Percentage of balls (OUTSIDE strike zone) that Danny Espinosa swings at
2011 - 32.1%
2012 - 40.5%
2013 - 42.7%
2014 - 38.1%
2015 - 32.7%
Percentage of balls (INSIDE strike zone) that Danny Espinosa swings at
2014 - 70.8%
2015 - 77.1%
How often does Danny Espinosa make contact, when swinging at any pitch?
2011 - 75.1%
2012 - 70.6%
2013 - 70.0%
2014 - 66.0%
2015 - 78.3%
CAVEAT: Pitches are throwing more pitches in the strike zone than ever before, because they're not yet afraid of Espinosa again. It does look like he's being pitched to slightly differently.
But, until pitchers start throwing Danny lots of breaking balls again, there is strong evidence that he has changed his approach, he really is laying off more crappy pitches, and he is making way, way better contact when he swings, even if he swings at balls. If this change in plate approach is for real, then good Danny is back. And yes, he could be a 3-WAR player again (he's on pace for 4!).