The 1 Year Achilles Effect

We’ve all heard trainers, players, coaches say that professional athletes don’t get back to 100% until a year after they return from their Achilles injuries.  The first year back is a struggle, but they usually return to form in year two.

Is that happening with Ryan Howard or is he just on a hot streak that will shortly cool off?  Howard returned to the Phillies’ lineup from his Achilles injuyr on July 6, 2012.  That would mean that Phillies fans could expect Howard to be 100% by the following July 6th.  Has he improved a bit ahead of schedule?

For the month of June 2013, Ryan Howard is batting .357 with 3 HRs, 15 RBIs, an OBP of .442, SLG .643 and an OPS of 1.085.

Looking at batters with a minimum of 50 ABs in June, Howard’s average ranks 13th in MLB, his OBP ranks 10th in MLB, his SLG ranks 11th in MLB.  Most surprisingly, he’s drawn 11 walks to 22 strikeouts.  Those eleven walks in June, which rank Howard 17th in MLB in BB’s, are more than he had in March/April and May combined.

He could just be having a hot month. Or he could be getting healthy.  He’s still lacking power, but Howard has recently shown signs of that returning.  Maybe it’ll all come together on July 6, 2013. However, with the way this season has been going, it feels easier to think the streak will just fizzle out.  Keep hope alive. As Howard goes, so goes the Phillies.