Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette burst onto the scene in 2019 with an impressive rookie campaign, hitting .311 with 11 home runs and 21 doubles in just 46 games. However, his performance in the 2020 season has been a bit underwhelming, leaving fans and analysts alike scratching their heads.

One of the main reasons behind Bichette’s struggles this season can be attributed to his batting average on balls in play (BABIP). BABIP is a statistic that measures how often a ball put in play results in a hit. In 2019, Bichette had a BABIP of .368, which was well above the league average. This helped contribute to his high batting average and overall success at the plate. However, in 2020, Bichette’s BABIP has dropped to .255, indicating that he has been unlucky with the balls he has put in play.

Another factor that has contributed to Bichette’s underwhelming season is his strikeout rate. In 2019, Bichette struck out in just 14.3% of his plate appearances. This season, that number has jumped to 24.1%. This increase in strikeouts has resulted in fewer opportunities for Bichette to get on base and contribute offensively.

Additionally, Bichette’s power numbers have also taken a hit this season. In 2019, he had a slugging percentage of .571 and an isolated power (ISO) of .260. In 2020, those numbers have dropped to .475 and .175, respectively. This decrease in power production has made it more difficult for Bichette to drive in runs and be a consistent threat at the plate.

Despite these struggles, there are still reasons for optimism when it comes to Bichette’s future with the Blue Jays. He is still just 22 years old and has shown flashes of his potential throughout the season. With some adjustments and better luck on balls in play, Bichette has the talent to bounce back and become a key contributor for the Blue Jays for years to come.

In conclusion, while Bo Bichette’s 2020 season may not have lived up to the expectations set by his impressive rookie campaign, there are underlying factors that have contributed to his struggles. By addressing his BABIP, strikeout rate, and power numbers, Bichette has the potential to turn things around and continue to be a valuable asset for the Toronto Blue Jays.