Paul Goldschmidt was the NL MVP in 2022, but last season was the worst statistically of his career: a .245/.302/.414 slash line that was his lowest across the board, a full-season career low 65 RBI, a 22-homer total that was second to only his rookie year for lowest ever, and a 1.3 WAR that was his lowest in any full season.
“I want to play at a high level so it was frustrating to not play well, but my feeling was like, ‘I’m better than this’ – but you have to go out and prove it,” Goldschmidt said Thursday in his introductory Zoom session with the media. “If you don’t perform, you won’t be playing; we’re paid to do a job, and I take it very seriously. I tried to put in as much work as I can, so if I didn’t play well, at least I’d have no regrets.”
But, Goldy still hit lefties hard and had a second-half surge, going .271/.391/.480 fueled by a .325 BAbip, with improvements across the slash line in each month of the second half.
“Something was a little off and it just created bad habits, and it took me a while to get back to a good position to hit. If you’re not, you’re playing uphill the whole time,” Goldschmidt said. “I was struggling to find it and it took me longer than it ever has to get back to it, but trying different things and drills, I found some things that work for me.”
Mental adjustments were part of that, too, because the game within a game became a game in his head as he was trying to work his way out of things – and a quick trip to Driveline Baseball helped that out.
“The game is always changing, and the way guys are pitching is, too. There were times where I was patient and pitchers got ahead quickly, and I’d sit in an 0-2 or 1-2 count, so just kind of understanding some of the changes and learning from them,” he said. “Every year is a new year, and everything evolves. It’s easy to say what’s wrong, but it’s not easy to figure out how to fix it and make those adjustments, and everyone is different. So I’ve always tried to seek out great hitters or coaches and try to work with them and learn from them.”
Here’s the thing with expecting that production to continue to tick up: even if Goldy is simply his 2024 self, that’s a vast improvement over the combination of Anthony Rizzo, Ben Rice, DJ LeMahieu and others, who posted a -1.1 WAR and MLB-worst .619 OPS at the position last year.
And, even if he is just his 2024 self in the box, he hopes that he can be at least an important cog in a championship lineup across the board.
“I want to play at a high level so it was frustrating to not play well, but my feeling was like, ‘I’m better than this’ – but you have to go out and prove it,” Goldschmidt said Thursday in his introductory Zoom session with the media. “If you don’t perform, you won’t be playing; we’re paid to do a job, and I take it very seriously. I tried to put in as much work as I can, so if I didn’t play well, at least I’d have no regrets.”
But, Goldy still hit lefties hard and had a second-half surge, going .271/.391/.480 fueled by a .325 BAbip, with improvements across the slash line in each month of the second half.
“Something was a little off and it just created bad habits, and it took me a while to get back to a good position to hit. If you’re not, you’re playing uphill the whole time,” Goldschmidt said. “I was struggling to find it and it took me longer than it ever has to get back to it, but trying different things and drills, I found some things that work for me.”
Mental adjustments were part of that, too, because the game within a game became a game in his head as he was trying to work his way out of things – and a quick trip to Driveline Baseball helped that out.
“The game is always changing, and the way guys are pitching is, too. There were times where I was patient and pitchers got ahead quickly, and I’d sit in an 0-2 or 1-2 count, so just kind of understanding some of the changes and learning from them,” he said. “Every year is a new year, and everything evolves. It’s easy to say what’s wrong, but it’s not easy to figure out how to fix it and make those adjustments, and everyone is different. So I’ve always tried to seek out great hitters or coaches and try to work with them and learn from them.”
Here’s the thing with expecting that production to continue to tick up: even if Goldy is simply his 2024 self, that’s a vast improvement over the combination of Anthony Rizzo, Ben Rice, DJ LeMahieu and others, who posted a -1.1 WAR and MLB-worst .619 OPS at the position last year.
And, even if he is just his 2024 self in the box, he hopes that he can be at least an important cog in a championship lineup across the board.
“I’m just trying to put in the work every day; I’d love to play amazing and have a great individual year, but it’s about the team,” Goldschmidt said. “I think the way to have a great season is focus on the fundamentals and things I can control, and work as hard as I can every day to be ready, just try to show up and give it my best every day and try to help the team win any way I can – play good defense, be a good baserunner, do the little things.”
He’s here for now, but Goldschmidt knows he’s not the future at first base, and whether it’s a competitor like Ben Rice, a youngster like Austin Wells, or anyone else who may come across his purview, one of those little things he plans to do is be a mentor.
“I’ll do whatever I can to help guys out,” he said. “I had so many players who helped me when I was young, and they sped up the learning curve, so I’m forever grateful. Everything I know about baseball or life, someone taught me, so I’m excited to do the same.”
“I’m just trying to put in the work every day; I’d love to play amazing and have a great individual year, but it’s about the team,” Goldschmidt said. “I think the way to have a great season is focus on the fundamentals and things I can control, and work as hard as I can every day to be ready, just try to show up and give it my best every day and try to help the team win any way I can – play good defense, be a good baserunner, do the little things.”
He’s here for now, but Goldschmidt knows he’s not the future at first base, and whether it’s a competitor like Ben Rice, a youngster like Austin Wells, or anyone else who may come across his purview, one of those little things he plans to do is be a mentor.
“I’ll do whatever I can to help guys out,” he said. “I had so many players who helped me when I was young, and they sped up the learning curve, so I’m forever grateful. Everything I know about baseball or life, someone taught me, so I’m excited to do the same.”
