Kolten Wong is a veteran infielder who has made a name for himself in Major League Baseball (MLB) over the course of his career. Known for his solid defense and consistent offensive production, Wong has been a key player for the teams he has played for.
However, in the 2023 MLB season, Wong has struggled at the plate, leading to questions about his future performance. Despite this, Wong recently had a strong performance against his former team, the St. Louis Cardinals, which has given hope to his fans and teammates.
In this blog post, we will take a closer look at Wong’s career, the circumstances surrounding his recent trade to the Seattle Mariners, and his struggles and recent resurgence at the plate.
Through Wong’s story, we can learn about the ups and downs of a professional athlete’s career and the importance of perseverance and resilience.
Kolten Wong’s Early Career
Kolten Wong’s baseball career began at the University of Hawaii, where he played for the school’s baseball team from 2009 to 2011. During his time there, Wong was a standout player, earning numerous accolades including the Western Athletic Conference Player of the Year award in 2011.
After his junior year, Wong was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in the first round of the 2011 MLB draft. He signed with the team and began his professional career.
Wong spent the next few years playing in the minor leagues, working his way up through the Cardinals’ farm system.
He played for several minor league teams, including the Quad Cities River Bandits, the Springfield Cardinals, and the Memphis Redbirds. During his time in the minors, Wong continued to impress, earning recognition as one of the top prospects in the Cardinals’ organization.
In 2013, Wong made his major league debut with the St. Louis Cardinals. He played in 32 games that season, primarily as a second baseman, and hit .153 with one home run and five RBI.
Over the next few seasons, Wong became a regular player for the Cardinals, playing both second base and center field. He helped lead the team to the playoffs in 2014 and 2015, and was a key player in the team’s run to the National League Championship Series in 2019.
Wong’s Time With the St. Louis Cardinals
Throughout his time with the St. Louis Cardinals, Kolten Wong played an important role on the team. He was known for his strong defense at second base, earning recognition as one of the best defensive second basemen in the league.
Wong was also a reliable offensive contributor, hitting for average and displaying good speed on the basepaths.
Wong had a number of notable achievements and milestones during his time with the Cardinals. In 2014, he was named the Cardinals’ Rookie of the Year, and in 2019 he won his first Gold Glove award for his outstanding defense.
Wong was also a two-time National League champion, helping lead the Cardinals to the World Series in 2013 and 2014.
In terms of offensive performance, Wong was a consistent hitter throughout his career with the Cardinals. He hit .261 over his seven seasons with the team, with a .333 on-base percentage and a .384 slugging percentage.
Wong was particularly effective against left-handed pitchers, hitting .304 against them over his career.
Defensively, Wong was one of the best second basemen in the league. He was known for his quick reflexes, range, and strong arm, and was a key part of the Cardinals’ defensive success.
Over his career with the team, Wong accumulated a 29.3 defensive WAR, demonstrating the impact he had on the Cardinals’ overall defensive performance.
Trade to the Seattle Mariners
In December of 2022, Kolten Wong was traded to the Seattle Mariners in exchange for a player to be named later. The trade came as something of a surprise, as Wong had been a key player for the Cardinals in recent years.
However, the Cardinals were looking to make some changes to their roster, and the Mariners were in need of a second baseman.
The trade generated mixed reactions from fans and analysts. Some were surprised that the Cardinals would trade a player of Wong’s caliber, while others felt that the team needed to make some changes in order to improve. Many Mariners fans were excited to acquire Wong, seeing him as a key addition to the team.
In his first few games with the Mariners, Wong struggled at the plate, hitting just .143 over his first 10 games. However, he quickly rebounded and began to show signs of the offensive production that he had been known for in St. Louis.
By mid-season, Wong was hitting over .300 for the Mariners, and was once again playing solid defense at second base. While the trade was initially met with some skepticism, it appeared that Wong was settling in nicely with his new team.
Struggles at the Plate
In the 2023 MLB season, Kolten Wong has struggled at the plate for much of the year. Prior to his recent strong performance against the Cardinals, Wong was hitting just .212 with one home run and 10 RBI.
These numbers were well below his career averages, and were a cause for concern for both Wong and the Mariners.
There are several possible explanations for Wong’s poor performance at the plate. One factor may be the transition to a new team and a new city, which can sometimes take players time to adjust to.
Additionally, Wong may be feeling pressure to live up to the expectations that come with being a key acquisition for the Mariners.
Other factors that could be contributing to Wong’s struggles include changes in his approach at the plate, physical or mental fatigue, and the quality of pitching he has faced this season.
When compared to his previous seasons, Wong’s 2023 performance at the plate is well below his career averages. Over his career, Wong has hit .262 with a .333 on-base percentage and a .383 slugging percentage.
In 2022, Wong hit .270 with 11 home runs and 57 RBI for the Cardinals, demonstrating that he is capable of being a productive offensive player.
While it is still early in the 2023 season, Wong will need to improve his performance at the plate in order to meet the expectations that come with being a veteran infielder in the league.
Sunday’s Performance Against the Cardinals
On Sunday, Kolten Wong had a strong performance against his former team, the St. Louis Cardinals. He went 3-for-4 at the plate, with one run scored and one stolen base.
Wong’s hits included a double and two singles, and he looked comfortable and confident at the plate throughout the game.
Wong’s success on Sunday was likely due to a combination of factors. For one, he may have simply had a good day at the plate, making good contact with the ball and finding gaps in the defense.
Additionally, Wong may have benefited from the familiarity he has with the Cardinals’ pitching staff and their tendencies. He may have been able to anticipate certain pitches and locations, giving him an edge at the plate.
Wong’s strong performance on Sunday could have important implications for his future performance with the Mariners. If he is able to build on this success and continue to hit well, he could become a key player for the team and help them compete in the American League.
Additionally, Wong’s success could help him build confidence and momentum, which could carry over into future games. However, it is important to remember that one good game does not necessarily mean that Wong’s struggles at the plate are over.
He will need to continue to work on his approach and make adjustments in order to be a consistent offensive contributor for the Mariners.
Kolten Wong’s Offensive Statistics for the 2023 Season as of Mid-season
| Statistic | Number |
|---|---|
| Batting average | .247 |
| On-base percentage | .311 |
| Slugging percentage | .364 |
| Home runs | 2 |
| RBI | 16 |
| Runs | 20 |
| Stolen bases | 8 |
The table shows that Wong’s offensive performance has improved since his slow start to the season, but is still below his career averages.
His batting average and on-base percentage are slightly below his career marks, while his slugging percentage is significantly lower.
However, Wong has shown good speed on the basepaths with 8 stolen bases, and has been able to contribute to the Mariners’ offense in other ways.
FAQs
How has Wong’s defensive performance been with the Mariners so far?
While much of the focus has been on Wong’s struggles at the plate, he has continued to play strong defense at second base for the Mariners. Through mid-season, Wong had a .990 fielding percentage and had turned 30 double plays, demonstrating his defensive prowess.
What other teams were interested in acquiring Wong in the trade?
It is unclear which other teams were interested in trading for Wong, but it is likely that there were several given his reputation as a solid defensive infielder and consistent offensive contributor.
How has Wong’s performance been impacted by injuries?
Wong has had a few minor injuries over the course of his career, but there is no indication that any injuries are impacting his current performance at the plate. Most of Wong’s injuries have been related to his legs or feet, but he has been able to play through them for the most part.
Has Wong ever won any other awards or honors besides the Rookie of the Year and Gold Glove?
Yes, Wong has won a few other awards and honors over the course of his career. In 2013, he was named the Pacific Coast League’s Rookie of the Year while playing for the Memphis Redbirds. He was also named to the All-Star team in 2019, and won the Fielding Bible Award for second base in both 2019 and 2020.
How has Wong’s approach at the plate changed over the course of his career?
Wong has made some adjustments to his approach at the plate over the years, particularly in terms of his stance and swing. In recent years, he has tried to be more selective with his pitches and has worked to hit the ball to all fields. These adjustments have helped him become a more well-rounded hitter and a more effective offensive player overall.
Conclusion
Kolten Wong’s career has been marked by both success and struggles. He has established himself as one of the best defensive second basemen in the league, and has been a consistent offensive contributor throughout his career.
However, in the 2023 season, Wong has struggled at the plate, leading to questions about his future performance.
Despite this, Wong recently had a strong performance against his former team, the St. Louis Cardinals, demonstrating that he is still capable of being a productive offensive player.
While it is still early in the season, this performance could have important implications for Wong’s future performance with the Seattle Mariners.
Through Wong’s story, we can see the importance of perseverance and resilience in the face of challenges. As a professional athlete, Wong has faced numerous obstacles throughout his career, but has always found a way to bounce back and continue to compete at a high level.
Whether he is able to continue this trend with the Mariners remains to be seen, but fans and teammates alike will be rooting for him to succeed.
