A History of Success
Josh Hader has been one of the most dominant relievers in baseball over the past several seasons. In 2018, he won the NL Reliever of the Year Award after posting a 2.43 ERA and striking out 143 batters in 81.1 innings. He followed that up with another strong season in 2019, finishing with a 2.62 ERA and 138 strikeouts in 75.2 innings.
Recent Struggles
However, Hader has struggled mightily in 2020. In 11 appearances, he has a 8.22 ERA and has allowed 15 earned runs in 15.2 innings. He has also walked 10 batters and struck out just 19.
Possible Explanations
There are a few possible explanations for Hader’s recent struggles.
1. Injury
Hader has been dealing with a shoulder injury this season. It is possible that this injury is affecting his performance.
2. Mechanical Issues
Hader’s mechanics have been a bit off this season. He is not getting the same extension on his pitches, and his release point is not as consistent.
3. Mental Block
It is also possible that Hader is experiencing a mental block. He may be pressing too much, and this is leading to his poor performance.
Conclusion
It is too early to say whether Hader is jinxed or broken. However, it is clear that he is not the same pitcher that he was in 2018 and 2019. There are a few possible explanations for his recent struggles, including injury, mechanical issues, and a mental block. It remains to be seen whether Hader can overcome these challenges and return to his previous form.
Kind regards Z. McDowell.