Article: How Miguel Sano Can Fix His Swing

[DocBauer]

Kepler has fared much better at fastballs up this year. In fact, 5 of his home runs have come on fastballs up in the zone (like this one, this one, and this one).

2. It's possible that's what they are working on -- driving things to right-center. Here's another stat that missed the cut for the article: the volume of fastballs middle-in that he yanks foul is staggering. He's fouled off 65% of fastballs he's swung at on the middle-third, the highest in baseball. That says to me he's trying to pull those pitches with a vengeance. And that's fine. Do damage. However, the more times you miss something middle-in and foul it off, the quicker you might get to two-strikes. The quicker you get to two-strikes, the more likely you will see those stupid sliders and spinning fastballs at your letters. If he makes adjustments and starts driving those pitches early (instead of fouling them off), he could get on a tear.

[DocBauer]

Grrrr.....was attempting to quote point #2 about the number of middle to in pitches being yanked foul and blew it somehow.

 

Parker, to me that goes back not only to his late "cocking" of his hands, but also the sense he is leaning forward in his stance. Not saying he is off balance, but his left shoulder seems to be tilted in and down. To me, that would seem he is having a hard time opening up quickly enough to barrell up on those balls and drive them straight and true SOMEWHERE.

 

Do you feel that his late cock of the hands is a device to just mash the ball? He has so much natural strength, I would think a slightly more "upright" stance and earlier placement of the hands would allow much quicker reaction time, as stated, but drive the middle in pitches so much better.

 

Might also allow him to lay off the outside stuff more. Forget covering the plate when down in the count, if your whole body stance is focused downward those outside pitches would inevitably look more reachable when they are not.

 

Your analysis is outstanding! But with all due respect, shouldn't Rowson and the entire analytics staff be able to see these same things? Maybe you need to apply for, at the least, a part time job working for our beloved Twins.

[Parker Hageman]

Do you feel that his late cock of the hands is a device to just mash the ball?

 

 

It might be to him but, mechanically speaking, there are plenty of large individuals who drive the ball without needed to roll to and through the launch point (Aaron Judge is another that comes to mind). He doesn't *need* to do it to mash. A lot of hitters use some movement as a timing mechanism (Brian Dozier's pre-swing barrel tip comes to mind).  

 

One of the things that has made Buxton so effective this year is his brief pause at the launch point instead of rolling through it into the swing. It creates a stretch point and the added ability to shut a swing down. 

 

But with all due respect, shouldn't Rowson and the entire analytics staff be able to see these same things?

 

 

The Twins have far more tools and people on staff to ID and create a plan of attack to solve. I'm certain they know this and more. They are likely trying to do things but it just takes time. 

[Parker Hageman]

Strib's Jim Souhan wrote a column today basically confirming that the Twins and Sano are essentially working on the hands. 

 

“We’re working on getting my hands into position,” Sano said. “We still have the second half of the season.”

 

 

and stuff from Falvey:

“Clearly there are some pitches that it feels like he’s not getting to, that he is capable of getting to,” Falvey said. “It’s not a question of bat speed. There are maybe some things with his load and the way his hands work behind that are going to allow him to be more on time.

 

“He’s a tick late consistently on some of the pitches up, and that’s the area I think he wants to be focused. Rocco said he’s been super-accepting and amenable to those conversations and making sure that he’s working smartly.”

 

 

You heard it hear first folks.

[SpicyGarvSauce]

 

Strib's Jim Souhan wrote a column today basically confirming that the Twins and Sano are essentially working on the hands. 

 

 

and stuff from Falvey:

 

You heard it hear first folks.

 

At least, from the quotes above, that Sano is open to working on and correcting the issues. It is comforting to know he isn't just sticking to his guns, and telling the coaching staff and others to take a hike.

[Badsmerf]

If he is willing to take direction, it is only a matter of time. The guy has talent. The internal debate I'm having is wether to let him work through it in the lineup, in AAA, or with lots of time on the bench. I lean toward the latter.

[Linus]

Just have him watch Garver in bp and then get in the cage right after and imitate him. He’ll never get that short and quick to the ball but he will get better