Robbie Grossman is a minor league prospect of the Pittsburgh Pirates that made history this season by becoming the first minor leaguer to walk 100 times and score 100 runs in the same season since 2004. How’d he do it? By using a “professional approach”….something not so common for a young 21-year old.
Check out this video where Grossman himself describes his thoughts on his hitting approach:
Click for video
This past post on plate discipline gives some different insights on developing command of the strike zone, and Grossman says something similar:
When I’ve got a pitch to hit, I’ve been swinging. But if not, I’ve been taking it.
Sounds simple, right? Well, yes, the concept can be very simple, but execution is the key. Especially as you advance each level and the decision making process gets tougher and tougher – or, in other words, the pitchers get better. Hitters who control the strike zone and have an actual plan at the plate really do stand out – they know how to take an at-bat.
While you’re working on perfecting your swing, don’t forget about the strike zone and pitch recognition. In today’s game, plate discipline is becoming valued more and more. Work on it by putting yourself into different counts while taking batting practice and distinguish between looking for pitches to drive early in the count versus putting the ball in play with 2-strikes. Find different ways like this to shift your focus from swing mechanics to the seeing the ball, it’s release point, and where you’re making contact in the strike zone.
I’ll be returning to Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter, FL for my 3rd straight year, joined by former Major Leaguers Luis Aguayo (manager) and Dennis “El Presidente” Martinez (pitching coach).
Dennis Martinez, Luis Aguayo, Jeff Albert
“The Dean” hosts both the Florida Marlins and the St. Louis Cardinals during spring training, and then both of those teams’ Florida State League affiliates – the Jupiter Hammerheads and the Palm Beach Cardinals. That means there is a professional baseball game here almost every single day from April through the beginning of September. Let me know if you’re stopping by for a game!
We’re on our last road trip, finishing up the last week of the season. Spring Training plus 140 game schedule is a grind, but when the end comes, it seems like the season went by very fast.
Plans are up in the air for the off-season – winter ball, lessons, clinics, travel…lots of possibilities.
This is our last day in Sarasota, which has been the Spring Training home of the Cincinnati Reds. The Reds are moving out to Arizona next year, and I’ve heard a couple of things about what might happen with this complex, but I’m not sure. Here are some shots of Ed Smith stadium:
More shots from the stadium and a museum side trip below…
B.J. Upton, Evan Longoria, James Shields, Carl Crawford
Port Charlotte is spring training home of the Tampa Bay Rays, and summer home of the Charlotte Stone Crabs, which is Tampa’s Florida State League affiliate. This is definitely one of the best places to play (or watch) a game in the league, with Clearwater being my favorite place in the north division.
First impression of Tiger Town is that it’s a pretty nice facility. Stadium looks great, clubhouse is good, nice cages and weight room. We’ll have to wait for this afternoon to actually play though, because we got rained out for the second day in a row. I usually put up some pics of the ballpark but thought I’d try something different this time. Here’s a panoramic view from right field…can you tell it’s about to rain???
Our Daytona series just finished up with a rainout. Big surprise. We had a good amount of rain a couple of nights ago but got the game in after an hour and a half delay.
One of the neat things about the game of baseball is that it really is a small world. In this case, I was able to meet up with Daytona’s Jericho Jones.
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