:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/51953209/DD1.0.jpeg)
Derek Dietrich was the ultimate jack-of-all-trades for the Marlins last season, as the 27 year old played multiple games at left field, first base, second base, and third base. This was Dietrich’s first full season, as he only spent five games in the minors last season when he was rehabbing from injury. Dietrich played a career high 128 games and he had a career high 351 at-bats, which allowed for the utility man to see his numbers increase.
Dietrich had career bests in batting average (.279), RBIs (42), doubles (20), and walks (32). Dietrich accomplished something he never had done before in July, as Dietrich had his first ever walk off hit against the St. Louis Cardinals. Dietrich’s triple helped defeat the Cardinals 5-4 which was a crucial victory for the Marlins, who were in the thick of the wild card race at the time.
Dietrich hit a lot better when he was going against righties, as he batted .297 against right-handed pitchers compared to a .200 batting average against lefties. He also seemed to do better on the road, as he batted .293 on the road, while batting .261 at home. Dietrich stayed consistent for most of the season, except in July, when he had his biggest slump of the season.
Dietrich batted a season-low .171, and he went through a dreadful 0-23 stretch during July. Other than July, Dietrich never batted lower than .270. Dietrich avoided many injuries during the season. The first came in May, when he was hit in the head by a foul ball. His next injury scare came only a few days later, when he was hit in the wrist by Tony Watson.
Dietrich only had a bone bruise in his wrist from that, but he couldn’t avoid the disabled list in August, when he was put on the 15-day DL after suffering a right knee contusion. Dietrich posted a BB% of 7.8%, which is a slight decline from 2015, when his BB% was 7.8%. Dietrich had a career low K% of 20.4%. Dietrich also posted a career best wRC, which increased from 40 to 59 in one season.
His ISO (Isolated Power) took a steep drop from 2015, as it went from .200 to .145. Dietrich will continue to be a major part of the Marlins core going forward. Dietrich could be traded for a starting pitcher, but if he stays put, he will continue to be a Swiss army knife for the Marlins.