Chirinos’ hitting takes a plunge

Deteriorating body mechanics and the grind of everyday catching are to blame for Robinson Chirinos’ profound struggles at the plate.

Once an offensive force near the bottom of the Astros’ order, the 35-year-old catcher is mired in a 9-for-63 slump during his last 21 games. Chirinos is slashing .143/.286/.175 with 29 strikeouts in his last 77 plate appearances and was not in Tuesday’s starting lineup.

“His body mechanics are a little bit messed up,” Astros manager A.J. Hinch said Tuesday. “He’s rotating a little bit early. He looks a tick slow to his load, and some of that comes with the position. Some of that comes with trying to tinker with too many things and getting a little too cerebral with your adjustments. It’s been something he’s been working on behind the scenes and in the cages.”

On June 6, Chirinos’ OPS eclipsed .900. He ranked near the top of offensive leader boards among American League catchers. The first-year Astro even made the All-Star Game final fan vote for consideration to start the Midsummer Classic.

Since June 16, though, Chirinos’ batting average has dipped to .216. His OPS is .772. Fifteen of his 36 plate appearances during July have ended in strikeouts.

Hinch and the organization as a whole often judge their catchers far more on defensive ability. Offensive production, particularly with power, is a bonus.

“He’s trying to get a feel that he hasn’t had consistently for a little while now,” Hinch said. “(But) I love how he approaches every at-bat. He’s not putting his hitting in front of his catching.”