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THREAD: The past few days I've been obsessed with bat path, so I decided to make a long thread on it. That way everyone can understand the best movement solution compared to "knob to the ball." That cue may work for a little leaguer, but big leaguers aren't doing it #LearnToSlug
Before hopping into the gritty, often fought over topic of bat path, let me first establish some absolutes
Everyone's bat path is unique
Path is largely dependent on location of the pitch
A proper path should get the ball in the air, so swinging up is the best way to do it.
Everyone's bat path is uniquePath is largely dependent on location of the pitchA proper path should get the ball in the air, so swinging up is the best way to do it.
Gary Sanchez's path is elite and I've been looking close at his moves.
He starts his hands high and uses a "pump" to get them going. As he pushes them down, his rear elbow raises causing his rear arm to get into internal rotation. This sets his barrel in a "tip" position.
He starts his hands high and uses a "pump" to get them going. As he pushes them down, his rear elbow raises causing his rear arm to get into internal rotation. This sets his barrel in a "tip" position.
Once his barrel is set, his rear arm quickly turns from IR to ER and his elbow begins it's descent. This causes his hands to turn to palm up, palm down behind his rear shoulder. This position lets the barrel lay back behind the shoulder setting it into the "slot" position.
While his rear elbow is working downward, his torso is beginning it's turn. It turns against the front arm which is working upward, stretching out the muscles in the front shoulder.
Both arms are working in opposite directions in order to get the barrel on plane early.
Both arms are working in opposite directions in order to get the barrel on plane early.
As his elbow is completing it's descent, he begins to turn the barrel toward the ball. With the front arm and shoulders trying to work upward, the path ascends toward the ball, impacting it at near top bat speed.
Now, this is just one example of an elite bat path. But, if you look at almost all MLB hitters, the meat of this is there, it's just styled differently.
Pushing your hands to the ball may work, but it's not the most *efficient* way to swing a bat. #LearnToSlug
Pushing your hands to the ball may work, but it's not the most *efficient* way to swing a bat. #LearnToSlug
If you're looking for more content, I would highly recommend checking out @DrivelineBB's Driveline Plus videos as well as checking out Dustin Lind's Hitting Library which has all of @JerryBrewerEBHI's writing on bat path and swing plane
