Yelich remains consistent amid Marlins' slump

MIAMI -- At a time when the Marlins as a team have been in a slump, Christian Yelich has stayed hot.

A career-high 11-game hitting streak entering Friday has helped raise Yelich's average to .317, and the 22-year-old left fielder is getting on base at a .388 clip. With his single in the second inning on Friday night, Yelich raised his streak to 12 games.

Yelich is regarded as a pure hitter who has impressed with his patience and keen eye for the strike zone. He's already drawn seven walks and scored 11 runs.

Miami's first-round Draft pick in 2010, Yelich is emerging into the type of hitter many projected. In time, he projects to be a middle-of-the-order threat, but for now, he is a tablesetter for Giancarlo Stanton and Co.

The Thousand Oaks, Calif., native also is well-grounded when it comes to the highs and lows of a long season.

"Baseball is funny like that," Yelich said. "You've got cold streaks, hot streaks. I'm sure I'll be cold again, and you guys will be asking me, 'Why do you [stink]?'"

The streak started on April 3, and Yelich has had hits in all but two games he's started. During the streak, he is 17-for-46 (.370) with a .453 on-base percentage. He's got one double, one triple, four RBIs and nine runs scored.

"It's kind of just baseball. That's how it goes," Yelich said. "You try to ride out your highs as long as you can, and minimize those lows."