KANSAS CITY -- Two thirds of the way through an interview on Wednesday, Indians hitting coach Ty Van Burkleo said something about Lonnie Chisenhall's season that could have come directly out of Jack Handey's "Deep Thoughts."
"You talk about him being hot but maybe he's not hot. He's been consistent the whole year."
It is also something that is starting to gain more credence the longer we get into the year. Van Burkleo does have a point. The lowest Chisenhall's average has been this season is .325 on May 13. In the 26 games since then he is 41 for 91 (.451) with nine doubles, seven home runs and 29 RBI.
In Wednesday's 4-1 loss to Kansas City, Chisenhall extended his hitting streak to a career-best nine games as he went 2 for 3. Going into Thursday's four-game series at Boston, Chisenhall is hitting .393 but is 16 plate appearances short of qualifying for the league leaders. To qualify, a player must average 3.1 plate appearances per team game and Chisenhall is at 2.86.
However, if the season ended today and under Rule 10.22 (a), if a player was charged with the required number of plate appearances, Chisenhall would be batting .359 and would have a 24-point lead over Texas' Alex Rios.
No one has worked more with Chisenhall since the end of last season than Van Burkleo. When it comes to the turnaround, Van Burkleo credits two things -- maturity and patience at the plate.
"Not putting a lot of pressure on himself for personal performance. Going into the offseason he reflected on his year and did a lot of soul searching," Van Burkleo said. "A lot of it is mental, getting his head where he needs it to be. He's made swing adjustments and committed to it.
"He is looking to drive the ball through the middle of the diamond. He's putting the barrel on the ball consistently. There's no tension in his swing. He's relaxed and getting his body in good position to put a quality swing on it."
Chisenhall said that he talks to Van Burkleo after ever at-bat and agreed that the biggest improvements have been in the mental approach -- to go up there with a plan and not waver from it.
The biggest example of that came during the third inning of last Friday's game in Arlington. Facing Yu Darvish, Chisenhall was able to work it to a full count and got the pitch he wanted -- a slider -- which he hit for a three-run homer off the right-field foul pole.
On full counts this season, Chisenhall is 5 for 11 and is hitting .385 (27 for 82) when there are two strikes on him.
"He's found a way even against tough pitching to do something and put a hit in there or get a big RBI or get a good at-bat," Van Burkleo said. "His at-bats have been quality all year so it's been fun to watch him mature."
Added Chisenhall: "There are good times to take chances. I'm learning when in the count a good situation is and refining my approach."
It is the second straight June where an Indians player has come into his own. Last year Jason Kipnis hit .419 with four home runs and 25 RBI en route to winning American League Player of the Month and earning an All-Star Game appearance. So far this month, Chisenhall is 18 of 38 (.474) with four home runs and 17 RBI.
Said Kipnis about Chisenhall's season: "It's fun to watch. It's just being in a groove. A lot of the pitches when you are in a slump look like they are on the black and on the corners. When you are in a hot streak they look like they are over the middle of the plate. You are always attacking the right pitches. You're not missing. He's swinging at the right pitches and not missing."
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