![Joey Votto isn't hitting for power or average so far in 2019. [Image Source: Flickr | Jamie Smed]](https://staticr1.blastingcdn.com/media/photogallery/2019/5/16/660x290/b_502x220x82/joey-votto-isnt-hitting-for-power-or-average-so-far-in-2019-image-source-flickr-jamie-smed_2265301.jpg "Joey Votto isn't hitting for power or average so far in 2019. [Image Source: Flickr | Jamie Smed]")
Now that each MLB team has played at least 41 games, we have officially reached (and slightly surpassed) the quarter mark of the 2019 regular season.
Not everyone has gotten off to the start that they have hoped for. These players have seen their share of struggles at the plate or mound through the first 40+ games of the 2019 regular season.
Here is the most disappointing player at each position so far this year as the regular season is around 25 percent complete. Remember this is a subjective list, and these players still have three-quarters of the year to turn it around. This also isn't the worst player at each position, this is most disappointing as compared to what was expected of them once the season began.
Second base - Robinson Cano, New York Mets
CBS Sports explained how both Cano's strikeout rates and swing-and-miss rates in 2019 are far higher than what they previously were in his career. His .257 average and .388 slugging percentage would both be the lowest of his career by a fairly large margin.
Catcher - Francisco Cervelli, Pittsburgh Pirates
It was arguably the best season at the plate for Cervelli in 2018 as he posted career-highs in both homers (12) and OPS (.809). Fast-forward a year, and Cervelli is hitting a microscopic .179 with a miserable .236 slugging percentage due to only three extra-base hits (two doubles, one home run).
Shortstop - Corey Seager, Los Angeles Dodgers
Finishing third in NL MVP voting as a rookie in 2016 and winning a Silver Slugger in 2017, the Dodgers were happy to welcome Seager back this year after he played just 26 games in 2018 after undergoing Tommy John surgery. He hasn't shown much power through his first 172 plate appearances with just three homers and he currently owns a, somewhat pedestrian, .242 average.
First base - Joey Votto, Cincinnati Reds
Votto recently told MLB.com that he was "annoyed" with the start to this season, and it's likely his fantasy baseball owners are as well. The six-time All-Star showed signs of losing his power in 2018, but now he isn't hitting long balls or hitting for average. His current .215 average and .328 on-base percentage are a far cry from his career marks of .311 and .427 respectively entering the season.
Third base - Jose Ramirez, Cleveland Indians
Finishing third each of the past two seasons in AL MVP voting, the Indians are still waiting for Ramirez's bat to wake up. He sits just under the Mendoza line with his average (.196) and his OPS of .603 is light-years from the .948 he posted from 2017-18.
Left field - Juan Soto, Washington Nationals
While Soto was slightly overshadowed by fellow rookie Ronald Acuna Jr. last season, he did have one of the best rookie seasons in recent memory. It's not like 19-year-olds often have .406 on-base percentages as he did last year. He's only batting .228 to begin 2019, and he is striking out once every 3.54 plate appearances compared to once every 4.99 in 2018.
Center field - Brandon Nimmo, New York Mets
Nimmo was superb for the Mets in 2018 finishing with an impressive .886 OPS. That hasn't been the case so far in 2019, as he's seen precipitous drops in both is batting average (.198) and OPS (.680).
Right field - Bryce Harper, Philadelphia Phillies
Fresh off signing a 13-year, $330 million deal to join the Phillies this offseason, Harper is scuffling to the tune of a .221 batting average. While he's still elite at drawing walks, he's striking out once every 3.26 plate appearances.
Starting pitcher - Aaron Nola, Phillies
Finishing third in NL Cy Young voting in 2018, Nola ranks 70th in ERA (4.86) and 83rd in WHIP (1.55) among 87 qualified pitchers. He has looked better in his last four starts though pitching to a 2.53 ERA.
Closer - Jose Leclerc - Texas Rangers
Leclerc was absolutely dominant last season ending with a 1.56 ERA and 85 strikeouts in 57.2 innings. In 42 less innings so far this year, he has already given up one more earned run (11) than all of last season while his walk rate has nearly doubled.
