by Juan Leer

Created on: October 13, 2010

Mark Reynolds is one of the most interesting players statistically in the MLB. He is definitely an outlier and a very unique player, with a unique skill set that allows him to be productive and still be an everyday player for the Arizona Diamondbacks. He has strengths, and he also has weaknesses.

Let's start with the good. He is a very solid power hitter, as he hit for 32 HR this season. He was even better when he hit 44 HR in 2009, and he had 28 and 17 in the two seasons before that. He is one of the premier power hitters in the game, and pitchers have to constantly be aware of his ability to hit one out of the park. He is also a very patient hitter, as he is able to draw a lot of walks each season. His OBP is generally at least 100 points better than his average, which is a good sign that he is a patient hitter. Reynolds is also underrated athletically, as he did steal 24 bases a season ago.

Then, there is the bad about Mark Reynolds' game. One quick look at his 2010 statistics would reveal that his batting average was a paltry (to be kind) .198. That is especially bad for someone that got over 500 ABs, and he will need to improve if he is going to remain an everyday player. He did hit .260 a year ago, and at that level he is a very productive player. Reynolds is also one of the most strikeout prone players in the MLB. Over the past 3.5 seasons, he had struck out almost 800 times, and is over 200 for each of the last three season, which is the unofficial mark for strikeout ineptitude. He has a lot of power when he does make contact, but too often he fails to do so.

Mark Reynolds definitely does have the talent and skill set to be a very good, productive player in the MLB. He showed as much in 2009, when he was one of the best hitters in the National League, hitting 44 HR with an OPS of almost .900. However, in 2010 he regressed to hitting below the Mendoza Line, which he needs to be able to do better if he is going to stick to being an everyday player. The Diamondbacks are counting on him to be a key piece in their organization and in their future, and so they need him to get back to the player that he was in 2009.

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