopes of moving in a positive direction while acknowledging the challenging nature of the situation. LeMahieu emphasized the grind he has been experiencing and his determination to discover solutions to improve his performance.
“We’re moving in the right direction, hopefully,” he said with a long pause. “It’s been a grind. It’s been a grind, so just trying to find solutions.”
LeMahieu acknowledged that his swing mechanics, particularly the weight distribution on his back leg during the load, might be contributing to his struggles. He mentioned that he had observed a couple of awkward swings where he ended up on his back knee during the previous game. Although he confirmed his physical well-being, he couldn’t provide a definitive explanation as to whether he was compensating for habits developed last year while playing with a fractured foot.
LeMahieu emphasized his focus on competing and making things happen on the field. However, he acknowledged that when that approach doesn’t yield the desired results, he needs to take a step back and analyze his mechanics. He mentioned the importance of finding a balance between addressing any mechanical issues in practice sessions and being able to implement them effectively during game situations. The goal is to translate the adjustments made in the batting cage into successful performances during actual games.
Adding to the complexity is LeMahieu’s perspective on his own approach to hitting, as he doesn’t view himself as someone who relies heavily on mechanical adjustments. Consequently, the requirement to take a comprehensive look at every element of his swing in an effort to uncover the cause behind his ongoing struggles, which have persisted for almost a month, has been especially arduous.
LeMahieu mentioned that there isn’t a significant difference in his approach, but sometimes he finds himself getting overpowered by fastballs, leading him to simplify his approach. However, in trying to keep it simple, he tends to deviate from his natural swing. Reflecting on his career, including the previous year, he noted that his swing has undergone notable changes over time.
LeMahieu expressed his preference as a “feel hitter,” relying on instinct and competitiveness when approaching his at-bats. He admitted that delving into the mechanics of his swing is not an enjoyable process for him. However, he acknowledged that it is a necessary step he is currently undertaking to address his struggles.
“I’m just a big feel hitter and just compete and go out and hit. Going and looking at mechanics is, honestly, it’s really not fun. But it’s something I’m having to deep dive on for sure right now.”
Despite being confident in his physical health and assuring that his previous foot fracture is not affecting him, LeMahieu expressed confusion over his offensive performance this season. It’s a perplexing situation for a player of his caliber, who has achieved two batting titles and has been known for his consistent offensive contributions throughout his career.
The Yankees need him to get up
Certainly, in the absence of Aaron Judge from the lineup, the Yankees require each and every player to perform at their best and contribute significantly. Instead, the key players expected to drive the middle of the lineup are struggling consistently, and LeMahieu is not the sole contributor to this issue.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone acknowledged that one aspect of LeMahieu’s game that has come naturally to him is hitting line drives consistently. When that level of consistency is not present, adjustments and exploration of different approaches become necessary.
As the Yankees patiently await Aaron Judge’s return from a toe injury (with no specific timetable provided by Boone on Friday), the team becomes increasingly vulnerable to prolonged slumps from players like LeMahieu and others.
In the aftermath of Judge’s injury incident at Dodger Stadium on June 3, LeMahieu’s performance at the plate has suffered, with a batting line of .143/.167/.257 leading up to Friday’s game.
Boone expressed his belief that LeMahieu is capable of having a productive stretch, stating that they need to help him find his rhythm and unleash his potential. He emphasized the importance of achieving small victories within each game, acknowledging that LeMahieu has experienced moments of feeling confident and building momentum, only to be disrupted by an off-swing or a missed opportunity. Boone stressed the need to overcome frustration and maintain a relentless approach in order to overcome this challenging phase.
In recent weeks, Boone and hitting coach Dillon Lawson have engaged in discussions with LeMahieu regarding the technical aspects of his swing, specifically focusing on his load and potential areas for improvement. However, LeMahieu has expressed a reluctance to extensively analyze the intricacies of his mechanics, preferring a more instinctive and intuitive approach to hitting.
Indeed, LeMahieu, known as “The Machine,” doesn’t perceive himself as a “mechanical hitter.” Instead, he identifies as a “feel hitter,” relying on his instincts and intuition to make adjustments. He believes in the process of suiting up every day, competing, and making subtle changes as necessary to consistently produce results.
In his quest to strike a balance between his individual approach and the team’s analysis of his swing, LeMahieu is navigating through significant external pressure. Like several other experienced Yankees players, he has been grappling with a slump this month, compounded by the absence of Aaron Judge, who is unable to alleviate the struggles of the team.
What do you think? Leave your comment below.
Thank goodness for MLB channel. Was able to watch baseball played at a high level in the Braves vs. Reds game…When switching back to Yankees, all I saw was balls dropping in the outfield, guys hitting WEAK ground balls and just no life on the field!
I feel LeMahieu needs more continuity in his game. He has been bounced from one position to another both on the field and in the batting order plus losing his normal position to Torres, who is no better and certainly no more dependable. He has constantly been threatened by being replaced by Josh Donaldson, whom I think is a joke.
Completely agree with everything you said. DJ should play at 3rd base everyday and sometimes 2nd when Torres is rested. Donaldson is a joke and I wish he was gone. DJ is and will be again 1 of the most important players on the team.
DJ needs to choke up on the bat for better bat control, thereby better lower half balance…like Rizzo does after two strikes, then generally inch done to end of bat as he gets his balance back…it’s not mechanical or mental simply controlling his upper half until his lower half regains its balance and old form…definitely a muscle memory thing/carry over from trying not to use his lower half from injuries last year.
Good suggestion.
Some players are simply not the same after certain injuries. Remember what happened to Didi after his Tommy John surgery? If D. J. gets back to being the hitter he was two years ago, he’s gonna have to go back & figure out what adjustments he made to compensate for the foot injury…& begin the process of unlearning those adjustments in order to get back to his natural hitting style. Injuries tend to cause players to learn wrong muscle memory to compensate. I think he’s still capable of figuring it out. But it’s gonna take patience & time…the kind of time this 2023 team really can’t afford.
It’s a mental thing. Too much emphasis on Yankees’ hitting philosophy wii screw him up even more. LeMahieu is a natural contact hitter, not a crank and hit with power (Yanks’ style). Go back to see ball, hit ball, quit guessing, and trust that talent will win out.