Mikes' Minor League OPS:
vs. LHP: .787
vs. RHP: .812
His GB, FB, LD % are all basically identical regardless of pitcher handedness.
"He'll NEVER hit same-handed pitching" is an internet couch-potato-scout creation. The reason people said he'd never do it is because he made a quantum leap against RHP in 2008 and 2009 and his LHP skills lagged behind.
2008: .737 LHP, .855 RHP (better)
2009: .702 LHP, 1.049 RHP (wow).
But until his 2009 numbers are added up, he was dead even against both. Dead even and not spectacular, but he was young and raw. I don't penalize a guy for taking the leap he needs to make against the side he sees twice as often. Give him enough at-bats vs left-handed pitching and I think he'll come around. I think he already is, but I expect some more slumps in that regard before it all clicks.
I agree with the consensus that his stroke looks better against opposite-handed fellas...but I don't see why he can't be an average hitter against LHP. He's looked like Shin-soo Choo his whole minor league career.
Choo's Minor League OPS ages 22-24 (1000ish at-bats):
vs LHP: .697
vs RHP: .857
Career minor league lines through age 23-24:
Saunders: .276/.361/.441/.802
Choo: .298/.386/.454/.840 (Choo was the older player and had more minor league ABs)
Would you take Choo back in LF? Cuz I certainly would. Even if Saunders is Choo-lite (which is all I think he will be) a 110-120 OPS+ from the corner again would be welcome. Putting that position back into Raul Ibanez/Jose Guillen territory with better defense for basically free would be a welcome change.
Hopefully Saunders can keep making strides in that regard the rest of the season.
~G