Cameron Maybin’s success this season isn’t an accident.
A surprising bright spot from the Craig Kimbrel trade, Maybin is batting .348 in his last 33 games with five doubles, two home runs, 21 RBIs, 19 runs, eight stolen bases and a .419 on-base percentage. Over the last four games, he’s 11-19 with four RBIs.
But just one year ago, Maybin was an average center fielder getting paid not-so-average money in San Diego. In the three seasons after he signed a five-year, $25 million contract extension with the Padres, Maybin hit .235 with 10 homers and 65 RBIs while compiling just 15 more hits than strikeouts over 256 games.
Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said he isn’t surprised by Maybin’s success in Atlanta.
“He’s really bought into (hitting coach Kevin) Seitzer and (assistant hitting coach Jose) Castro’s approach,” Gonzalez said before Monday’s game against the Padres. “There were spurts with him in 2011, 2012 when he was with the Padres. He’s carrying it over now and he’s doing it for a long time now.”
In the clubhouse before Monday’s game, Maybin said health has been a big part of his newfound success. He played just 14 games in 2013 due to various injuries, and he ruptured his left biceps tendon the following spring training.
“Luckily I’ve been healthy this year and it’s been fun to go out and know that no matter what happens I still have my health behind me,” Maybin said. “(It) gives me an opportunity to go out each and every day to play, to do something special.”
Maybin also played winter ball in the Dominican Republic this year with Los Toros del Este to get some more at-bats after missing 67 games last season. According to the team’s website, Maybin hit .324 in 34 at-bats with Los Toros.
“It’s just work, you’ve got to work,” Maybin said. “You can never stop working, you can never stop learning. You’ve got to go out and try new things.”
The 28-year-old center fielder has two years left on his current contract and a $9 million club option in 2017.
