Let’s also remember Reyes has never failed before. Sure, he struggled when he first came up, but he improved in his second full year and was improving again in his third until he slumped in the second half. Now he’s facing his first extended struggle and he’s not sure how to right the ship. You can see it on his face, how much it’s killing him. He’s clearly pressing – jumping at pitches instead of trusting his hands, taking extra time to set his feet instead of just fielding the ball and throwing.

Not to sound like Ron Darling (although there are a lot worse people to sound like), but I believe Jose will learn something about himself during this process and emerge as a much better player.

That said, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t concerned.

I wouldn’t go that far. First, he’s still young. David Wright is a freak of nature in his maturity at such a young age, and Reyes suffers by comparison. Reyes is still the same age as a typical MLB rookie.

Second, by all accounts, Reyes is genuinely beloved by his teammates. I don’t think that would be the case if he had an attitude.

Reyes plays the game with a childlike enthusiasm that masks how hard he competes and how dedicated he is. Remember when everyone was killing Willie for being too stupid to realize Reyes “will never be a leadoff hittter”? Well, he’s increased his walks each year – from 27 to 53 to 77 (and he was on pace for 100 before his second half slump). Can you recall another player in history whose plate discipline improved that much that fast?

A player who lacks dedication and who’s not 100 percent committed to improving himself would never have pulled that off.

That said, I agree with theperfectgame. Middle infielders have crossed the line on Reyes. They are deliberately dropping their knees in the baseline hoping to block his path to the base and make him skittish of contact. He needs to go in feet first once or twice & slice the crap out of someone’s thigh. It’ll never happen again.

How many groundballs have found an empty space for Reyes? I can remember one. He’s just not getting anything to fall.

More line drives
More groundballs
Higher HR%
less flyballs
less popouts

And yet his BABIP is 35 points lower than last year. It won’t continue. We all just overreact every time Reyes hits a ball in the air unless it’s for extra bases.

Obviously, it’s grreat that he’s hitting more GB’s and can take addvantage of his speed. Making that adjustment may be why he’s struglling at the plate, but that doesn’t explain his struggles in the field. He’s made 5 errors already, and that doesn’t include bone-headed plays like not covering 2nd in a rundown.

I hope you’re righht about him having a big May, but I’m more than a little concerned.