My concern with Joey is that I fear he is just not a very bright individual. I really don’t mean that to be disrespectful and condescending, although it’s hard to say that without it coming off that way.
That said, the Brewers seem to like players (as do I) that tend to play smart baseball and make heady adjustments. Joey seems to be very talented instinctively, but when it comes to swing decisions I have rarely seen someone make such poor decisions. Maybe it has nothing to do with intelligence, and comes mores from something like anxiety or pressure. We obviously know not keeping those things in check can tank at bats.
Whatever the case, I have not seen another individual pass on so many balls down the pipe, and choose to swing at such horrid offerings. I just fear that is something that is not likely to be “fixed” if he couldn’t fix it over 500 plus plate appearances last year.
On the other hand, he has never looked the same at the plate since his neck injury mid 2024. So perhaps it is not mental and is more physiological. I am hoping for the best, but in the case of his offense, I am prepared for the worst - in the league :(