Why do we ask questions like "Why is a 20-year-old outfielder striking out once every 2.6 at-bats in the major leagues when he struck out once every 6.34 at-bats in the minors?" and not be satisfied with the simple answer of "Duh, because he's 20 and in the big leagues"? Because we're baseball fans, and over-analyzing things is what we do.
Or at least that what Dave Allen of Fan Graphs.com has done in regards to Jason Heyward and his short, yet impressive, stint in the majors thus far.* Allen noticed those strikeout numbers and wanted to see what exactly was causing them, and the obvious problem in this limited sample is breaking balls in the dirt.
*Please don't misinterpret this to mean anything other than what Heyward has done so far incredible. To hit .269/.387/.654 in your first week in the majors, four months shy of your 21st birthday, is astonishing. So astonishing, in fact, that the only players who have gone on to have a .250/.350/.500 line or better in their first season in the majors under the age of 21 were Ted Williams, Frank Robinson, and Tony Coniglario. Wow.
Now, there is no need for Braves' fans to panic as Heyward is known for his superior eye at the plate and an adjustment period is to be expected. In fact, for all we know he's already made it. It's just nice to pinpoint a problem and understand it better, no matter how small it may be.
