Albert Pujols

thats an amazing clip, perfect mechanics

Thanks for the clip Jason!

Has Pujols increased the width of his stance over the last few years? More than likely I am just now noticing how wide his stance is.

What are the benefits / detractors of a wide stance?

I use Pujols as a model for my youngest son. If Pujols has any flaws, I can't see them!

You're welcome GFK!

Jason

I am always amazed at how long he keeps his bat in the zone. It is such a level swing. It seems when he mis-hits a ball it is a screaming single or double in the gap. A thing of beauty.

I agree on outstanding mechanics.. but level swing? I just don't see the path of that swing as level... slight upslope? yes.

A question?

Would Pujols be as good if he didn't finish his swing that way?

His swings are usually leveled. This is the difference between pujols and other homerun hitters. He don't just pull the ball, the ball goes all directions, and he hits for linedrives. This is why Pujol's just so amazing, and so clutch.

I don't know, PG. He has an awfully quick swing, but that extension has to count for some. His nice wide stance keeps him from over striding and limits his movement. I think we all love watching this guy hit.

quote:

Originally posted by PGStaff:
A question?

Would Pujols be as good if he didn't finish his swing that way?

PGStaff, what in particular are you referencing regarding his finish? (Please be patient with my ignorance.)

I once read a thread on the sEtPr0 site by Ny-Man describing the swing as starting with a flail and extending into a whip. More than likely I do not fully grasp the concept but Pujols swing seems to match the flail extending into a whip concept.

When I first came across the idea, it made me think of the cue “Short to the ball and long on the follow threw.”

quote:

Originally posted by Diablo con Huevos:
I agree on outstanding mechanics.. but level swing? I just don't see the path of that swing as level... slight upslope? yes.

A correct level swing plane is not parallel with the ground. Are you confusing the two?

GFK,

The finish of the swing is all things that happen from contact on. Including the high finish.

The only reason I brought it up is because there has been discussion where people have said it does not matter what happens after contact. While this is probable true in a scientific way, I've never seen a good power hitter who doesn't appear to finish the swing with authority.

quote:

Originally posted by PGStaff:
GFK,

The finish of the swing is all things that happen from contact on. Including the high finish.

The only reason I brought it up is because there has been discussion where people have said it does not matter what happens after contact. While this is probable true in a scientific way, I've never seen a good power hitter who doesn't appear to finish the swing with authority.

I guess I tried to read to much into the question.

I do know that the finish on a hitter's swing is a result of all that takes place up to contact. I would bet good money you see similarities in the finish of good hitters because they are doing lots of things the same up to contact.

I guess you could use the finish to evaluate the swing to contact. If the finish is off, the swing up to contact must have been off.

PG

Interesting question. I think that what happens after contact is a direct result of what happens before contact. While it may be true that what happens after contact may be irrelevant, the reality is that the finish was created by the start.

quote:

Originally posted by Callaway:
PG

...I think that what happens after contact is a direct result of what happens before contact. While it may be true that what happens after contact may be irrelevant, the reality is that the finish was created by the start.

Callaway, you said it a lot better than I and in a lot less words!

Based on my observations of MLB hitters some
extend and some hook after contact.

Here's Ortiz who is a pretty good power hitter hooking after contact:

[URL=http://photos.imageevent.com/siggy/hitting/pro/DOrtiz2002MIN_Double_SView.gif]

Great points. Can anyone think of a hitter that has a great finish but a poor swing? I think this will be hard at the MLB level because they wouldn't be there if they couldn't hit. But some hit better than others; maybe a pitcher that has a great finish but couldn't hit water of they fell out of a boat.

Try this...

LINEDRIVE-

i am not confusing the two... i assumed he was talking about a "level" swing (to the ground) whcih most people do talk about - that doesn't take place in MLB unless the pitch is across the letters... if he was talking level to the ball, that is fine... don't know what he meant...

Diablo,
A little of both, I guess. He keeps the bat in the plane of the ball longer than about any hitter I have seen. He is also swings with a more level(to the ground) swing than most.