This previous post was a directive to a USA Today feature where Albert Pujols explained his own swing thoughts and hitting mechanics.  More recently, there was an article after a Cardinal win where Pujols gave some more insights into his hitting approach and situational plan:

In that situation, my main job was to try and drive in that run however I could. Elevate the ball and try to hit it deep enough so Colby could score from third base. I wasn’t thinking about hitting the ball out of the park in that situation.”

It says a lot about the team hitting approach and is a good example when a hitter like that goes up there to get a certain job done, rather than just swinging for the fences.

“I’m putting good swings every at-bat,” he said. “That’s it. I’m not a home run hitter. I’m a line-drive hitter who is pretty strong and can hit the ball out of the park. I don’t tell myself that I’m a home run hitter. I go out there and try to use the gaps, try to hit the ball in the gap.”

I think this is a good general thought process for any hitter – hit the ball hard!  Simple enough.  Do your work in the cage driving the ball through the middle, and look to execute a plan in the game that allows you to perform the things you’ve practiced.  Your mechanics and approach should complement each other.

Hanley Ramirez is another guy who I’ve read some articles about this year, mainly addressing his approach now that he is in the middle of the order and more focused on driving in runs.  Here is one of those articles where Ramirez talks about what’s lead to his success and what approach he has been using:

“Working, working,” he said. “I’ve got my same routine every day. The same. I just try to be consistent and [have] good preparation before the game every day.”……………..What was Ramirez’s approach? Same as always. Go up the middle.