Nick Sogard creating spark in lead-off spot in Worcester
When the WooSox placed David Hamilton on the IL due to a left thumb sprain, the team was in need of a lead-off man. That spot has been secured by Hamilton ever since the early season call-up of Jarren Duran. With Hamilton out, the spot has belonged to Nick Sogard.
Sogard found himself towards the bottom of the lineup to begin the 2023 season. WooSox manager Chad Tracy didn’t see that as a negative thing and had called it a “double lead-off man situation”. Sogard also was called “the unluckiest hitter” in the WooSox lineup for a solid two week stretch.
Since that two week stretch in May, Sogard has been getting on base at a high level. Over the 16 games he played in April, he carried a .225 batting average and his OPS peaked just over .700. Compare that to May, in which Sogard put up a .314 batting average and an OPS at .824. His hot streak in May is rolling into June.
Without Hamilton at the top of the lineup, the WooSox have not missed a beat with Sogard in his spot. In his four games in June, Sogard is 8-18 with three walks. That effort is good for a .524 on-base percentage, which is everything and more you could ask for from your lead-off man. The switch hitter is also getting it done at both sides of the plate, as his numbers are almost identical against right-handers and left-handers.
It is a bonus that you also get elite defensive play from Sogard on top of his hot bat. The California native has played second base, shortstop, third base, left field, and right field.
The WooSox finally return home this week after a two weeklong road trip. The lineup figures to feature Adam Duvall and Yu Chang as they get closer to their MB returns.
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