For much of the first two months of the season, Manny Machado looked like a player fantasy managers were beginning to lose patience with.
From March 1 through May 31 , Machado hit just .174 with a 73 wRC+ . While the plate discipline remained solid (11.6% walk rate, 22.7% strikeout rate), the production simply wasn't there. His .353 slugging percentage was easily one of the weakest stretches of his career, and many managers began wondering if age had finally caught up to the Padres' superstar.
Since the calendar flipped to June, however, the underlying numbers tell a completely different story.
The Power Has Returned
From June 1 through July 6 , Machado has posted:
• .216 AVG
• .308 OBP
• .509 SLG
• 120 wRC+
• .293 ISO
At first glance, the .216 batting average doesn't jump off the page.
The slugging percentage does.
His isolated power has skyrocketed from .179 to .293 , a massive increase that signals the extra-base damage has returned. Machado isn't just making contact—he's driving the baseball again.
The Statcast Numbers Are Even More Encouraging
Perhaps the biggest reason to believe this surge is sustainable is that the quality of contact has improved across the board.
Since June 1:
• 14.8% Barrel Rate
• 42.0% Hard-Hit Rate
• 109.0 MPH Max Exit Velocity
• 90.0 MPH Average Exit Velocity
Compared to the first two months:
• Barrel Rate increased from 8.5% to 14.8%