MLB’s One-Season Wonders: Jacoby Ellsbury and 2011
Who says one-season wonders have to be under the radar? Outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury was a productive player for both the Red Sox and the Yankees. However, one season stands above all; it was his monster 2011 campaign with Boston.
Before 2011
Jacoby Ellsbury was a highly touted prospect surging through the Boston farm system. Many compared him to Johnny Damon, due to his dazzling speed and stellar outfield defense.
The Red Sox called up Ellsbury in 2007. He played well, eventually earning the spot as the team’s everyday center fielder. Jacoby wowed on the basepaths and was very solid at the plate. He stole as many as 70 bases in 2009, which is a feat that hasn’t been done since.
Ellsbury didn’t display much power during this period but had a good slash of .291/.344/.405 between 2007-10. That was until 2011 came along.
2011
The power surge in Ellsbury’s bat in 2011 was unprecedented. He clobbered an astounding 32 home runs, drove in 105, and batted .321/.376/.552 — all of which were career highs. Jacoby added 39 stolen bases that year, establishing him as a member of the 30-30 club. He also had a career-high 146 OPS+.
Of course, the league rewarded him for his excellent performance. Ellsbury finished second in MVP voting behind pitcher Justin Verlander. He earned a trip to the All-Star game and also gathered a Silver Slugger and Gold Glove. Talk about a year.
After 2011
Sadly, he couldn’t replicate this sort of offensive success. The speed was always a factor in Jacoby’s game, but the power never really made a return.
Solid seasons followed, and in 2014, Ellsbury signed a staggering seven-year, $153 million deal with the Yankees. It was clear that New York was trying to capitalize on the success Jacoby had in 2011. That short porch in Yankee Stadium is a paradise for power hitters.
However, his numbers slunk even further upon putting on pinstripes. Combined from 2012-2017 he slashed .272/.333/.392 with 52 home runs and a below-average OPS+ of 98. Slowly but surely, Ellsbury’s speed also decreased and was only averaging 21 stolen bases during his last three seasons.
Injuries hindered Jacoby’s performance with the last few seasons being incredibly disappointing. In his final big-league season, he dealt with a foot and shoulder injury, as well as plantar fasciitis. At the end of the year, Ellsbury retired at the ripe age of 33. Many call his New York contract one of the worst ever.
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