Batter’s Box: Wig Wam Pham

If you’ve been riding the Tommy Pham train then you’re probably wondering if or when it will end. And if Pham is out there on the waiver wire, you might be...

If you've been riding the Tommy Pham train then you're probably wondering if or when it will end. And if Pham is out there on the waiver wire, you might be looking at him thinking "I think I should pick him up?" Especially after last night's 2-5, 2 HR, 2 R, 2 RBI performance. You probably know what I'm about to say though, right? Here's the thing: most of what Pham is doing is an illusion, don't trust him. Here's the big, gigantic red flag with Pham: he's hitting a lower hard hit rate than 2016 (36.3% this year compared to 42.7% last year) when he hit nine home runs (as many as he has now) in 35 more games than he's currently played. And on top of that, he has a 34.6% HR/FB rate. That's right, a 34.6% HR/FB rate, and he plays most of his games in a pitchers park. That's absurd, and there's no way that's keeping up, especially with his hard hit rate. That HR/FB rate is going to plummet soon, and with it, his power numbers and his batting average. I expect Pham to be somewhere around a .250s hitter the rest of the season with a shot at ending the year with 20 home runs. If you want to ride the streak for now, I get it, but be warned, it will end.

Let's take a look at some of the other performances from Wednesday:

Unlock the full article
with PL Pro

Subscribe to the Pitcher List Newsletter

Your daily update on everything Pitcher List

Ben Palmer

Senior columnist at Pitcher List. Lifelong Orioles fan, also a Ravens/Wizards/Terps fan. I also listen to way too much music, watch way too many movies, and collect way too many records.

2 responses to “Batter’s Box: Wig Wam Pham”

  1. Jimbo says:

    ROS – J Bell or T Frazier?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Account / Login