The 6 th batter will have more RBI opportunities than #3 or #4. Track the games.
Bob
Interesting Bob. I'll start paying attention to that
One answer to attacking the 1st pitch is understanding that you are likely cheating on it being a fastball. Some guys like this approach while others not so much, and it really depends on individual pitchers and their tendencies. Personally, I found that the higher I played the less likely the pitcher relied so much on throwing straight FBs. I felt like I saw more FBs later in the count by not chasing the Sliders early in the count. Spit on a few of the good ones in the dirt, then get ready to do some damage!
However after reading through this thread, one thing is apparent. If it ain't broke don't fix it. I wouldn't recommend saying anything to a kid unless he is really, really struggling or directly asking for your help. And even then my answer wouldn't likely even be baseball/mechanic/approach/etc... related. This sport is dam hard, especially at high levels, and the more crap you have going through your head the worse your going to play (simple as that).
@Consultant posted:The 6 th batter will have more RBI opportunities than #3 or #4. Track the games.
Bob, Scott Spratt took a crack at this topic. The "Total" column is the expected RBI total of a hypothetical MLB "power hitter" at each spot in the order. The numbers are based on a 600 AB season for the 4 hitter, and adjusted for getting more or less ABs based on spot in the order. Lots of different ways to look at it, but this is an interesting analysis.
https://fantasy.fangraphs.com/rbi-and-batting-order/
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Great stuff guys love the discussion. I think you're more likely to get a first ball fb in your first at bat in the leadoff, 5,6,7,8 and 9 hole. After that it may depend on the situation and your previous at bat.
So now let's say you're 6 hole, 1st at bat and you're sitting 1-2 off a pitcher throwing 88-90 with 1 out and two on...what do you look for??
Which way is the wind blowing? Who is calling the pitch Catcher or Coach?
Is the pitcher throwing from the left or right? Does he wind up or short arm? Can I erase the back line in the batters box? Is the umpire consistent?
What is my role as a hitter? Answer “ to see the ball!”
Bob
So now let's say you're 6 hole, 1st at bat and you're sitting 1-2 off a pitcher throwing 88-90 with 1 out and two on...what do you look for??
First it really depends on how you got yourself into that 1-2 count, but as a general rule of thumb I would be expecting the pitcher to try and get me out by expanding the zone. This is usually done with pitches away. (2 on with 1 out = GB DP. A lot of guys struggle with rolling over the outside pitch) Very few pitchers bring heat inside with a 2 strike count, at least not on purpose. So yeah, I would be sitting middle away and looking to drive something to opposite field gap.
To further that line of thought, even if the pitcher decides to come in with heat on a 1-2 count, a lot of umpires don't give that side of the plate. So now your sitting even (2-2). The pitcher doesn't really want a full count (3-2). Now you got an even higher degree of likelihood the next pitch will be middle away.
ReluctantO'sfan I like your way of thinking. I, too, would be looking away...for a fastball. Id be thinking I can handle the inside fastball and anything hanging over the plate so would look fastball away and like you said, drive it oppo. I hate seeing kids rung up on the 0-2 or 1-2 with a fastball on the outside corner...
Would you like to predict the pitch? If you move up expect a "fastball" if you move deep expect a "change up". If you move off the plate expect a outside pitch, if you crowd the plate expect the fast ball inside.
If you swing a pitch out of the zone expect it again.
If you receive a "hanging" curve, do NOT miss.
Aaron and Clemente would swing at a "bad" pitch on purpose to receive it again. "control the batter's box".
Bob
@Consultant posted:Would you like to predict the pitch? If you move up expect a "fastball" if you move deep expect a "change up". If you move off the plate expect a outside pitch, if you crowd the plate expect the fast ball inside.
If you swing a pitch out of the zone expect it again.
If you receive a "hanging" curve, do NOT miss.
Aaron and Clemente would swing at a "bad" pitch on purpose to receive it again. "control the batter's box".
Bob
Brilliant post.
Bob i love your posts...always very thought provoking. So let's say the count is 0-0 and the pitcher makes you look really bad on x pitch...curve, slider etc....when do you expect it again?? The next pitch? 2 pitches later? Do you think pitchers and hitters are paying that much attention in college to recognize the hitter is up in the box on top of the plate. Or on the back line? I'm sure a good catcher could help with this too no doubt
The Catcher will observe the hitter "slight" change in his position. One of the best catching instructors in America lives near me and played on our Summer Travel team, played at U of Ok
and is now is the "Bench" Coach for the Orioles. We have often discuss the "strategy of the batters box". Placement of the batter's hands, feet, eyes, bat position.
If the pitcher has confidence in his control, he will like go inside and then outside!
Bob
@edcoach posted:Great stuff guys love the discussion. I think you're more likely to get a first ball fb in your first at bat in the leadoff, 5,6,7,8 and 9 hole. After that it may depend on the situation and your previous at bat.
So now let's say you're 6 hole, 1st at bat and you're sitting 1-2 off a pitcher throwing 88-90 with 1 out and two on...what do you look for??
It also depends on the situation. With bases empty you won't see a lot of 0-0 offspeed pitches in college unless the pitcher is really a junk specialist.
But with runners on second and third and one out you are very likely to see an 0-0 breaking ball because a walk here is not the worst result.
So with bases empty I would always sit FB when you intend to swing 0-0 and if you get a rare breaking ball you just take it because swinging on a 0-0 breaking ball with bases empty and making an out looks bad.
But with runners in scoring position it can make sense to sit on a hanger 0-0 (but still only swing at it if it is up in the zone).
@edcoach posted:ReluctantO'sfan I like your way of thinking. I, too, would be looking away...for a fastball. Id be thinking I can handle the inside fastball and anything hanging over the plate so would look fastball away and like you said, drive it oppo. I hate seeing kids rung up on the 0-2 or 1-2 with a fastball on the outside corner...
I've said it often here ... for most hitters vs most P's, I like to tell my hitter to get closer to the plate 0-2 or 1-2. It dares the P to risk coming inside when ahead, takes away the nibble outside corner call and makes it more clear to the hitter that a marginal outside pitch is truly outside. This ca really even the playing field when behind in the count.