Xander Bogaerts, serving as the leadoff batter for the San Diego Padres, has faced challenges in the early part of the season with struggling to track the ball.
This has led to criticism from fans at Petco Park. However, after a promising weekend performance against the Toronto Blue Jays, Bogaerts expresses a slightly improved sense of confidence. “Being in the leadoff spot is tough for me right now,” Bogaerts admitted to reporters.
“I won’t sugarcoat it. Every day I come to the ballpark, and I’m not fulfilling my role. It’s frustrating. It’s frustrating for me more than anyone else. I have a deep passion for this game and a strong desire to succeed, so it’s tough to see myself struggling. But I’ll maintain a positive mindset and keep pushing forward.”
In his recent outings, Bogaerts has shown signs of improvement, going 3-for-9 with a home run, three RBIs, one run scored, and six total bases over his last two games.
This includes his second home run of the season and his first multi-hit game since April 3. Additionally, he drew a bases-loaded walk, indicating a positive trend in his performance.
“I’m feeling good,” Bogaerts remarked. “The walk at the end is a positive sign. Throughout the year, I’ve mentioned that I’ve had better vision at the plate than usual. However, I had a couple of games with strikeouts in a row. So, hopefully, this momentum continues for a while.”
Despite Bogaerts’ recent struggles, his teammates remain steadfast in their support for him. “Xander has been one of the most reliable players throughout his career,” noted starting pitcher Joe Musgrove. “No one here doubts him. He’s finding his rhythm. He’s arguably the most dedicated worker, not only in pre-game preparations but also during the games.
“He’s always hustling back and forth from the dugout to the clubhouse to the cages to review video, refine his swing, and get locked in. We have faith in him and believe in his work ethic.”
