He's baaaack. Mike is.

This weekend we see Mike Napoli...the guy we haven't seen in a long, long time. A non-crippled Mike Napoli. Remember the chants from last season? Remember the catcher who was one of the top 5 hitters in baseball during the second half of last year?

Even if we don't see last year's elite version...but merelythe career-ave Naps... it will be BIG for our team. The average fan whiffs when it comes to understanding Napoli...being overly fixated on that .250-.260 Batting Average. Mike accompanies that average with devastating on-base rate and power. Mike's .250 is far more meaningful in run production than say, for example a Michael Young's .270.

Just how hobbled was Mike? Even now, after weeks of rest and reconditioning, he says, "I don't think I'm running at full speed, but I'm able to run around the bases at a decent pace and I feel good catching."

Don't underestimate him...even with all his injuries...and all his time missed...he still hit 17 homers this year.

Over his career...the 127 wRC+ is outstanding for a catcher.

Hopefully he'll do something about that 31% SO rate. Glad he's back though in case there's still a little lightning left in the bottle.

If he's still a little hobbled then I think we're better off running him out there about half of the time at catcher and no more. Soto has been doing just fine back there and we don't need to rush him. I do agree that he has some valuable intangibles for the team, but I don't think that now is the time to risk further injury or hinder the possibility of him getting maybe at least close to 100%. I still think he can be even more valuable come playoff time.

Go Nap. Seems like there's enough time to shake the rust off before post season.

It's remarkable that Napoli was playing as much as he was...while quite injured. That thing still hasn't heeled up yet.

But again: I forecast serious productivity fromt the Napster...esp. in the playoffs.

Nobody works a count and EARNS a free pass quite like Mike...and some of his home runs are pure majesty. On top of it all...the Italian Stallion just as that certain something that he brings to the energy and the chemistry.

Monster Mike reintroduced himself tonight, eh?

2 homers, a double and a walk today. What a titan!

His OPS is now back over .800 for the season. More after the game.

1,163 Sept/Oct OPS.

Far be it from me to mention I completely called this.