Case Study: Can you use data to become a good hitter?

One of the misconceptions in sport at any level is that coaches know everything. It’s easy to find someone who was a great player and feel like they have all the answers. I have been asked by a lot of people why I decided to play baseball this year and my answer has been: ‘to prove to myself I can hit at the senior level’. It wasn’t a smooth road. Teaching pitching is something I am really good at, and have been for a lot of years. However, I have had to work hard to understand how to coach hitting. My parents taught me to never tell someone to do something you weren’t willing to do yourself, so I figured if I can coach myself, I can teach anyone.

                                     Knees

I was an okay ball player growing up and played A or AA baseball all the way through, with only one AAA season where I hardly played. I played Junior and a short stint in Senior in Fredericton. In that short stint, I didn’t feel comfortable in the box, things felt too quick. Fast forward to 2023 and after 3 years since last playing (6 since senior), could I take what I’d learned and coached in Dunedin and New Hampshire, and turn it into a positive season?

It was almost over before it started, but I was able to find a team willing to give me an opportunity to tryout and take a chance on me. I am grateful to Darrell, Mark and Glenn as a staff with the Moncton Fisher Cats.

Now to baseball, and how I adjusted my training to the data I was receiving throughout the summer. I assessed myself to identify areas I physically needed to address. With the use of objective tests, my plan of attack was my core and hips. My knee and hip mobility, respectively, were low and asymmetrical as can be seen below.

Then I played some games, and it was not a good start. I had no issues seeing the ball or spin, but as I had in 2017, I again felt rushed. Here are the (poor, make that really poor) stats in a limited sample:

                                     Hips

0.111/0.2/0.311  (AVG/OBP/OPS), 33% K rate, 10% BB rate and 50% GB, 33% FB, 17% LD.

Really high strikeouts, and not driving anything hard. Time for change #1. Using Blast, a bat sensor providing swing data, it was clear I wasn’t creating enough rotational power. I tinkered a bit and found a new thought and stance that allowed me to generate more speed. That led to a much better line through the middle stretch of the season until Moncton’s 28th game.

0.270/0.333/0.603, with 23% K rate, 10% BB rate and 65% GB, 10% FB, 18% LD.

Still not good by any means, but at least with the good defense I was able to play, I was able to earn playing time. Looking at it even closer, I’m still not driving the ball and almost everything I touch is going into the ground. I was a shortstops dream, providing them with easy choppers where they could look really cool while making the easy play to first.

Hittrax Data - Sept 2

On September 2nd, I assessed myself using our new Hittrax, as can be seen below. Then, I went to a field with Blast and hit 2 buckets of balls off a tee. My exaggerated setup from change #1 was no longer allowing me to get on plane or stay connected, leading to me pulling across my body. I changed my setup multiple times that evening to try and get my hands to a favorable position at launch. Here’s the Blast data difference by just changing my setup with 20 as the lowest and 80 as the highest grade.

Blast Typical Swing

Blast After Setup Change

At this point, I have 2 months of mobility and targeted asymmetry physical training and a better hitting setup. The objective results I could control off the field are below. You’ll notice way better hip and knee mobility, as well as more uniform joint angles while performing a squat. Plus, Hittrax data shows me hitting more line drives and higher distances even with same avg and max exit velocity.

Hip Comparison – June 16 then September 3rd

Knee Comparison – June 16 then September 3rd

HitTrax – Sept 3rd Data

Would it all come together? Granted it was again a smaller sample size, and in the thick of play-ins and playoffs. My numbers over those final 5 games played however, were 0.600/0.636/1.436 with 10% K rate, 10% BB rate, and 44% GB, 11% FB, 44% LD. A huge boost from the player I was through most of the season. Though this .600 average is not at all sustainable, decreasing K’s, more extra base hits and the increase in line drive % are indications that my true hitting skill lies somewhere around a slightly above-average NBSBL hitter. My final overall line reads 0.317/0.378/0.744.

My season didn’t go as planned in many ways: I had to travel to play, I couldn’t make most games, and I had to watch the first elimination game from the bench (fair decision, I just like to compete). Plus, it was a tough season for the Fisher Cats, but we almost made some noise come playoff time and they will be much improved next year. I was focused on promoting winning ways and being a good teammate, and hope I made an impact off the field. On a personal level, I accomplished my goal to hit at this level, and am tempted to try again.

This is the approach we take at Launchapd Sports for developing better athletes. Assess, Plan, Progress.

If you want expert training, with objective and full-scope individual player development using data for baseball, volleyball or hockey ---- contact us so we can provide direction to your hard work.

Kevin McCarthy