Pirates Neil Walker Smoking Hot at the All-Star Break

Andrew McCutchen has been getting all of the attention. Meanwhile, Neil Walker has been feasting at the plate.

In his last ten games, Walker is hitting .487 with two bombs. For the month of July, Walker is hitting .500 and slugging a stupid .900.

It was probably difficult to come off the field after a 5-for-5 highlight day on Sunday when he homered, doubled, scored four times and drove in two runs.

The Pirates second baseman will ride a 12-game hitting streak when the Bucs roll into Milwaukee this weekend.  Walk has also shown some tendencies which should pay off in the second half of the season as well.

Walker is hitting more line drives than he ever has in his career – 26.1 percent, according to Fangraphs.   The volume of linedrives makes us not as concerned about his high BABIP.  The power of Pine Richland has also reduced his flyball percentage to a career low.

He is working the base on balls more than ever this season, and his .357 OBP is also a career high.  He posted a .370 OBP in June and for the month of July has a .559.

The hometown kid will continue to rise in the ranks of MLB secondbasemen if he can continue to reduce strikeouts and rake linedrives.    Come on Friday night – get here quick!