Peter Bourjos: Home Run Hitter

Peter Bourjos, in an attempt to reclaim his center field job, has apparently become a power hitter.

After a brutally slow start to 2012 (.167/.231/.250 in 53 April plate appearances), future Hall of Famer Mike Trout forced his way into the daily lineup. With Mark Trumbo‘s shaky defense but impressive offense hidden in a corner outfield and Torii Hunter, Bourjos found himself reserved to a bench role.

His center field defense is world class but I was dubious of last year’s breakout season at the plate. Well, the speedy outfielder hit his third home run of the season on Tuesday night. It was the second home run he hit over the fence and in back to back games (the other homer was inside the park back on 4/11). Bourjos hit a 379 foot bomb off of Brian Matusz in Baltimore (Mark Trumbo launched one 448) and hit one 413 feet against Aaron Harang on Sunday.

Yep, the reborn Bourjos is now an OPS machine with two home runs and a .429/.500/1.429 slash line in his last eight plate appearances. Watch out American League pitchers.

What’s that? The smallest sample size possible, you say? I, for one, don’t believe in your voodoo SSS.

(Just kidding, sabermetricians)