I have noticed twice now that Carl Crawford had put his bat out to bunt in two consecutive games. The first time on Thursday was early in the game with no one on base, indicating he was going for a bunt hit. And Friday he squared again this time with a runner on and I believe he was on second base. But he pulled the back on Thursday and fouled off one pitch on Friday. So why am I telling you this? It is because Crawford rarely bunts anymore.
The last time Crawford had a successful sacrifice bunt was in 2007, and the last time he got a bunt single was in 2006! Just look at his career numbers:
| SH Att | SH Suc | Bunt Hit | ||
| 2002 | 7 | 6 | 4 | |
| 2003 | 7 | 1 | 5 | |
| 2004 | 5 | 4 | 1 | |
| 2005 | 9 | 5 | 4 | |
| 2006 | 16 | 9 | 3 | |
| 2007 | 1 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2008 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2009 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Total | 47 | 26 | 17 |
They just suddenly stop after 2006. Not sure if it is Joe Maddon’s doing or something Crawford decided on his own. Although I wouldn’t suggest he go back to bunting, rather once in a while, a surprise bunt could prove beneficial to the Rays in a tight game. Not sure how his bunting skils are now as he likely can;t bunt with the same authority as he once had.
BB-Ref
